Author Topic: SOLVED: HELP WONT START  (Read 18420 times)

Offline 78BIG-TEN

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 261
  • Newbie
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2015, 10:30:20 am »
Yep points system obsolete this day and age.Just leaving the key on with them closed can screw them up

Offline LTZ C20

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3795
  • "I'm here for a good time" -George Strait
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2015, 10:50:51 am »
I think the moral of the story here is, GM stopped using points 40 years ago for a reason. It sucks. Modern ignition coils on new cars now and even back when individual cylinders started getting their own coils, is all based of the reliability and efficiency of HEI ignition.
LTZ Cheyenne C20

Offline Dr_Snooz

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 684
  • "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff"
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #17 on: January 17, 2015, 09:04:35 pm »
Well, just to be the devil's advocate, a points distributor will still work after an EMP attack or a Carrington event. Can't say that for HEI. LOL
1989 Chevy Suburban V-2500, 5.7L, TH400

1990 Chevy C-3500 Ext. Cab, 7.4L, 3L80

2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT 4WD, 4.8L, 4L60

Offline Neospartan

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 22
  • Newbie
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #18 on: January 21, 2015, 11:46:30 am »
Thank you guys for all the help. Is there a HEI conversation kit you would recommend? I'm looking at HEI distributors and they range from 50-300 dollars, so I'm rather confused with what I need or should get.


Offline timthescarrd

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 326
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #20 on: January 21, 2015, 02:37:55 pm »
I've had a $45 ebay HEI for two years now with not a single issue.  Not sure on the changeover procedure casue mine had HEI already, and especially if you need to keep the smog system. 

You should also check on your choke to be sure it is operating properly

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 13333
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #21 on: January 21, 2015, 02:41:24 pm »
one thing about the hei is all you need a hot with the key on both "on" and "start"12v to the distributor and she will work lol
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Jason S

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1561
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #22 on: January 21, 2015, 04:39:07 pm »
An HEI swap will also require different plug wires. 

The original power wire to the + side of the coil "can" work for an HEI, but it is a resistor wire and should be replaced or bypassed with a non-resistance power supply wire.
1973 GMC K2500, Super Custom, Camper Special, 350, TH350, NP203, 4.10's
1974 Chevrolet K10, Custom Deluxe, 350, SM465, NP203, 3.73's

"1) Peace through strength; 2) Trust but verify; 3) Beware of evil in the modern world"

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 13333
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #23 on: January 21, 2015, 07:53:48 pm »
the 12v on a points system should be coming off the starter solenoid to the coil
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19184
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #24 on: January 21, 2015, 08:26:32 pm »
the 12v on a points system should be coming off the starter solenoid to the coil

This only supplies whatever available voltage the system has during cranking. Once the key is released from the cranking position the resistance voltage is applied. A fused key on & crank B+ source to the coil is required for an HEI retrofit
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 13333
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #25 on: January 21, 2015, 08:29:04 pm »
tanks vile  :-[
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Neospartan

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 22
  • Newbie
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #26 on: February 09, 2015, 12:51:34 am »
Okay so I purchased the second clear HEI I got it in the mail yesterday, now what wires should I get?

Offline Neospartan

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 22
  • Newbie
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #27 on: February 14, 2015, 05:30:08 pm »
HEI distributor is in, I connected the red wire from the distributor bat side to my existing yellow wire that was connected to the positive side of the original coil. I checked the wire for volts and it read 11-12. I spliced my red wire to the yellow and when I tried to start I heard a pop and everything went dead and nothing works. Checked the fuses under the dash they are all good. Dont know what's wrong now.

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19184
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #28 on: February 14, 2015, 06:48:53 pm »
You cannot use the resistance wire on the HEI

You need to run a fused 12V 12 gauge wire from a Key On source at the fuse panel to the distributor. Clip the resistance wire back and tape it up good same with the wire that goes to the R terminal on the starter. Check to see if you blew a fusible link.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Neospartan

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 22
  • Newbie
Re: HELP WONT START
« Reply #29 on: February 14, 2015, 10:49:56 pm »
Okay now what about my tachometer wire? I don't have a tachometer.