Distributor swap

lb23 · 03-31-2007, 11:17 AM

My 79 Chevy PU used to have a 350 diesel engine. I replaced it several years ago with a 73 Olds 350. I would like to replace the distributor with a HEI from a newer model. I don't want to use an after market dist.
What will fit the 73 Olds and give me the best mileage/performance?
LB

436'd skylark · 03-31-2007, 01:38 PM

Your best bet as you say is an HEI. It needs to be from an Olds engine though, Although they look in every GM make, they are specific to the engine family. you'll need to find one from a 75-80 olds. any 403, 350, 307, 455. The later model distributors will have computer stuff in them, and no mechanical advance. Not sure if the distributors are the same from a Big block to a small block olds, but I would guess they are. Should be easy to find one in a junkyard. I know of a bunch in the local yards.. EBAY would also be a place to check.

lb23 · 04-01-2007, 10:03 AM

Thanks Joe, any knowledge of which years/models are more desirable.

436'd skylark · 04-01-2007, 06:30 PM

Like I said before any HEI that is not computerized. There is no difference in the distributor between the years. There may be some difference in the timing curves, but none are really desireable. I'd rebuild it and throw an adjustable vacuum advance unit on and a weight kit. Oh, there must be some sort of ballast resistor or a resistor wire on your power to the coil wire that limits the power to 8 volts. You will have to lose that with a heavy guage wire to ensure a full 12 volts to the HEI. otherwise you will not get the full benefits of the swap.

03-31-2007, 11:17 AM	#1
lb23 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22	Distributor swap My 79 Chevy PU used to have a 350 diesel engine. I replaced it several years ago with a 73 Olds 350. I would like to replace the distributor with a HEI from a newer model. I don't want to use an after market dist. What will fit the 73 Olds and give me the best mileage/performance? LB

03-31-2007, 01:38 PM	#2
436'd skylark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buffalo Ny Posts: 627	Your best bet as you say is an HEI. It needs to be from an Olds engine though, Although they look in every GM make, they are specific to the engine family. you'll need to find one from a 75-80 olds. any 403, 350, 307, 455. The later model distributors will have computer stuff in them, and no mechanical advance. Not sure if the distributors are the same from a Big block to a small block olds, but I would guess they are. Should be easy to find one in a junkyard. I know of a bunch in the local yards.. EBAY would also be a place to check. __________________ Joe 89 K2500 Chevy, Wee-Oh-five 285K miles, completly rebuilt needs a motor, bad 1962 IHC Scout All Wheel Drive (Scout speak for locking axles) 152 ci, dana everything else

04-01-2007, 06:30 PM	#4
436'd skylark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buffalo Ny Posts: 627	Like I said before any HEI that is not computerized. There is no difference in the distributor between the years. There may be some difference in the timing curves, but none are really desireable. I'd rebuild it and throw an adjustable vacuum advance unit on and a weight kit. Oh, there must be some sort of ballast resistor or a resistor wire on your power to the coil wire that limits the power to 8 volts. You will have to lose that with a heavy guage wire to ensure a full 12 volts to the HEI. otherwise you will not get the full benefits of the swap. __________________ Joe 89 K2500 Chevy, Wee-Oh-five 285K miles, completly rebuilt needs a motor, bad 1962 IHC Scout All Wheel Drive (Scout speak for locking axles) 152 ci, dana everything else

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04-01-2007, 10:03 AM	#3
lb23 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22	Thanks Joe, any knowledge of which years/models are more desirable.