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  • November 23, 2024, 09:41:18 AM

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Author Topic: Upgrading to HEI  (Read 6480 times)

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Offline uglywilly

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Upgrading to HEI
« on: March 06, 2014, 02:05:17 PM »
I'm having a spark issue on a wagon I just got. The PO replaced dang near everything with no luck, so I going to go to the bone yard and get an HEI. The Q is do I get a distributer from a Chevy straight 6, or find one off of a Cherokee or Comanche?  Thanks in advance!
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Offline Draekon

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2014, 03:03:19 PM »
You'll be looking for a HEI off of a 6 cyl Chevy motor.  You'll need to replace the distributor gear, though.  I believe you want to replace it with a gear for an AMC v8.
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Offline carnuck

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2014, 11:04:37 PM »
straight 6. 4.3 V6 won't fit. It could also be the stupid horseshoe connector on your coil.
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Offline uglywilly

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2014, 08:37:15 PM »
It just got worse, now it won't turn over :banghead:
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Offline Amc1320

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2014, 08:56:35 PM »
Did you do the HEI and then it would,tn turn over? Or have you not done it yet?
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Offline eaglefreek

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2014, 09:12:29 PM »
If you don't have a volt meter, it would be best to buy one and make sure you have power going to the right places. It would be better than throwing parts at it and hope it starts.
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Offline Nightpath

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2014, 11:41:29 AM »
Voltmeter can help fix a lot of issues. My whole ignition system toasted itself...I mean the WHOLE thing. Solenoid, stock AMC box (name eludes me), distributor...all died. It would sometimes start, usually not though.

Swapped it for an HEI from Skip White Performance and the problem was solved.

If anyone can remember the problems I had for 4 months over on Evo, they can attest to it. I dumped so much money into useless parts.

It's the best $50 fix AND upgrade I did to that car.
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Offline uglywilly

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2014, 12:17:17 PM »
Electrical stuff is my krypton!  The OP replaced starter, solenoid,  coil, and the ECM I believe it's called,but it is a cun and splice butcher job.  I'm gonna do the White HEI just to make it simpler for me.  Another Q, is the neutral safety switch on the tranny?



Thanks!
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Offline Prafeston

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2014, 01:05:05 PM »
ICM, Ignition Control Module. I believe.
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Offline IowaEagle

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2014, 01:18:29 PM »
Good point about the NSS -- how is that done with this set up, or is it just grounded?
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Offline vangremlin

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2014, 01:30:17 PM »
The neutral safety switch is on the transmission, with a wire leading to the bottom post on the solenoid (this is for an automatic transmission).  It shouldn't impact your new distributor.
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Offline IowaEagle

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2014, 09:27:18 PM »
Duh!  What was I thinking.  Yes the  starter solenoid remains in place.  Boy am I getting bad or what?
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Not a Jeep.  Not a Car.  Its an AMC Eagle!

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Offline uglywilly

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2014, 08:24:27 AM »
The engine won't turn over now and I noticed the PO has the bare end of a wire wrapped around a brass post on the bottom of the starter solenoid with the other end bare wire and unplugged, what a butcher job! So if that goes to the NSS, I've got to figure out which wire he had it twisted onto to get the engine to turn over again, right? Or can I just ground that wire to make it easier?

Thanks in advance!

Brant
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Offline vangremlin

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2014, 12:18:38 PM »
You can just ground the wire to make things easier.  Just don't forget to have it in park or neutral when you go to start it.
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Offline uglywilly

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Re: Upgrading to HEI
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2014, 03:37:09 PM »
After I ground the little brass nub thing on the solenoid, do I need to do anything with other end coming from the switch ( where ever it is)?
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