"re-wiring" factory HEI car to run points distributor

[565bbchevy]

The only reason I'm considering points distributor is because the engine is already set up with one. The distributor has got an XR-i electronic kit so it's not true points but would still need a points style coil I believe

IMO save your money on buying an external coil, the HEI will provide a hotter spark, runs off direct 12 volts and drops right in your engine and already has a 50,000 + volt coil in cap, your car is already wired for it and cap and rotors are available at any autoparts store.
There is absolutely no benefit to going the route you are suggesting and in the end will probably cost more after buying a coil, mounting bracket, resister and wiring and definitely more wasted time.

Do those 327 heads have all of the accessory holes?

 

[Ribbedroof]

Only real advantage I see using the distributor you have now rather than an HEI is smaller cap, and you already have it.

One troubling thing to me is the instruction sheet has no hard voltage number target for the coil. Lots of mumbo-jumbo about ballast resistors, but no "final answer".

At least Mallory told people a number for their almost universally-hated Unilites

 

[Longroof79]

IMO save your money on buying an external coil, the HEI will provide a hotter spark, runs off direct 12 volts and drops right in your engine and already has a 50,000 + volt coil in cap, your car is already wired for it and cap and rotors are available at any autoparts store.
There is absolutely no benefit to going the route you are suggesting and in the end will probably cost more after buying a coil, mounting bracket, resister and wiring and definitely more wasted time.

Do those 327 heads have all of the accessory holes?

I think he mentioned that the engine has '70 LT-1 heads. I would also be concerned if they have the necessary mounting holes for brackets, etc.
I'm assuming they're a version of double hump heads. I know not every type of double hump heads has the accessory holes. Probably the earlier Corvette heads.
I think the '70 LT-1 heads are a good HP head, but again, the accessory holes.

 

[Ribbedroof]

I think he mentioned that the engine has '70 LT-1 heads. I would also be concerned if they have the necessary mounting holes for brackets, etc.
I'm assuming they're a version of double hump heads. I know not every type of double hump heads has the accessory holes. Probably the earlier Corvette heads.
I think the '70 LT-1 heads are a good HP head, but again, the accessory holes.

By '70, the SBCs all had accessory holes, as the switch to long water pump was complete (except Corvette)

 

[airboatgreg]

Fair enough, the only reason I was going to use points was because the engine was already set up with the distributor. Still considering just going HEI though.

I should have mentioned the distributor has an XR-i points-to-electronic conversion unit so it isn't true points that require the typical set-up procedure and maintenance

View attachment 179542 View attachment 179543

I get it. The nice thing about HEI is it is the best ignition system ever made. Parts are easy to get and you go from about 22K volts to 50K available volts. Back in the day one of the guys that worked for me had a Dodge Charger. He saved up enough money to buy an electronic distributor but didn't have enough to buy the wiring and the Mopar module. It was slow one day so I told him to drive it in the shop. We installed the Mopar distributor and I wired up a GM 4 pin module and a Toyota Supra ignition coil. We put it on the scope before and after. Went from 22k volts to over 50k available. He said the car drove incredibly better. Cured cold and starting issues. Just saying🙂

 

[pagrunt]

So many other choices than just points. Understanding the extra cost getting parts across the boarder but the investment it a better electronic distibutor pays it back down the road. One wire is better than multi wires with the ballast.

 

[ELCAM]

The early S10 coil would work for you too. 12V no ballast and no bypass wire from the starter 50,000 Volt output. Coil wire is the later HEI type you would use a sparkplug wire with a cutdown boot as the coil wire. Might get it for cheap at a salvage yard.

Edited to add: The posted diagrams for a point distributor are only going to go so far the distributor is basically electronic now. It will have 3 wires coming from it. the one to the coil, ground and 12 volts. So more complexity than the posted diagrams.

 

[Ottawa_LeMans]

I think he mentioned that the engine has '70 LT-1 heads. I would also be concerned if they have the necessary mounting holes for brackets, etc.
I'm assuming they're a version of double hump heads. I know not every type of double hump heads has the accessory holes. Probably the earlier Corvette heads.
I think the '70 LT-1 heads are a good HP head, but again, the accessory holes.

IMO save your money on buying an external coil, the HEI will provide a hotter spark, runs off direct 12 volts and drops right in your engine and already has a 50,000 + volt coil in cap, your car is already wired for it and cap and rotors are available at any autoparts store.
There is absolutely no benefit to going the route you are suggesting and in the end will probably cost more after buying a coil, mounting bracket, resister and wiring and definitely more wasted time.

Do those 327 heads have all of the accessory holes?

Thanks for all the feedback on the ignition system question.

I've decided to go with the HEI for all the reasons listed in the thread (already have the wiring, hotter spark, simplicity etc.)

And the engine's heads have accessory holes as the heads are 3991492 / 1970 LT-1

Colin

 

[39F]

492s are the over counter replacement head for 041,186,370 , pretty good cyl head slightly bigger port and flow alittle better too great score

 

[Ottawa_LeMans]

492s are the over counter replacement head for 041,186,370 , pretty good cyl head slightly bigger port and flow alittle better too great score

Thanks for the clarification! I had seen a few posts on chevy forums but was not clear as to what exactly they were.