HEI distributor install help please

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memike

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So.. seems simple enough to me.. going to put this in my 1988 Ramchager, the old dizzy is worn out, picked this up at Petit Jean Mt.
I read this and I am still a bit confused on the ECU, do I leave it plugged in or just unplug and do this, ( copied from another thread ) wish I could see a wire diagram #-o

Any help would be great :color: Thank you :glasses7:

Remove the existing distributor, ignition box and ballast resistor.
Replace the coil with a 12V low resistance coil like the pertronix flame thrower II.
Connect the ballast resistor wires together, bypassing the old ballast resister and applying 12V directly to the plus side of the coil.
Connect the two wires from the distributor to the coil
 

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Yep, very basic Mike and I'll draw you a diagram and put it up in a few min here.
 
Yep, very basic Mike and I'll draw you a diagram and put it up in a few min here.

Thank you TrailBeast :cheers: I looked at all the wires and thought Dayum !! Surely I don't unplug my ECU :banghead: I could not find a diagram anywhere on here or the NET :glasses7:
 
Me and my 88 360 Ramcharger thank you
 

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Thank you TrailBeast :cheers: I looked at all the wires and thought Dayum !! Surely I don't unplug my ECU :banghead: I could not find a diagram anywhere on here or the NET :glasses7:

Actually that distributor completely replaces your ECU, so you could actually remove your current ECU and cut all the current ECU wires all the way back to the harness if you wanted.
If you want to leave it all and still run HEI go ahead, as it makes no difference.
You can prove all this to yourself if you want by unplugging your current ECU after it's running on the new distributor. (It should make no difference)

Either way, just wire it as this diagram shows.
Bypass the ballast if it has one.
 

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Thank you TrailBeast, I O U 1 Bud :cheers: this was a fast reply and has got to be a fast first for me :glasses7:

You are one of many members that spoil me here :color:
 
Thank you TrailBeast, I O U 1 Bud :cheers: this was a fast reply and has got to be a fast first for me :glasses7:

You are one of many members that spoil me here :color:

We put more effort into it for you. :D
 
We put more effort into it for you. :D
You and many others know me all to well :D Pictures work better in my brain then word do at times :toothy1: They say there is meds for it but I don't want any of that chit :D
 
One thing to consider with any non-factory ignition swap like this, is you wont find ANY parts for this distributor at most parts stores.......... you know like if your out traveling somewhere and have problems. With the factory stuff, or even the GM module swap, parts are everywhere.....just something else to think about.
 
One thing to consider with any non-factory ignition swap like this, is you wont find ANY parts for this distributor at most parts stores.......... you know like if your out traveling somewhere and have problems. With the factory stuff, or even the GM module swap, parts are everywhere.....just something else to think about.

I agree completely :glasses7: I will keep the old distributor with me and just let it get me home if that douse happen, It does work but has slop in the shaft :glasses7: I will leave all the oem stuff in place.
This is my daily driver to get gas for the mower or just drive a few miles at a time, so I won't be far from home :D
I picked this dizzy up at a swap meet last weekend at Petit Jean Mt. for $25.00 so I may as well test it and put it to use :color: plus ! Look at what I learned today :cheers:
 
for 25 bucks you cant go wrong unless the plug wires need to be changed. Good luck with it.
 
for 25 bucks you cant go wrong unless the plug wires need to be changed. Good luck with it.
I did not think of that #-o Well I guess I will carry my old wires in the truck as well RedFish.
I forgot all about that expense, I will call today and see the cost,
a member may have a set here for sale if they are crazy high at the auto parts store :glasses7:
 
A different cap for that dist'may be the simple solution.
 
A different cap for that dist'may be the simple solution.

This is a must do, I hope the caps are the same height, Should be though :color:
Thank you RedFish :glasses7:
 
Great find for $25, especially since it wasn't for SBC. Even the $45 ebay price for a new one is cheap enough to carry a spare in the trunk and forget the "no parts available" concern. How often do you break down right in front of an auto parts store anyway? You could also carry a simple points distributor in the trunk for backup (w/ ballast). Did your 88 Ramcharger have the "lean burn" spark computer? Those are notorious.
 
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