Hey there,
I'm having aproblem with my HEI distributor. I just checked the BAT terminal on the distributor with the engine running and got 7.0 volts. I know it should be over 12, upwards of 12.4...

How should I wire this so that I can get a full 12 volts to the distributor? At this point I can't go WOT and I want to do some smokey burnouts..

Thanks,
Colin

Did you remove the ballast resistor?

Engine running, it's not a real valid test. The coil is constantly "pulsing" on and off as it charges and discharges and a typical Voltmeter can't keep up so it gives you effectively an "average" voltage.

That being said..... what year of car are we talking? If it's an older (~1974 or older) car that originally came with a points distributor then you need to rip out or bypass the old resistor wire to the coil (usually pink with while "resistor" lettering and a braided looking covering) and replace with a decent sized (12ga or better) standard copper wire to a good ignition-on power source. If it's a modern car you might want to trace it back and make sure it's not pinched, tapped into or otherwise mutilated or damaged and that it's supplying full battery voltage to the distributor key on/engine off.

hey guys,
Thanks for replying. The car is now running. I am still having the same problems as before although the car does run a bit better.

I'm pulling my hair out with this one. Changed the fuel pump, distributor setup and still no fix.. If you're curious the car is a '72 Vega with a 327.

Here's a link to my help thread on V8Monza.com.. if you can help, please do but don't feel obligated

http://pub52.ezboard.com/fv8hbodytal...cID=1988.topic

thanks,
Colin

hah, my friend had a problem like this, the spark was WEAK on his older nova when he swapped in a new motor (suprise, he put in an hei distributor!). pull out the ballast resistor and you should be fine

Chevys don't have ballast resistors.

They have a resistor wire. The ignition wire that goes to your 12v hook up at the dizzy, is a wire that has built in resistance.

Cut it off at the source, and run some 14 gauge wire to the distributor.

Resistor wires are usually only a foot long or two.

Also make sure the motor is well grounded to to body.

Run a ground wire from the engine block to the firewall.

The ground made through the engine mounts is not solid
especialy when you rev the motor. This will prevent a seized transmission shifter cable too. (electrolytic action)