Out came the 160,000 mile 305. In went a rebuilt '74 2 bolt 350 .030, new 64cc GM Vortec heads, edelbrock rpm air gap, 600 cfm.
I opted to use a HEI distributor with vacuum advance. I want to go back with the original distributor off the 305 tbi because my tachometer is inoperative. I think the tach is computered control and so is the timing. I know MSD sells a timing control module for this distributor. Can anyone help me on this one? I hope I'm not the first one with this problem.

 

I just did the same swap for my 385. I put in a new distrib from a '76 (IIRC) Camaro that was points/vacuum advance. The tach had me confused but all you have to do is throw a spade connector on the white wire that "used" to go to the stock coil (one of the two "plugs" that plugged into the coil) and connect the other end to the negative side of your coil. Voila! Working tach. As long as you have the vacuum on the distrib hooked up to ported vacuum on your carburetor it should control your timing advance no problemo.

If you'd like some pix or something let me know and I can take some when I get home this afternoon for ya.

Steve

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Steve's Trans Am Temple

 

I forgot to mention that the Camaro is a 1988 Sport Coupe. Originally it had a 305 TBI vin "E". The distributor was a late model HEI. This is the electronic distributor with the coil bolted to the intake. Can wire my early model HEI w/ vacuum advance to some wire that went to my original wiring?

 

Another question...Which headers should I use on my 74 block? Right now I have the factory manifolds on and i can't get to my dipstick tube because its on the left side now. Also just to let you know that stock gm manifolds wont fit on Vortec heads with out leaking. I can't get the last bolt in on the passenger side manifold because there is no hole for it. There isn't even a boss in which I can drill and tap.

 

Thanks for the tip. All I did was find the pink wire and white wire connector that went to my old coil. Then I ran a wire from the white wire to the tach connection on my distributor. It took about ten minutes for 3 months of frustration. Thanks

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1988 Camaro Sport Coupe: Orignally: 305 TBI 700r4
Now: 1974 350CI, 2bolt,.030 over, Badger Flat Head Pistons w/ valve relief, Melling high performance street cam, GM Cast Vortec Heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake, Edelbrock 600cfm w/ electric choke, GM HEI w/ vacuum advance, Weiand Low Profile Air Cleaner, Mallory 5 port Fuel Pressure Regulator, Mr. Gasket Throttle Cable Bracket, Corvette Shift Servo, 16" IROC Wheels, Every thing else is STOCK

 

Man look at your dist cap, Plug the wire that WAS on your old coil(tach wire)and plug it in to the one that says TACH.

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*91 Formula*