Hey all, Old Skool Soldier here;

I have aquired an H.E.I distrubutor (accel) from my now crushed '84 Z parts car. I purchased a new cap for this distributor yesterday, and I would like to install it in my 83Z. Currently, my 83Z has a standard distributor. I gather I will have to remove the old distrib, and install the HEI one correct? I cannot simply remove the upper portion of the two distrib's, and swap them? Also, what would I need to add to my car, inorder to support the HEI distrib? I read something about running a wire to my tach? If that's the case, it wouldnt work, because my Tach is cable operated, right to the tranny..or is that the speedo...regardless, the speedo in my early third gen is cable driven lol. Can anyone please walk me through the procedure? Also, I suppose I'd have to screw with Timimg too, if I were to install this Distrib.

-OSS

 

No sure what you mean by standard dist..... I changed out my computer controlled coil in cap dist. for an older vacume advance non computer coil in cap dist., and the power wire and tac wire plugged right in. The computer wiring can be disconected at the computer box. I also changed the carb to non computer. I can now adjust my timing curve (springs & weights) instead of the computer timing curve. The 83 should be HEI to begin with, so I,m not sure what you are trying to do with the swap.

 

hrm, Let me rephrase this then, the distributor on my car currently, is lthe first image, and the one I was thinking of putting in, is like the second image.




-OSS

 

The GM Hei is a self contained distributor/coil in cap system. it needs only a switched +12volt power source to work.
Your 1983 camaro origionally had this type of distributor.
The thick pink 12v power wire should still be there in the wireing harness near the distributor.

The picture of the black distributor cap is the pre 1975 GM point style distributor. It uses a external mounted coil. Needing only a 12v power source connected to the coil + and the - side of the coil runs to the distributor.
Unless this distributor has been retro fitted with a electronic module or uses a extrenal spark box it will have points. Points require a "ballast resistor" or resister wire in line to limit the current flow thru the points. HEI's use the full 12v supply.Wgat ever wire is connected to the + side of the old external coil probily goes back to the right HEI 12v supply wire. (pink) Some one may have cut the HEI power connecter plug off. If so you can get one from an old post 1975 GM car at the wreckers.
The only other wire that needs to be connected is the factory tach wire. If your camaro has a factory tach the wire will be there in the wireing harness near the distriburtor.
Does the old distributor this is in your 83 have points under the cap or a module?