Points to HEI conversion or just swap to HEI dist?

[Sean Buick 76]

This is for a 71 Buick 350.

I want to either use a 6AL box with a later model HEI dist or use the Crane cams XR3000 points to electronic conversion (that I already have).

http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...ew=sku&N=304608

Since I do have a few spare HEI distributers including a brand new one maybe I should skip the xr 3000 and go with the HEI and 6AL.

What do you think?:BEERS:

[sbbracer]

If you decide to use the hei with the msd you will need to get the msd low resistance button that replaces the gm button. THe msd will heatup the gm button and melt the cap were it goes though the cap to the coil. You will also need a msd coil to be compatble. If you use the external coil you will need an adptor kit for the msd coil that will work with the hei cap. Msd sells a kit for this hei setup.

I use the msd kit with external coil. NOT CHEEP.! But I have not had any problems with the setup.

You will also want to use good non carbon core wires.

DAn

[Yardley]

Save yourself a TON of money, time and aggravation. Contact Dave at www.davessmallbodyheis.com

I wish I had done it before dicking with Pertronix and a GM HEI distributor.

[69GS400s]

get dave to do your distrib and fire it with your MSD box.

[Sean Buick 76]

Is there any point in going with a Daves conversion since I already have a new HEI dist to drop in?

I do have a MSD blaster 2 coil so I could use the above kit and the 6AL box, or did I miss something?

[71stage1conv]

That you're all set. Yes, use the HEI distrib, and if you want to use the MSD, just distconnect the wires to the HEI mod.:BEERS:

[Yardley]

Is there any point in going with a Daves conversion since I already have a new HEI dist to drop in?

You mean besides the fact that the HEI is big and ugly and has the crappy in-cap coil and lame module?

No. Not really.:RE:

[71stage1conv]

You are probably right Yards, but when he stated NEW HEI, I was thinking of some aftermarket unit (not a used piece of crap factory one).:BROW:

If you send Dave a stock unit for conversion, the HEI mod will have to be located somewhere off the dist housing, because the 350 timing cover doesn't have clearence. Not a big deal though...

[Yardley]

New, used or NOS, I will never be convinced to put an HEI on any car as long as I live. There are much better options, starting (and ending) with Dave's converted distributor as a trigger for an MSD box.

[69GS400s]

I went 12.39 with a stock HEI ....

....but went 12.19 with a small body Conversion (like Dave's but done by TSP)

[Yardley]

I went 12.39 with a stock HEI ....

....but went 12.19 with a small body Conversion (like Dave's but done by TSP)

2 tenths with just a distributor change!:TU: But I'd bet with someone who knows how to race (like Yardley) it would probably have been more like a half second change!:ROLL: :ROLL: :ROLL: :PANTS:

Hahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!

[sbbracer]

General Motors window type V-8 all makes
Full HEI conversion — $175.00
MSD trigger conversion — $135.00

You will need a curve kir for the weights to get the timing working right. I use the mr gasket weight kit. If I didnt like to tinker and do things my self I would go with the Dave setup. But you dont learn any thing If you dont try things you self. The msd comes with the kit to remove the original modual. The MSD jest plugs into the magnetic pickup in the HEI. Be sur the wieghts are free to move by using light oil to free up the weight advance on the shaft. Check and re oil 2 times a year.

If the distributers advance the same there is no et difference between them. The distributer it self makes no HP Its the setup that makes HP.

Also MSD 6AL has a rev limiter. For folks that race This will save the valves from getting bent in the water box.

Dan

[gsjohnny]

aw c'mon dan, what a few runs at 7500 or better......some just consider it r&d :LAUGH:

[69GS400s]

2 tenths with just a distributor change!:TU:

Well, OK. I also had the motor rebuilt and added alum. heads :DOU: :PUZ:

[sbbracer]

The one thing I like about the HEI over the old style is the wires stay connected to the cap better. They snap on very good and dont come off.
I have had a wire come out of the old style about the round befor the final.
The car just wont run the number. Never had a wire come off the HEI. I do think some one makes a cap for the old style for the new style wires. That would be ok.
Dan

[Sean Buick 76]

So if I was running a MSD 6AL setup anyway then whats the advantage of going with the pre-hei over the hei? The Hei dist fits fine size wise and I'd be using an external coil anyway

I'll take a picture of the new dist I have and post it on here.

I'm not trying to be a smart **s just want to learna nd do it right the first time. :BROW:

[Sean Buick 76]

What year dist is this? It came with the 71 motor I just picked up.

[LARRY70GS]

So if I was running a MSD 6AL setup anyway then whats the advantage of going with the pre-hei over the hei? The Hei dist fits fine size wise and I'd be using an external coil anyway

I'll take a picture of the new dist I have and post it on here.

I'm not trying to be a smart **s just want to learna nd do it right the first time. :BROW:


HEI's typically have alot of mechanical advance built into them. This restricts the amount of initial advance you can run with a given total advance. Buick V8's really like 12* of initial advance. If your HEI has 30* of mechanical advance (alot of them do), you'll be running 42* total at WOT, not good. The points distributors can have less mechanical advance (you need to pick the right one), or get Dave to custom curve one you send him.
www.davessmallbodyheis.com

Get the MSD trigger only option. It will come back like new with the right curve, and an adjustable vacuum advance for under 140.00 Tell Dave you want to run 12* initial, 32* total all in before 2500RPM, and 8* of vacuum advance. Dave will install an MSD magnetic pickup which is much more reliable than the stock HEI magnetic pick up.

[LARRY70GS]

What year dist is this? It came with the 71 motor I just picked up.

1111330 is from a 1968 350, it has 30* of mechanical advance, which is too much. see if there is a bushing on the advance pin. If not, you may be able to cut down the amount of mechanical advance by installing one. I would send that distributor to Dave and let him convert it to MSD trigger. Tell him you only want 20* of mechanical advance.

[sbbracer]

You could modify the weights to get the advance that you want. Dang it! Opps just gave up another secret. Should I stop?
Dan

[LARRY70GS]

You could modify the weights to get the advance that you want. Dang it! Opps just gave up another secret. Should I stop?
Dan

You didn't give up any secrets, you just teased us:LAUGH: Follow through and explain how. I know you can grind on them to get a little more advance and make them lighter. The advance pin in slot is what determines how much advance is in the distributor. If you could weld on the weights and change the shape, you might be able to limit how much they swing out, and the advance that way. Don't stop:TU:

[sbbracer]

If you could weld on the weights and change the shape, you might be able to limit how much they swing out, and the advance that way.

I take the old torch and heat them and bend them so they wont move as much and then re drill the pivot hole. This takes a little trial and error of corse. A little grinding may also be rquired. Its been lets see 1991 from 2006.99 since I did my HEI. I would have to do it again to be exact on how I did it. Ihave CRS and its getting worse.
Dan

[Sean Buick 76]

Thanks for the input everyone!:BEERS:

[Sean Buick 76]

So I am sending the new 68 distributer to dave to get the MSD stuff and re-curving!

I ordered a 6AL and a Blaster coil. Anything else I need besides good wires and plugs?

I'm getting excited, but I'd better get the heads ported soon....:BEERS: