Hi all, I have an issue with the HEI conversion on my newly built aluminum block project.
The engine is on a run in stand, so I have plenty of access. It has been broken in and timed with a stock points distributor I had in the shop. When I got the motor it already had the HEI set up installed by Mr. Dan Stern ( it was in a car he built long ago). I replaced the Module, but used the same distributor/coil. The module is mounted on the plate under the oil filter, grounded with a castle washer and a ground wire .
So here's the issue, with the distributor wired and hooked up, (but not installed in the motor), a test lead on any plug wire, I can spin the distributor by hand and get a nice big spark. However once I drop the distributor in the engine, without disconnecting ,. No spark at any plug. I can even hold it in position just up out of the block enough for me to spin it and it will spark nice and big. Drop it in, and nothing.
Ideas??

Well, hey there! Glad to see that p'ticular aluminum block (and the new owner of D'Valiant, the car I put it in) surface.

Sounds like either a small wire with an internal break (flex the wire one way and it makes contact, flex it the other way when you drop in the distributor and it doesn't make contact) or a short circuit of some kind, maybe from the pickup coil to the body of the distributor, which is ungrounded when held in the hand but grounded when installed in the block. If you can rule out faulty wires, try a different distributor. See HEI upgrade for source pointer.

Let's have some pics of that engine (and D'Valiant), eh? What'd you find inside the motor when you opened it up?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Hey thanks Dan, I'm thinking it has to be a ground situation, or the pick up coil. I wasn't sure if the aluminum block had anything to do with it. I tried a different distributor (a later model 1976-80) and while it did fire up and idle roughly, it also refused to rev, as in no RPM gain at all. Very Odd.

I'll post pics when I can figure it out on this site (host site).
As for the motor, It was very nice inside, and realistically didn't need rebuilt. It was smoking horribly, but that turned out to be completely disintegrated valve seals.
I went ahead and did the whole thing anyway: .020 flat tops, big valves, ported head, milled .090, custom crower cam, custom made windage tray, etc.
As far as the D'Valiant, I own a resto shop dealing in Mopars, so when an offer comes in, well, You know, best laid plans.......
the aluminum motor will probably go in my 63 'vert with a 4 speed.

The ignition issue is definitely not related to the block being aluminum. As for the rough running with the other distributor, that could be the 2-wire distributor connector being reverse-polarised.

Hey, did/do you know Joe Schubarth (Persistent Enterprises Restoration in Sedalia)? Last I heard his health was poor…

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

yes, perhaps the wires are bad, I'm going to swap in a new pick up coil with better wires and try.

Yes We did meet Joe, about a year and a half ago, we bought a 1960 Plymouth ex-cop car from him, heard rumors of him being grouchy and not willing to sell. But nothing could be farther from the truth. He's a nice guy,
wanted to sell us more stuff. Sorry to hear about his health.

Here are some pics>

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... ohhksk.jpg
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... fhzuf3.jpg
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... bapwa8.jpg
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... le0kgd.jpg
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... kspu8k.jpg

What color is your timing cover / oil pan? I like it!

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

It is a custom made color from the Sikkens/Lesonal color books. Very pearl,
I can get the formula if you like. Its a client favorite.
Here it is in the light on a 51 chevy.

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... x11wzq.jpg
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo20 ... aycbqj.jpg

Let us know how it goes.
Certainly is -- and his business is well named; he is a real stickler for detail and getting everything right.
Me too.

Good to see that engine looking so spiffy. I scooped it up in '92 or '93 out of a '62 Valiant that's probably still sitting in the yard at Svigel's!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Finally got it working,I changed the pick up coil, and replaced the harness to the module. here's a vid. Keep in mind the intake/exhaust, valve cover and starter will all be replaced with the Clifford 4 bbl, 390 Holley, and Aussiespeed header, currently on the car.


https://youtu.be/hwajWspp27A