ebay HEI distributor-wrong size

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Feb 18, 2015 | 08:03 PM

mebe2k

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,062

Likes: 12

From: Ford, WA

ebay HEI distributor-wrong size

I ordered an HEI distributor for my 460...get it all ready to install on the engine, set it at TDC, rotor pointing to #1, on old dist..pull the old dist, put in the new hei one, and it fits fine until the last 1/2" or so..spin it back and forth, still no go. pull it back out, and compare it to the old one, and the oil pump shaft hole on the new dist. is 1/4", while the old one is 5/16". gear is also smaller..has anyone else had this problem? it looks like this one they sent me is for a 302..but in their ad, it clearly says 351c, 429/460. I think they don't know what this thing is for..every ad on ebay i find selling these shows this smaller shaft style distributor, but they say it will fit a 429/460..is it possible to swap the lower part of the shaft on these? or is it all one piece?

Feb 19, 2015 | 06:39 AM

redneck_davis

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 348

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From: Vidalia onion,GA

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...view/make/ford

This is my new one, it seems to be all one piece. And to swap a gear would be easy but the oil pump shaft not working...think youre screwed. Better send it back. I always worry bout messing w people like that off eBay, I'd rather spend my money on summit.

Feb 19, 2015 | 09:04 AM

84espy

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 1,398

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by redneck_davis

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...view/make/ford
I'd rather spend my money on summit.

Agreed. Refundability is always a good thing. I also ordered mine from Summit. Aside from the usual hassle of getting the old unit out, all worked out.

Feb 23, 2015 | 07:13 AM

mebe2k

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,062

Likes: 12

From: Ford, WA

Update: contacted the ebay seller (demotorperformance) , and they are going to ship me the correct part. should receive it in a few days..

looks like my HEI install will be back on track.

the reason why I am going with the HEI, is my truck's DS-II wiring is pretty much gone.. rats ate up most of the wiring that goes to the DS system...while I could rewire it, I figured the HEI would be an easier, cleaner looking route...The only thing I don't like, is the distributor will have to be removed for servicing the thermostat.. I will be testing and installing a good quality T-stat, before I install the distributor. hopefully as long as I keep clean, properly mixed coolant in there I should not have to worry about the t-stat for a few years..

Feb 23, 2015 | 12:55 PM

redneck_davis

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 348

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From: Vidalia onion,GA

Also check out that summit link. There was no possible way to clear that HEI with the stock thermo neck. It give you a part number to one that you still have to grind on but its thick enough to. The stock is paper thin.

Jus curious anyone with HEI watching this thread. My stock wire (one i used to my new HEI)going into the plastic clip over the coil had a pigtail off of it with an empty plug. I put my elec choke there. Is that OK to use it for coil and choke. Or robbing needed coil power?

Feb 23, 2015 | 01:16 PM

bkaul

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,761

Likes: 8

From: Knoxville, TN

If you haven't done a 3G alternator swap, the electric choke is typically wired to one of the alternator terminals so it will only be active if the engine's actually spinning, not just whenever the key is on: