Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Greetings, All,

I've done one distributor HEI conversion which looks original externally and used common GM components. It starts better, idles better and has improved fuel economy.

Problem is, it cost way too much and took too much machining. (Does this look familar, Eric? While his HEI conversion didn't look original, it also cost too much to make.)

I've got some ideas for V2.1 which might be more of a bolt-together. To try these, I need some core distributors I can modify.

I'll pay postage and if it becomes commercially feasible, you'll get one HEI back at cost of components.

jack vines

Jack,

Pardon my ignorance, what is HEI?

Are you looking for V8 Packard, or Clipper?

HEI stands for High Energy Ignition. It was a breakerless distributor made by Delco and used on GM engines in the 1970s. The coil is contained in the cap. The head of the distributor is big and this size limits it replacing a regular points type distributor. Here is a photo of one that is on my 30 Model A Roadster with a 283 Chevy engine. The cap, rotor, and coil cover were recently replaced with after market MSD parts.

(o{}o)

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JW,

Thanks for the education!

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Not exactly. GM made some smaller HEI distributors the same size as the early Delco caps and that's why I said mine will look original externally. Either Clipper/Autolite or Packard/Delco would be appreciated, as I'm trying to do kits for both.

jack vines

Jack, thanks for pointing this out. I guess I have only seen the large HEI distributors.

(o{}o)

Hey Jack, are you doing just V8's or I8's too?

Define "costs too much" and "too much machining".

As the owner of a machine shop, I might be able to help.

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The V8s will be first, but if it works, the I8s can be done next.

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Thanks for the offer. I need all the help I can get. The V.1 method requires combining distributor parts from a Chevy V8, Oldsmobile V8 and Packard V8 via some welding and lathe machining. The Olds V8 distributors are the most difficult to find in the Pik'nPull yards.

My current thinking is making the GM trigger system fit in place of the Packard points and continuing to use an external coil.

A plus will be if it all can be made to use the available GM vacuum advance cannister, as the Packard Autolite and Delco units are NLA.

jack vines

I need some education, too. Is a HEI better than a PerTronix and MSD combination? Which is the least expensive, or will be if you are successful, Jack?

Thanks,
Berrdi