Ok,I've done searches and it seems there are 2 answers???So just a quick question for you pros cause I'm really new at this.WE've rebuilt a 1970's 350 block to swap into our 92 TBI Camaro.We are going over to carb so the computer will be scrapped.I want to buy a new distributor but don't know which of these to buy.Ives read here that Proform HEI's are a good buy for this type of motor.My question is they show an early style hei 1955-1982(66940) that has a 1 wire hookup and the other they show is part number (66941) for I guess the years after.The 1 wire one is forty dollars cheaper but is it what I need? Any help would be appreciated.I know I could use the one off my 305 but would rather go new.Thank you

Don

 

This is what I would do:

Go to a junkyard, find a '70s Chevy Anything with a small block in it (305, 350, whatever, doesnt matter) and just get the stock GM HEI distributor.

I say this because there really is no power to be gained by going to aftermarket igntion unless you are pumping out 4 figure HP numbers. Just get a stock GM HEI and rebuild it with new cap, rotor, springs, ign. module, etc etc... and you will be fine, and will save alot of money to put to something that will make more power.

The only real "flaw" of the stock HEI is the weak coil. Just be sure to get a good quality aftermarket coil for it, and it will be just as good as any aftermarket distributor. And ALOT cheaper.

 

I really would much rather buy a new.It seems to me searching on here, that by time you spend the money to rebuild or upgrade an old stock one, you've not saved that much money.That being said...I guess you would recomend the 1 wire one that says it fits 1955-1982? Anyone else?

Don

 

Actually, its pretty cheap to rebuild the old vacuum advance HEIs... far less than the $300+ you'd spend on an aftermarket one that you'd really get no gain from.

A cap/rotor set is about $30 canadian and a good aftermarket coil is about $80 canadian (I know this stuff, I work at a parts store) springs cost next to nothing... just pennies... as for the ign module, I can't remember, but it was fairly cheap too.

Thats Canadian money too, so if you are in th US, you can knock about 1/3 off that number above.

IMO, you'd be bucks and HP ahead by just redoing a factory HEI, and it would only take an hour or two to do the whole job, and its not a messy one either, cuz its just screws.

Just my $.02

 

If you'd like another opinion, call The Carburetor Shop. If they still do it, they rebuild HEI units to your specs and the quality is excellent. I ran one of their units on my old '79 vette for about 5 years (sold it). Never a problem.