Inliners International Forums General Discussion Electrical HEI question on gmc 302

Maybe someone can help me on this. I have a gmc 302 engine, it's a 1954, and is there a hei dist. that will adapt to this engine, and if so what engine would I get this dist. out of? sign please help, thanks Eric

Tom Langdon sells a "mini-HEI," which i am using on my 302. It works well.

God's Peace to you.

d
Inliner #1450

That mini HEI is a super unit, mine has been purring along for a few years. There are options though, a 250/292 inline HEI can be modified to do the same job, check with Buffalo Ent . Also Pertronix makes an electronic replacement for the points in your stock dist.
Check all the tech tips and get over to Stovebolt.com for more tech tips.

I put a Chevy 292, etc., HEI in my 302, it dropped right in with no problems.

I use a 292 HEI in my 302. I made a few mods to it though. I reversed the drive gear and replaced the 2 piece shaft with a solid one. Since I did mine I've seen others that use the 2 piece shaft with no issues so it's up to you. I swapped the gear around because the old dist was that way.

I put large diameter HEI (coil in cap, two piece shaft) in my 302 GMC. Followed a 12 Port News Sept 1984 article by Jake Firebach #219. Had to modify (file) the alum. shaft housing to look exactly like the original GMC distributor end to stop oil leaks. Also increased the HEI mechanical spark advance range from 14 (stock) to 24 engine degrees to really make the GMC go. My initial (600 rpm idle) advance is 12 deg and total advance is 38 degrees. It idles and accelerates great.

The only thing you must REALLY watch out for is the oil pump engagement. The later 292 distributors may not be long enough to slip all the way into the oil pump. That's why they need to be machined down a little from the clamp area. Buffalo (360 652-7684) is da man!
Ar

Dear Walt;

I think the teeth were the wrong pitch the other way, but that's a guess. I don't use HEI ignition unless required for the 'SMOG' test.

Good to see ya back.

My understanding is that the length of the shaft from the gear to oil pump drive tang is different between the HEI and stock 302 disty. I'd go check but I hauled all of my distys out to storage. I would imagine that turning the gear around is an easy way to adjust the location.