Coil to HEI swap help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

thumperslpss · 01-08-2011, 09:23 PM

I am new to working on trucks (or cars) and have a 71 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevy Truck. I need to do a HEI swap. A friend of mine will help but only if I find out what wires, plugs and anything else I need to get this done. Please help if you can. Thanks

Shyguy · 01-08-2011, 10:04 PM

For spark plug wires you can use cut to fit Hei wires or I have heard wires from a 78 Corvette will fit.

I have used the cut to fit Taylor wires in the past.

When you run a new 12 or so gage wire from the unfused connection on the fuse panel put an in-line 30 amp fuse.

Set the spark plug gap at .045.

I have always used stock Hei distributors from '76 or so engines, but many on here have good luck with Skip White distributors off Ebay.

I am sure others will add more information.

thumperslpss · 01-10-2011, 01:00 AM

Thanks for the input so far, keep it coming!

butters_72 · 01-10-2011, 02:46 AM

on that wiring issue, what i did and have seen others do as well, is you already have a power wire going to your current coil, all you have to do it cut the end off and solder on the female blade connector and that will slip right onto the power side of the HEI coil. your current plugs will work with the new distrib but like shyguy said above you need to regap them to .045 the HEI puts out more spark than the old style and you will wanna utilize that. as far as the wires, i dont like the look of wires hangin over the valve covers, so all i did was go out and bought a set for a mid 73-87 BigBlock chevy (im curently running a 327) they wrap around the block well and work great. but im sure the make your own ones would do the same... hope this helps and good luck

PanelDeland · 01-10-2011, 08:51 AM

Don't just cut the wire,make sure you take the resistance part out to give you a full 12 volts.
I can't seem to link it fo some reason but if you search the FAQ's list that member Krue has compiled for us(It's at the top of the page in the FAQ Truck Tech section.),you will find several write ups to guide you thru the process.I did mine in about an hour but I was loafing.It actually took more time to find and pick up the parts than to do the conversion.

Longhorn Man · 01-10-2011, 05:34 PM

agreed, do not just put a connector on that wire. It'll run worse than with the points.

67gmcstepside · 01-10-2011, 05:51 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=148346

This is a great thread detailing coil to HEI conversation.

butters_72 · 01-10-2011, 07:19 PM

well mine was done on my ranger when i converted from the 2.9liter to the 327 V8 and there was no inline resitor to worry about, anyway, my truck runs great hope yours will too good luck

01-08-2011, 09:23 PM	#1
thumperslpss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lompoc CA Posts: 3	Coil to HEI swap help I am new to working on trucks (or cars) and have a 71 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevy Truck. I need to do a HEI swap. A friend of mine will help but only if I find out what wires, plugs and anything else I need to get this done. Please help if you can. Thanks

01-08-2011, 10:04 PM	#2
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Coil to HEI swap help For spark plug wires you can use cut to fit Hei wires or I have heard wires from a 78 Corvette will fit. I have used the cut to fit Taylor wires in the past. When you run a new 12 or so gage wire from the unfused connection on the fuse panel put an in-line 30 amp fuse. Set the spark plug gap at .045. I have always used stock Hei distributors from '76 or so engines, but many on here have good luck with Skip White distributors off Ebay. I am sure others will add more information. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E. Last edited by Shyguy; 01-08-2011 at 10:05 PM. Reason: Add information

01-10-2011, 01:00 AM	#3
thumperslpss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lompoc CA Posts: 3	Re: Coil to HEI swap help Thanks for the input so far, keep it coming!

01-10-2011, 02:46 AM	#4
butters_72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Geyserville CA Posts: 18	Re: Coil to HEI swap help on that wiring issue, what i did and have seen others do as well, is you already have a power wire going to your current coil, all you have to do it cut the end off and solder on the female blade connector and that will slip right onto the power side of the HEI coil. your current plugs will work with the new distrib but like shyguy said above you need to regap them to .045 the HEI puts out more spark than the old style and you will wanna utilize that. as far as the wires, i dont like the look of wires hangin over the valve covers, so all i did was go out and bought a set for a mid 73-87 BigBlock chevy (im curently running a 327) they wrap around the block well and work great. but im sure the make your own ones would do the same... hope this helps and good luck __________________ [B][COLOR="Navy"]BUTTERS 72 Chevy longbed C-10 72 Chevy 4x4 Longbed

01-10-2011, 08:51 AM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Coil to HEI swap help Don't just cut the wire,make sure you take the resistance part out to give you a full 12 volts. I can't seem to link it fo some reason but if you search the FAQ's list that member Krue has compiled for us(It's at the top of the page in the FAQ Truck Tech section.),you will find several write ups to guide you thru the process.I did mine in about an hour but I was loafing.It actually took more time to find and pick up the parts than to do the conversion. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-10-2011, 05:34 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Coil to HEI swap help agreed, do not just put a connector on that wire. It'll run worse than with the points.

01-10-2011, 05:51 PM	#7
67gmcstepside Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: jackson Posts: 676	Re: Coil to HEI swap help http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=148346 This is a great thread detailing coil to HEI conversation. Last edited by 67gmcstepside; 01-10-2011 at 05:53 PM.

01-10-2011, 07:19 PM	#8
butters_72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Geyserville CA Posts: 18	Re: Coil to HEI swap help well mine was done on my ranger when i converted from the 2.9liter to the 327 V8 and there was no inline resitor to worry about, anyway, my truck runs great hope yours will too good luck __________________ [B][COLOR="Navy"]BUTTERS 72 Chevy longbed C-10 72 Chevy 4x4 Longbed

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