Examining the HEI distributor at night with the hood up can pinpoint any stray electrical arcing from the cap, wire connections, distributor cap retainer and connector terminals. Look for blue-white bolts of electricity jumping from pole to pole or from the bottom of the cap to engine ground.

The Chevy 350 firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. That means next to the number one spark plug wire will be the number 8 spark plug wire, the number 4 and so on in a clockwise rotation.

HEI uses no ballast resistor or resistance wire. In a GM HEI system, the module replaced the contacts of the breaker points and the pickup coil was substituted for the rubbing block and distributor cam. The ignition coil fires when the module shuts off voltage to the coil primary. This is akin to the breakers opening.

If you can get to, or remove your distributor, you should be able to see product numbers or visible markings on the outer casing. Failing that, a distributor can often be identified visually, so sending us details of the car and photos of the distributor should allow us to identify the exact model you need.

No, unless they’re somehow defective as installed. If you’re asking if aftermarket coils installed in a stock engine will increase horsepower, or reduce emissions, or increase gas mileage, or make the engine run smoother, the answer is no.

A distributor is an enclosed rotating shaft used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines that have mechanically timed ignition. The distributor’s main function is to route secondary, or high voltage, current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs in the correct firing order, and for the correct amount of time.

A distributor works closely with a manufacturer in order to sell more goods and gain better visibility on these goods. Distributors find wholesalers who will resale their products. A wholesaler works more closely with retailers to match their needs through buying products in bulk at a discount.