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Hei Has No Room To Turn

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Snoops, Sep 25, 2020.

  1. Sep 25, 2020
    Snoops

    Snoops Making progress, slow but at least it's forward! 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Idaho
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    This has probably been brought up before, but when I search for HEI, there is way too much info. PO had installed an HEI, cap was just loose and as I'm finally getting somewhere with the wiring, I locked on the cap, and to my surprise, the assembly wont rotate more than about 5' :confused:, hits the head and valve cover. It's quite large in diameter (Late 70's even fire 231 in place of the original odd fire). Anyone had similar issues?, as it stands, I'm considering converting back.
    IMG_0050.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2020
  2. Sep 25, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    did you check the timing to see if it needs to advance more?
     
  3. Sep 25, 2020
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
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    Pretty common problem. Some of the same here. Wish the dist. shaft was just a little longer.
     
  4. Sep 25, 2020
    cayenne

    cayenne Member

    central Texas
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    Same here. I keep eyeing the DUI with the extended shaft but they are really proud of it.
     
    iharding likes this.
  5. Sep 25, 2020
    Snoops

    Snoops Making progress, slow but at least it's forward! 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Haven't got it running yet, still working on the dash, etc. plus no mufflers. Was just doing some engine buttoning up and noticed. Agree with Tim, wish the shaft was longer (and before anyone starts, please no one respond "that's what she said") :)
    I'll give it a try once it's all back together, just wondering if anyone else has had this issue or not.
    Thanks
     
  6. Sep 25, 2020
    Snoops

    Snoops Making progress, slow but at least it's forward! 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Holy cow!, just looked them up, they are quite proud.
     
  7. Sep 26, 2020
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I wasn't aware a long shaft dist. was even available.
     
  8. Sep 26, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Buick DUI Distributors – Performance Distributors

    445.00!

    Yes they are expensive. You also need to grind the intake and as you noticed, you dont get full rotation. The price of a Reman HEI runs about 150 bucks. I would do some research and see what distributor body fits and what is required to make this work to make your own. You could probably buy the parts or even an entire reman and transfer it all over to a longer distributor body for a lot less.

    What you're paying DUI if for the convenience of building you a custom distributor. I'm sure they are not making the distributor body. For drop in and no grinding it might be worth it to some for sure.
     
    iharding likes this.
  9. Sep 26, 2020
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    First things first. If you are able to rotate the dist even 5* that means you have clearance right. The restriction is when the raised hump for the hold down hits the head. The fix is to relocate the dist cap hump past the manifold bolt area and re-insert dist. It is a process and you do have to really understand the timing rules. You are working with an even fire which makes it much simpler than an odd fire.
     
  10. Sep 26, 2020
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    On mine the distributor cap hit front bolt of the intake manifold. I replaced the bolt with a button head cap screw which helped a bit.

    This past summer when we were getting ready for Colorado I had to make the distributor able to advance more. I cut off one of the four hold down screws on the distributor cap. I don't have any clearance issues now and the cap doesn't miss the fourth screw.
     
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  11. Sep 26, 2020
    cayenne

    cayenne Member

    central Texas
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    When I was struggling with timing and the fan clearance for the vacuum advance I went through the process of finding where my hei had the most freedom of movement, then clocked the distributor to that location with a lot of confirming and re-conforming tdc.
    i also shaved off some of the distributor cap and one of the 4 hold downs and it has been happy for a few years (other then burning out the module almost every summer).

    The extended shaft seems like it would solve the rotation problem and perhaps get the whole thing farther away from heat thus saving my modules. But right now that is a lot of money to replace something that works. I imagine next time I am replacing the module in 105 degrees on a hot engine, that thing may be in the shopping cart...it always happens when my wife is in the Jeep.
     
  12. Sep 28, 2020
    Snoops

    Snoops Making progress, slow but at least it's forward! 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks, spent a bit more time looking, and if I did these two things, it looks like I'll have plenty of clearance!
     
  13. Sep 28, 2020
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Personally - I don't remove that 4th hold down. Once you figure where it needs stabbed for setting your timing, you don't move it much and it only takes a little practice to line up the oil pump and slip it in. I mark the outside of the body for where #1 post is on the Odd Fire and work from there with the cap off.
     
    Rich M., Bowbender and 47v6 like this.
  14. Sep 29, 2020
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    This for sure. It works the same with the even fire dist. Some vacuum cans are adjustable through the front vacuum tube so you need to put the can under the radiator hose if you have this can. Keeps your fingers away from the fan.
     
  15. Oct 5, 2020
    teletech

    teletech Member

    Santa Cruz, CA
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    I'm glad to know I'm not the only one to have done this. I chopped mine down and carved on the cap some and haven't had a bit of trouble with it.
     
  16. Oct 5, 2020
    Deaner70

    Deaner70 Member

    Shreve, Ohio
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    we always took that front intake bolt out, then ground down the thickness of that intake spot where the bolt goes through, then use a flathead socket cap screw (bolt) in that front corner. Usually gives you all the clearance you need
     
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