HEI Distributor.

[Old Man]

My 69 still has the points type distributor and I would like to change it over to an HEI distributor. Do I have to buy a complete HEI distributor or can I just install the HEI cap and rotor? If I have to change the complete distributor assembly who makes a drop in HEI unit, where can I get one and how much do they run? I'm still new to the 1st gen and I appreciate all of your suggestions and help, thanks fellas.

[JohnZ]

HEI has a much larger diameter housing and cap, and may require some hammer work on the firewall to provide clearance; you'll also need to provide an ignition-switched full 12-volt source from the fuse block to power it (your current coil is powered through a special cloth-covered resistance wire that reduces the power to 7-8 volts).

The Delco point distributors work fine if they're in good shape, and are simple to rebuild and set up properly; they also won't leave you dead on the side of the road when an electronic module fails. Setting dwell once a season takes about three minutes.

[1968RSZ28]

HEI has a much larger diameter housing and cap, and may require some hammer work on the firewall to provide clearance...

Old Man -

Don't do it!  Please!  

Paul

[Old Man]

HEI has a much larger diameter housing and cap, and may require some hammer work on the firewall to provide clearance...

Old Man -



Don't do it!  Please!  

Paul

If it requires beating on the car to get it to fit it won't be going on my car that's for sure.

[1968RSZ28]

Thank you!  I just feel too many first generation Camaros are getting butchered to the point that they become almost impossible to restore properly.

Paul

[sam]

My suggestion is to send your stock distributor to Jerry MacNeish and let him rebuild and dial it in for you. You get a print out sheet of all info that you will ever need to know on it. Put it in and don't worry about it anymore. 

[rich69rs]

There is a high end auto repair shop in Gardnerville, NV (near where I live) and they have a Sun Distributor machine.  I have just recently had them convert both of the distributors in my '69 RS and my '66 Chevelle to electronic and eliminated the points by using the Pertronix kit and the proper coil to go with the new electronics.  Distributors were dialed in and curved on the Sun machine.  The Pertronix conversion (as well as similar offerings previously discussed in other posts in this forum) allows you to use the original distributor housing.  In my opinion, this is a much better way to go in that you don't have to "beat to fit, paint to match" like you will have to do if you go with the HEI unit.  The coil should also be upgraded and if you really want to add the finishing touch, don't forget about the spark plug wires and the plugs themselves.  The new electronnics will support platinum plugs if you want to pay the additional cost.

Also suggest that you read JohnZ's discussion in the previous post below:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=64.0

[Old Man]

There is a high end auto repair shop in Gardnerville, NV (near where I live) and they have a Sun Distributor machine.  I have just recently had them convert both of the distributors in my '69 RS and my '66 Chevelle to electronic and eliminated the points by using the Pertronix kit and the proper coil to go with the new electronics.  Distributors were dialed in and curved on the Sun machine.  The Pertronix conversion (as well as similar offerings previously discussed in other posts in this forum) allows you to use the original distributor housing.  In my opinion, this is a much better way to go in that you don't have to "beat to fit, paint to match" like you will have to do if you go with the HEI unit.  The coil should also be upgraded and if you really want to add the finishing touch, don't forget about the spark plug wires and the plugs themselves.  The new electronnics will support platinum plugs if you want to pay the additional cost.

Also suggest that you read JohnZ's discussion in the previous post below:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=64.0

Thanks Rich, looks like a good article.