Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question
| Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368888] |
Tue, 22 February 2022 21:15  |
Ken M
Messages: 32
Registered: December 2019
Location: Redding, CA
Karma: 0
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One more question to the brain trust... I’m in the process of installing Howell efi along with a computer controlled HEI distributor. This aforementioned computer controlled distributor (HEI) is replacing an old points distributor (that had pertronix installed). I traced a line through the rotor to the edge of the hatch before I pulled the distributor. I have not rotated the engine at all since pulling the original distributor. When I install the new HEI CCD unit, do I just need to insure that the rotor is oriented just like the old one was (in the pics below)? So the question is - if I install the new HEI unit so that the rotor is oriented the same as the original, am I good to go? Or is there some difference with the HEI that I’m not taking into account?http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p68477-points-distributor.htmlhttp://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p68476-distributors.html
1975 - 26’ Eleganza II
Unsure of what upgrades may have been done. I'm working on sorting that out in the coming months.
Ken Morefield - Redding, CA
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| [GMCnet] Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368889 is a reply to message #368888] |
Tue, 22 February 2022 22:26  |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Your only half way there.
Need to know as to which piston the pointer isat when you pulled it out,
Best to pull the number one plug and put your finger on the spark plug hole
and crank the engine till you feel the compression.( it is a 4cycles so it
is every other turn)
Then put the cap to # 1 and look at the Harmonic balancer for mark.
On Tue, Feb 22, 2022 at 7:16 PM Ken Morefield
wrote:
> One more question to the brain trust... I’m in the process of installing
> Howell efi along with a computer controlled HEI distributor. This
> aforementioned computer controlled distributor (HEI) is replacing an old
> points distributor (that had pertronix installed). I traced a line through
> the rotor to the edge of the hatch before I pulled the distributor. I
> have not rotated the engine at all since pulling the original distributor.
> When I install the new HEI CCD unit, do I just need to insure that the
> rotor is oriented just like the old one was (in the pics below)? So the
> question is - if I install the new HEI unit so that the rotor is oriented
> the same as the original, am I good to go? Or is there some difference with
> the HEI that I’m not taking into
> account?
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p68477-points-distributor.htmlhttp://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p68476-distributor s.html
> --
> 1975 - 26’ Eleganza II
> Unsure of what upgrades may have been done. I'm working on sorting that
> out in the coming months.
> Ken Morefield - Redding, CA
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368890 is a reply to message #368888] |
Tue, 22 February 2022 23:00 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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The initial setting for the rotor is the same whether it is a points ignition or an HEI. With the engine at TDC 0degrees on the timing mark, and the and the valves closed meaning the end of the compression stroke. The rotor MUST point to #1 spark plug electrode in the cap.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368891 is a reply to message #368888] |
Wed, 23 February 2022 06:37 |
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RF_Burns
Messages: 2276
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
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First, I'm assuming you bought the Howell kit with the ESC distributor included? If not, you need to modify the Howell wiring harness for the ESC distributor.
It may be too late, but did you note which spark plug wire cylinder # the rotor was pointed to when you pulled it out? Or maybe it was midway between two cylinders.
If you did note that and marked it down, then you can install the spark plug wires into the new cap using that information as your starting point. For example, if the rotor was pointing at #2 sparkplug wire on the old distributor, then start with #2 wire where the rotor on your new distributor is pointing and fill the wires into the cap from there... following the correct firing order and distributor rotation. So if the old distributor was firing to #2 cylinder when you pulled it, so will the new one.
I'm guessing you already know this, but just in case... There is a connector on one of the four wires going to the Electronic Spark Controlled distributor (ESC). This wire turns ON/OFF the ESC control in the distributor causing the timing to remain constant. In normal operation this wire stays at 0 (zero) volts during starting until the engine RPM exceeds 400RPM, then the ECM sends 5 volts on that wire to turn ON the ESC function in the distributor.
To adjust the timing first disconnect that wire's connector. This prevents the ECM from advancing the spark so it stays in at the base setting above 400 rpm. The timing marks are in a miserable location, so I found I could ty-wrap my bore-scope camera to a bracket and pointing at the timing indicator. With this setup I can clear see the timing marks on the screen from a comfortable position.
Don't forget to reconnect the wire!
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
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| Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368892 is a reply to message #368888] |
Wed, 23 February 2022 09:55 |
Tom Katzenberger
Messages: 399
Registered: June 2019
Location: Kingsville, MD
Karma: 4
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Guys,
Do you use vacuum to set the Dist to the most vacuum or simply use the hormonic balancer lines?
Take care,
Tom K.
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition
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| Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368893 is a reply to message #368888] |
Wed, 23 February 2022 09:55 |
Tom Katzenberger
Messages: 399
Registered: June 2019
Location: Kingsville, MD
Karma: 4
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Sorry, I should have said vacuum to fine tune the Dist.
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition
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| [GMCnet] Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368894 is a reply to message #368893] |
Wed, 23 February 2022 10:15 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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There is no vacuum associated with the distributor for fuel injection
Howell systems.
If you are only upgrading from points to HEI, there is still a vacuum
canister on that. Engine idle at 700 rpm has no centrifugal advance yet,
and full vacuum applied to the canister.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Wed, Feb 23, 2022, 7:56 AM wrote:
> Sorry, I should have said vacuum to fine tune the Dist.
> --
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
> Kingsville, Maryland,
> 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control,
> Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee
> Ignition
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368895 is a reply to message #368888] |
Wed, 23 February 2022 19:37 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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I never use the vacuum method to set riming. Start with spec then adjust from there using real world conditions. Usually this means adding more advance just shy of the point where tip in pinging starts to happen. However yours with computer control will be a different situation.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| [GMCnet] Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368896 is a reply to message #368895] |
Wed, 23 February 2022 19:47 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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At higher altitude one can power tune it be advancing the timing using the
rule if 1 degree per thousand feet.
I use this rule when crossing the Mountains from California each time on my
Carb unit,
On Wed, Feb 23, 2022 at 5:38 PM John R. Lebetski
wrote:
> I never use the vacuum method to set riming. Start with spec then adjust
> from there using real world conditions. Usually this means adding more
> advance just shy of the point where tip in pinging starts to happen.
> However yours with computer control will be a different situation.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368897 is a reply to message #368888] |
Thu, 24 February 2022 09:17 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Yes Jim K! I have 3 different colors of scribe marks to indicate sea level, high plains and mountains. Only takes a minute to set with a distributor wrench cool in the morning before heading out for the day’s drive, based on expected altitudes. Crude, but helps you get back some lost power and stay cooler pulling the grades.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| [GMCnet] Re: Swapping points/pertronix distributor for HEI question [message #368898 is a reply to message #368897] |
Thu, 24 February 2022 22:33 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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John,
I still h.ave the MSD Timing control and use it.
As a Kid in HighSchool, I took my mothers car to drag race and did verywell
as I took advantage of the 5,000 feet.
On Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 7:18 AM John R. Lebetski
wrote:
> Yes Jim K! I have 3 different colors of scribe marks to indicate sea
> level, high plains and mountains. Only takes a minute to set with a
> distributor
> wrench cool in the morning before heading out for the day’s drive, based
> on expected altitudes. Crude, but helps you get back some lost power and
> stay cooler pulling the grades.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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