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Technical Lowering an HEI distributor cap

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Neighborwood, Oct 17, 2016.

  1. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,274

    loudbang
    Member

    Posting these for Neighborwood.

    His caption with them:

    "The pictures with the original V8 HEI then the conversion and a view of the Cross fire manifold converted to Carburation.

    Below the distributor is an 83 Corvette FI cross ram ( Crossfire). It is converted to two 32 - 36 Weber carbs. Just right for a 305.

    All the things I did for the conversion is Interesting for a manifold which at its inception was a mistake in design in 1968. It was internally baffled the EGR was converted to the PCV entry point so gasses reach both sides equally then the manifold runners were opened up to match the 305 ports. To make the carburetors fit the manifold low points were filled with J B weld In an 1800# roadster I was friendly with the local tire store."

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    Rich S., MaxCubes, TFoch and 2 others like this.
  2. Neighborwood
    Joined: Nov 7, 2010
    Posts: 37

    Neighborwood
    Member

    MSD engineer I talked to quoted his remedy for the high cap problem. I did not go further because that was more then three times what I had in the whole engine, intake, manifold and carburetor setup. Had less then $4,000 in the whole car. That included 5 engine variations that sat in that chassis. 2 Toyota, 250 Chevy six, Jaguar six and the 305.
     
    Hnstray and loudbang like this.
  3. Neighborwood
    Joined: Nov 7, 2010
    Posts: 37

    Neighborwood
    Member

    Scroll down. Big Bang posted the pictures for me. Thank you Dick
     
  4. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    For anyone interested... This cap for sale on eBay...
     

    Attached Files:

  5. verde742
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 6,258

    verde742
    Member

    how much was it, are they readily available?

    I will need one like it, eventually ....
     
  6. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    $69
     
  7. Shadow Creek
    Joined: May 14, 2014
    Posts: 301

    Shadow Creek
    Member

    Got a link? I looked on Ebay but I guess I’m not using the right key words...
     
  8. Search: 'HEI crab cap' on the auction site.


    Phil
     
  9. Hombre
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 1,075

    Hombre
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  10. GearheadsQCE
    Joined: Mar 23, 2011
    Posts: 3,370

    GearheadsQCE
    Alliance Vendor

    Are there 4 and 6 cylinder crab caps for HEI?
     
  11. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 5,614

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    Not like the older HEI's, it takes a remote mounted coil.......................................................
     
    King ford likes this.
  12. GearheadsQCE
    Joined: Mar 23, 2011
    Posts: 3,370

    GearheadsQCE
    Alliance Vendor

    External coil okay for me. Just need the flat top side.
     
  13. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    Cap from 4.3 Vortec V6 can be applied to the base part the same way as V8 Vortec cap
     
  14. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    Let me know if you want a six cylinder HEI crab cap, can post one on eBay for same price
     
  15. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    I'm going to post some pictures of the process I use to make this cap...
     
  16. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    4.jpg Start with a cap from a 1976 Chevy C10 with a 4.1 250 six cylinder engine
     
  17. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb6.jpg
    Cut the top part off like shown
     
  18. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb8.jpg
    You will need to trim these tabs so you can insert the vortec top half
     
  19. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb3.jpg
    Use a flat yet course surface to smooth the rough cut... cinder block works good
     
  20. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb2.jpg
    Get a 1996-1999 chevy 1500 5.7 vortec cap and cut it shorter like shown... use same sanding block to flatten it even
     
    Driver50x likes this.
  21. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

  22. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb1.jpg
    You'll need to trim the webbing so you can insert it in the lower part
     
  23. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb12.jpg
    You may need to work around the inner edge with a hand file so the top part will fit snuggly in the lower cap
     
  24. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb11.jpg
    Insert the top vortec half into the lower 76 part.... You see the little rib that the red arrow is pointing to?... the cap must be oriented like this
     
  25. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb10.jpg
    Also... this screw must be dead center between the coil post and number 6 post
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2018
  26. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb13.jpg
    Get a rotor from same 1976 Chevy 250 motor..... you do not need to modify it
     
  27. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    bb14.jpg
    Before you glue anything... install the 76 250 rotor to your distributor and install your new low profile cap to the distributor. Spin the distributor with your hand to make sure your rotor is not getting stuck or hitting anything.. if it hits, you need to sand the upper vortec cap shorter and/or you have the top part pushed too deep in the lower part
     
  28. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    The hold down hooks need to be centered between the inner brass terminals... the square alignment tooth (green arrow) needs to be positioned as shown in relation to the upper vortec cap
    bb40.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2018
    fauj likes this.
  29. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    These are the instructions and diagrams I printed to customers when I was selling these on eBay...
    00ee5.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2018
    fauj likes this.
  30. MaxCubes
    Joined: Oct 28, 2018
    Posts: 49

    MaxCubes

    wiring if you want to use a vortec coil...
    00aa5 (2).jpg
     
    tb33anda3rd likes this.

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