distributor replacement for 283

doug&scotts66 · 01-23-2011, 07:21 AM

rebuilding my 283. Anyone have any opinions about replacing my original distributor with a new hei distributor. I've seen them for as little as $40 + shipping and my old distributor needs some work. The motor is being rebuilt throughout. Any feedback on these hei distributors?

Hotrod Dwayne · 01-23-2011, 07:31 AM

I highly recommend you do it. With an HEI distributor you never have to worry about points again and you'll do away with the external coil. Kinda funny you posted this, I just finished putting together a friend's 1951 Ford pickup last night with a 283 Chevy in it... he insisted I put the points ignition back in it. An HEI is so much more dependable & clean looking, and all it takes is to connect your positive & negative wires from the old coil to the positive & negative prongs on the HEI, drop it in, change the plug wires, set the timing, and you're ready for years of hassle-free ignition.

doug&scotts66 · 01-23-2011, 08:44 AM

Thanks. Any recommendations in particular? I've seen them advertised new on e-bay for as little as $40...

Hotrod Dwayne · 01-23-2011, 02:43 PM

Well, in most cases you get what you pay for. Watch the $40 HEI distributors, they can nickel & dime you to death IF they don't come with everything you need such as the coil (mounts in the center of the cap), the rotor, cap, and ignition module. I'd buy one already set up to drop in & run. They have really came down in price, I need to buy one too for my '64 so i'll look around soon & give you some recommendations. Keep in mind the HEI distributors are bigger around than a points distributor, but unless you've wedged a 350 into a model A coupe clearance isn't a problem between the distributor & firewall.

Wheel Man · 01-24-2011, 12:36 AM

Go to a pick your part wrecker. I find them there for $5.00. Usually I grab another just to have a spare one. I got rid of the points in my 62 Biscayne, best thing I did. I can't even remember how to set points any more.

Bob Scott · 01-24-2011, 01:13 PM

Depending on your car you may want to look at some of the more compact HEIs. The older models didn't fit my son's 55 chevy. Clearance issues with the firewall.
He initially bought one of those conversion kits. Wasn't worth it!

Bob Scott · 01-24-2011, 01:16 PM

I missed Dwayne's post about the size. Neeeevermind!

01-23-2011, 07:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
doug&scotts66 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	distributor replacement for 283 rebuilding my 283. Anyone have any opinions about replacing my original distributor with a new hei distributor. I've seen them for as little as $40 + shipping and my old distributor needs some work. The motor is being rebuilt throughout. Any feedback on these hei distributors?

01-24-2011, 12:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba Posts: 159 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Go to a pick your part wrecker. I find them there for $5.00. Usually I grab another just to have a spare one. I got rid of the points in my 62 Biscayne, best thing I did. I can't even remember how to set points any more. __________________ 1962 Biscayne 18's +20's-Coys,disks all around,power steering,Ididit column lowered and having fun

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01-23-2011, 07:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hotrod Dwayne Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I highly recommend you do it. With an HEI distributor you never have to worry about points again and you'll do away with the external coil. Kinda funny you posted this, I just finished putting together a friend's 1951 Ford pickup last night with a 283 Chevy in it... he insisted I put the points ignition back in it. An HEI is so much more dependable & clean looking, and all it takes is to connect your positive & negative wires from the old coil to the positive & negative prongs on the HEI, drop it in, change the plug wires, set the timing, and you're ready for years of hassle-free ignition.

01-23-2011, 08:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
doug&scotts66 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. Any recommendations in particular? I've seen them advertised new on e-bay for as little as $40...

01-23-2011, 02:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hotrod Dwayne Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, in most cases you get what you pay for. Watch the $40 HEI distributors, they can nickel & dime you to death IF they don't come with everything you need such as the coil (mounts in the center of the cap), the rotor, cap, and ignition module. I'd buy one already set up to drop in & run. They have really came down in price, I need to buy one too for my '64 so i'll look around soon & give you some recommendations. Keep in mind the HEI distributors are bigger around than a points distributor, but unless you've wedged a 350 into a model A coupe clearance isn't a problem between the distributor & firewall.

01-24-2011, 01:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bob Scott Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Depending on your car you may want to look at some of the more compact HEIs. The older models didn't fit my son's 55 chevy. Clearance issues with the firewall. He initially bought one of those conversion kits. Wasn't worth it!

01-24-2011, 01:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bob Scott Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I missed Dwayne's post about the size. Neeeevermind!

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