HEI Ignitions on the Inline 6 Chevy Engine

My 1966 Chevy G10 Van had been sitting for nearly 30 years when I got it. I converted over to a new HEI distributor instead of messing around rebuilding the original distributor. With New plugs and plug wires the engine popped right off.

Good to know. Which one did you use? I've seen several on eBay...

Great upgrade for the inline six. You can also widen your plug gaps to .045", and run a little more timing. For optimal performance, you can change advance springs and weights to dial in your advance curve. This would usually be done by trial and error at a dragstrip.

That's a neat little red van. It needs some cragars or mags!

I have never liked GM's HEI!! wont use one!! here's what i do use!!= http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-CHEVY-350-454-SMALL-BASE-HEI-READY-TO-RUN-DISTRIBUTOR-6701-R-/371113111566?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item566810b00e

also=http://www.ebay.com/itm/HIGH-OUTPUT-E-CORE-COIL-12V-2041-RED-/371163812887?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item566b165417


but!! if u must=http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-CHEVY-65K-RED-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-6501-R-/331169190781?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d1b38d37d

twinpilot, those are nice, but that is a v8 application.  I am running that exact distributor on my '68 camaro because there was not enough firewall clearance to fit a HEI.  Its a pro-comp, and uses HEI style internals.  pretty much the same thing without the coil in the cap.  Good distributor, but nothing special.  Made in china, just like everything else 'pro comp'. Came with no instructions, and also did not work with my tach. There is a frustrating lack of support for pro comp stuff because it is so cheap.

They all come from here: http://www.cnxianlong.com


The HEI is a good electronic upgrade for inline six.  Simple, reliable, easy to install and tune.  Sure is a hella lot better than points!

What specifically is your problem with the HEI anyway?  It has been my experience that it is a well designed, simple and effective ignition system, used by GM on hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

I just dropped a brand new HEI into the inline six in my wikivan.  Fired right up and runs great. Got it from ebay, so I'm sure its also mostly a chinese unit, but the seller claims the module is made in USA, and it uses standard HEI components which is handy for tuning and getting replacement parts easily.

I was looking at this one....seems mid pack pricing, there are ones for $69 and others at $159, says the gear is better, who knows?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-STRAIGHT-6-HEI-Distributor-194-230-250-292-CRT-PERFORMANCE-QUALITY-/351197184623?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51c4fbc26f&vxp=mtr

This was the HEI I recently bought and installed. http://www.ebay.com/itm/201164196072

Made in USA module, 50k coil, and a lifetime warranty! $70 shipped. It seems to be of good quality as far as I can tell. For what I paid for it, I'm quite impressed. I don't see a reason to spend more money.

Dont know why the Gman - name hasnt been reserved & put off limits in the joininng list??????????????

This is The Distributer I installed on the 66 230cid
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Chevy-Inline-L6-6-Cylinder-One-Wire-Drop-In-HEI-Distributor-194-230-250-292-/330584620634?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf860fe5a&vxp=mtr

I've dealt with KMJperformance before, good seller. I've purchased several items from them on different occasions. Also reasonably priced and fast shipping, which I love, because when I need a part, I want it ASAP. I think I may have bought a distributor for them also maybe a year or two ago.

This is the First Gen-1 Chevy van that I have owned. I also own a 1976 swb Chevy G20. I have owned a 1971 G10 SportVan and A 1973 G10 CargoVan in the past.
My 66 G10 needs a lot of work after sitting in the woods for many years but she has a strong heart. The carb was pretty clean and freed-up with the air cleaner in place. Something must have been living in the doghouse because there was remnants of fur on top of the manifold, I degreased the engine and washed the van inside and out at the local car-wash. The engine was freed up so I hooked up a battery and she turned over. I installed the dist,plugs,and wires. Removed the carb fuel filter (which was full of rust and dirt). The fuel pump was not working so I used a little funnel to fill the float bowl with gas. After a few attempts to start the 230 and a couple of backfires she took off and was running smooth on all 6. I just ordered a fuel pump this afternoon. I am working on the brakes and need to free up the throttle cable. As soon as I get the little G10 road-able, she is heading to the body shop.

Thats awesome dude! Way to go for saving the '66. You are truly bringing this thing back from the dea. I love the first gen vans the best. Would love to see some more pics, especially would be fun to have 'before' pics, since you are planning to fix it up.

Love to hear about the body shop plans. Thats really showing the old girl some real love. good for you.

Hey GMan ... Welcome in .... Glad to have you here with us .... it's kind of Ironic That you have selected the name GMAN on our forum... The name Gman  has been retired .. here on our Board .. The only diffrence is the  name that has been retired has a Dash in it Like G-Man ...... and that's the only reason ... you were able to register Your name like it is Now ..... were not trying to be hard to join up with here .. but we just Lost the Mayor of Vintage-Vans Last May OF THIS YEAR .... AND YOU GUESSED IT HIS NAME WAS G-MAN ...... Don't get us wrong .. we want to share all things Vintage vans Here ... But if you could Start over with a Different Name here ... it would be Greatly   appreciated here ..... by all of our members ..... Thanks' for your understanding .......  as the Name GMAN ... Will be Deleted ................. again ... Thanks' for your understanding in this Matter ......

Vanish ............

How about maybe you admin guys can help him change it to something like: GVANMan? Or G10Man?

would these be acceptable?

Or how about GDUDE

Sorry, but I can't change. I have owned GM vehicles all my life. I am an ASE certified GM mechanic. I worked at two different Chevy dealerships, and sold and installed tires at a Goodyear store in Chicago. I am here to make friends and share info, not be attacked and discriminated against my user name. GMAN stands for GM man, that's who I am.

Seems pretty simple to me.  Welcome to the forum, GMAN.

Maybe the other guys can give you a pass, and be understanding. The name is fairly universal, and obviously the username you chose was not taken or blocked when you registered. I see it as another hardcore vanner carrying on the GM tradition. I don't think Chris "G-Man" would have minded.

Thanks Kooky!!!

Welcome to the site.

GMAN wrote:Sorry, but I can't change. I have owned GM vehicles all my life. I am an ASE certified GM mechanic. I worked at two different Chevy dealerships, and sold and installed tires at a Goodyear store in Chicago. I am here to make friends and share info, not be attacked and discriminated against my user name. GMAN stands for GM man, that's who I am.

 HEY..!!!..Maby you dont understand "English" out of "RESPECT" for our dear friend Chris Hattswell (GMan) pick another name or find another web site..!!!...I will only say this once.. Now you can Never say you were Never told.!!!..You were asked nicely lets keep it that way..

I agree, out of respect for our lost Mayor G-man, that name here should forever be retired, in any shape or form...

but I think our new friend here came up with best solution that should satisfy all....

GMAN wrote:Sorry, but I can't change. I have owned GM vehicles all my life. I am an ASE certified GM mechanic. I worked at two different Chevy dealerships, and sold and installed tires at a Goodyear store in Chicago. I am here to make friends and share info, not be attacked and discriminated against my user name. GMAN stands for GM man, that's who I am.

What say you GMAN? instead of standing for GM man, be GMman! I can update your profile name with a few clicks of the mouse

Sounds good to me chebby. I'm really sorry that the "G-Man" passed.

as you can tell, we miss him very much

Thank You GMman...Welcome to VV..!!!.. ..This is Our "Friend" Chris (G-Man) on the right... ..