GM HEI install articles for 6 & 8 cyl engines

[Elliott]

There has been some discussion about how to accomplish this for 6cyl engines and this article has some good info to keep in mind that will also help with doing a V8 install (if I find an article on that I'll list it also).
Go to: http://home.off-road.com/~club_4Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley/TechTales05.htm

For V8: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~olenik/jeep/hei.html

[ February 07, 2003, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: Elliott ]

[Elliott]

Added a link to the V8 install.
According to the one article you would want a pre 1988 HEI as they did not yet have the computer hook up.

[FALCONJ10]

Elliott:
I've been searching in that "alley" too.
Here are some sites that you may check.

hhttp://www.off-road.com/jeep/258ignition.
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/jnutter1.htm
http://www.tidesys.com/gmhei.htm
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/electrical/hei02/
http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/
http://custom4x4.tripod.com/jeepignition.htm
http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/tech/Engines/TSM-83-258-timing.txt

Hope you enjoy it.

[FALCONJ10]

Elliott:
Excuse me,
This site name was incomplete in the message.
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/258ignition.htm
Carlos.

[Elliott]

FALCONJ10,
Thanks for the links.
I'd found a V8 HEI (from '83) last night for $20 five miles from home and I was going to pick it up until after I read that in '83 GM went to computer ignitons. So, it's '82 and prior.
Read on another site, while chasing links, that one guy just took his AMC distributor and cut the top off, welded the bottom to a GM HEI and it worked fine. That seems like a pain though since you really just need to turn the shaft down (on the HEI) in two places on a lathe, then swap the gear to a '83 or later that was built for the larger shaft.
With the simplicity, reliability, and functionality of this conversion I don't understand why people want to complicate their ignitions and empty their pockets for for more elaborate systems. It's cheaper then buying new motorcrap, and you can get parts everywhere... even though you won't need 'em.
BTW, the swap for your 258 is just about a drop in. Betcha got some fine wheelin' down there Carlos!!!!

[PAJEEPER]

Originally posted by Elliott:
FALCONJ10,
Thanks for the links.
I'd found a V8 HEI (from '83) last night for $20 five miles from home and I was going to pick it up until after I read that in '83 GM went to computer ignitons. So, it's '82 and prior.
Read on another site, while chasing links, that one guy just took his AMC distributor and cut the top off, welded the bottom to a GM HEI and it worked fine. That seems like a pain though since you really just need to turn the shaft down (on the HEI) in two places on a lathe, then swap the gear to a '83 or later that was built for the larger shaft.
With the simplicity, reliability, and functionality of this conversion I don't understand why people want to complicate their ignitions and empty their pockets for for more elaborate systems. It's cheaper then buying new motorcrap, and you can get parts everywhere... even though you won't need 'em.
BTW, the swap for your 258 is just about a drop in. Betcha got some fine wheelin' down there Carlos!!!!Elliott,
Got any more details or a site about turning the shaft down? At any rate the HEI is something that can't be adapted to a 360 without machining right??

[Rogue]

I think I may have an easier solution to a V8 installation...i work 60 hours a week so everything takes me a while...i also have a line on high torque mini starters i'm looking to buy a couple dozen for a reduced rate waiting to hear back from supplier...also have a line on FelPro Rubber valve cover gaskets which I should be able to sell for $10 plus shipping ( summit = $15 + free shipping + $6.50 handling fee ) waiting to hear if supplier can do a couple dozen there also, lastly how much are Optima batteries going for? if I can get the I's dotted and the tees crossed with our battery supplier I can prolly throw them out there for around $100 ( local parts store selling for $149 ) later

[FALCONJ10]

Jeff:
I've been trying to understand what you wrote down but I don't get it.
If it is easy, why do you need somebody that "works 60 H/W"?
Who needs " a couple dozen for reduce rate...and Felpro Rubber Gas covert Gaskets"?if only is for one 6 or 8 Cyl.
What the **** is "the I's dotted and the tees" ??

What has to do an Optima battery with HEI install in 6 and 8 cyl?
Jeff,as part of the "I" in the "IFSJA" I found that if you can get for $100 (whatever it is????)what is selling in the stores for $149, I "prolly throw myself into" because the FSJ are expensive to keep them, but worth any $ you put in them "all over the world".(Do I believe this?).
Carlos

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Not hard to understand what RogueStar has posted, He may have a better way to do an HEI install, but due to his 60 Hr work Week can't get to it. He may have a line on other discounted parts such as: FelPro Rubber valve cover gaskets, Optima batteries. ;)

[Rogue]

yea! what Pete said ;)
basically just trying to do my part to keep the IFSJA engine running, I work as an auto mechanic and as such have access to good parts prices from our suppliers at work - which if I can swing it and buy in bulk would mean very good prices for all my fellow IFSJA members.
as far as the HEI - I was talking to an old racer a couple of weeks ago ( a fellow mechanic I know from a place I worked at ) and if his old books and brains are right than we might have a V8 HEI that drops in with no machining but...since it still needs to be proven I didn't want to put false information out there AND next time I have a day off to get to the junkyard I'll know more...

[FALCONJ10]

Jeff:
Thank you for your answer.I've got your point from the beginning,.... I just felt that I could press a little bit and got more information or at least "step on some toes", and somehow that will keep us alive on a boring sunday.
You are doing great job since you searching in an area were I believe we all are interested , specially if money is an "if". I will apreciate if you give us your input of the HEI vs TBI in terms of reliability, price, installation, etc.
I've seen since I joined IFSJA that this is one of those topics with a high criteria diversity.In fact, Elliot who started this thread is now checking some Motorcraft options ( now on dysplay 460 For* ignition ).
Jeff, however, What the **** is "the I's dotted and the tees" ??

Carlos

[Elliott]

Carlos,
That's an expression up here, means when everything is in order as in "ok, you got it all written up but did you cross all your t's and dot all your i's". If that makes sense.
In my travels I found a lot of cross cultural expressions magically were easier to understand after several large cervesas!

Jeff,
Thanks for looking into the possibilities.

And PAJEEPER,
I don't know much about it and will continue to search, from what I can tell it's not a difficult process to get one to fit and if you were in Pakistan you could probably find someone to do it on the road side with a file and the right gear.
I plan to pick one up and compare dimensions, but I do want to see what Jeff comes up with. I can't justify the $$$ for billet distributers and HD coil/igition systems for low rpm trail crawlin'. Plan to spend my money building for torque, while lots of guys race on Motorcraft distributors I don't care for the ignition and for the money GM HEI is the route to improved reliability, better firing, less clutter, greater parts availablity, etc.