Thread: 57 chevy P/U

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I just picked up a 57 chevy pick up that has a 76 nova front clip with a 72 350 in it. Is it really difficult to swith out the original distributor and put in a HEI system? How much larger is that distributer than the original?

Welcome to CHR br8kitoff........it is a mater of pulling out the old one and droping in the new one. Depending on what is there now you may have to remove the resistor wire and replace it with a #14 or #12 primary wire. I would point the rotor tip towards the firewall just for location. Then remove it (the distributor). When installing the new one make sure the rotor tip is in the same place as the old one was. You may have to use a screwdriver to line up the oil pump rod so it drops down all the way???? Hope this helps

How much firewall clearance do you have now? The HEI is a little bigger than the older caps if I'm remembering right, but i don't have them in front of me to measure.

If they moved the spindle/wheel centerline forward to center it in the fender opening when the clip was installed, you should have plenty of clearance for an HEI; if they set the clip so the wheel is in the original location, slightly to the rear in the wheelwell opening, it will probably be chancy, but you might get lucky; I think 3/4 to 1 inch is good, some guys have gotten by with a half inch clearance, it depends on how flexible you engine mounts are.

Originally Posted by Rrumbler

If they moved the spindle/wheel centerline forward to center it in the fender opening when the clip was installed, you should have plenty of clearance for an HEI; if they set the clip so the wheel is in the original location, slightly to the rear in the wheelwell opening, it will probably be chancy, but you might get lucky; I think 3/4 to 1 inch is good, some guys have gotten by with a half inch clearance, it depends on how flexible you engine mounts are.

UMmmm.. confusion on my part? but, what does this have to do with his distributor?

br8kitoff, maybe drop in to a parts store and ask to see a cap from a late 70's early 80's chevy v8 and take some measurements??? Or even a whole rebuilt distributor?? It may give you a good idea of the sizes and you won't have to get your hands dirty! LOL..

[QUOTE=34_40;445111]UMmmm.. confusion on my part? but, what does this have to do with his distributor?


the distance of the motor mounts in relation to the firewall. my guess is they put it where it belongs

Originally Posted by cffisher

the distance of the motor mounts in relation to the firewall.

AHhhhh.. now I see! LOL.. Thanks!

cant use stock mounts. too low and too far forward . the hei will need an extra inch or so. myself i would just run a unilite. same size as points.

Unilites are great dist.but be carful wiring them...Friend of mine burnt two up before he called for help

Geez, you guys running the engines with the distributor on the wrong end of the engine sure do have problems!!!!!

yeah but the sump on the ford is a bigger pia i did some major rosebud work on the clip in my shop truck.

unilites are easy. 1 12v+ 1 grnd green to coil . but NEVER put power to it without the ground !!!!!!

Should have corrected my post. I have 3 engine is the shop right now, none of them even have distributors!!!!

MSD also sells a small base dizzy....

Post some pics of the truck, and congrats on getting one, those 57 chevy trucks are one of my favorite styles, along with the cameo's too!

Originally Posted by br8kitoff

I just picked up a 57 chevy pick up that has a 76 nova front clip with a 72 350 in it. Is it really difficult to swith out the original distributor and put in a HEI system? How much larger is that distributer than the original?

Hey "br8kitoff" your in Bremerton, if you want you can come over and take some measurements off my 57' GMC im building. I probably even have a spare HEI distributor that you could use for mock up too.