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Re: [oletrucks] HEI Conversion

To: livnrt@uswest.net
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] HEI Conversion
From: safesix@worldnet.att.net
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 18:31:41 +0000
Could be. At a minimum, the machine shop will have to 
set up the lathe for the collar grinding and O-ring 
groove operations, remove and shorten the tang 
(requiring it to be re-pinned to the shaft), and 
fabricate a billet clamp with allen head fasteners that 
will hold the distributor on the block. They will 
require you to provide dimensions for all of the above. 
If you have a friendly machinist, see what he will 
charge for the above. 

Jack / Winter Park FL
> wouldnt it be cheaper just to take it to a local machine shop?
> 
> Dustin
> 
> jack halton wrote:
> 
> > This is a fairly easy conversion. Buffalo Enterprises (see Chevytrucks
> > vendor links) does it for about $55 on your HEI core. Or Stovebolt has them
> > already modified for I think $125. Dimensions are the same for Chevy or GMC
> > inlines. $25 is a decent price for a core. Be sure the shaft bushings aren't
> > worn out, some 6 cyl HEI's had this problem,  which resulted from inaccurate
> > machining of the block mounting surface.
> >
> > Advantages of the HEI are: no points to set, super hot spark to the plugs,
> > full mechanical and vacuum advance, and if you ever need to replace the
> > module or vacuum can, you can get one anywhere. Accel, MSD etc offer a
> > myriad of fancy accessories for the HEI, as it came standard on so many
> > small block V8's over the years.
> >
> > The round collar is ground off the shaft, and the end tang is modified to
> > make full contact with the oil pump. They also groove the shaft for a
> > O-ring, to prevent oil seeping out around the shaft, and provide a new
> > hold-down clamp. Nothing is changed internally in the distributor. A new
> > primary wire from the switch (10 ga) is the only other change.
> >
> > The only negative on the HEI is that it looks like it came off a John Deere,
> > especially the integral coil versions (there is also a model that uses a
> > separate coil which can be mounted anywhere). And if you want to use one of
> > those fancy finned alloy pushrod covers, the HEI won't fit without grinding.
> > But it fits fine with the stock tin cover.
> >
> > I've had an HEI in my GMC for about 4 years without ever removing the
> > distributor cap. It replaced a Mallory Unilite, which looked cool but having
> > no vacuum advance didn't perform worth a crap.
> >
> > Jack / Winter Park FL
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Antonio R. Tijerino <antonio@innercite.com>
> > To: Ole Trucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Thursday, October 28, 1999 2:22 AM
> > Subject: [oletrucks] HEI Conversion
> >
> > > Hi Oletruckers,
> > >
> > > I went to a local car show last week and I saw a 1939 Chevrolet coupe.
> > > This car had a really neat engine compartment. The engine was a later
> > > 235. It had the following modifications. Dual split fenton headers, 4
> > > barrel aluminum water heated intake manifold with a 4 barrel carb of
> > > some kind, the water heated manifold was plumbed the following way: A
> > > water hose line from a "T" adapter from the Thermostat housing 3/4
> > > inches outlet to one side of the manifold and another "T" connector from
> > > the temperature sensor on top side of the head to other side of the
> > > manifold.
> > > It also had a arge HEI distributor with the coil on cap cap. I was not
> > > able to find the owner to ask questions, but I kept on wandering where
> > > the HEI distributor came from. Yesterday I had a chance to browse around
> > > the local pick'n'pull, the closest that I saw was a 1975 Chevy Nova with
> > > a 250 6 cyl engine, I proceeded to remove the distributor and noticed
> > > that the shaft and gear are very similar to the distributor shaft and
> > > gears of the 235 stock distributor. They want $24.95 for the complete
> > > setup, I did not get it because they are having a 50% sale this weekend
> > > and I also noticed that someone had already removed the electronic
> > > module from inside. I am going back this weekend to get one from another
> > > car or get this one if has not been take yet. All 250cid 6 Cyl Novas had
> > > this HEI from 1975 to 1979.
> > > To make a long story short, Has anyone out here done this modification?
> > > How much work or machining is involved?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Antonio,
> > > '53 3100
> > >
> > > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
> >
> > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
> 
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959

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