How do I change my HEI to a distributor?

Installing HEI Conversion Kits

Adjustable vacuum advance with a range of 0 to 22 degrees.
A new ignition module with wiring harness and capacitor.
A selection of advance springs and weights.
An ignition coil.
A distributor cap with solid-brass terminals and ignition-rotor button.

Do you need a coil with an HEI distributor?

A predecessor system called “Unitized Ignition” was optional on 1972 and 1973 Pontiacs. Most—but not all—HEI systems have the ignition coil mounted in the distributor cap. A control module and magnetic pickup are mounted in the distributor, in place of a conventional ignition system’s breaker points and condenser.

How do you fix pre ignition problems?

There are several ways to cure pre-ignition:

Run higher octane fuel. Premium gas rated at 92 or 94 octane is best for an engine with a compression ratio between 9.25 and 10.25:1.
Run the engine on the rich side.
Try playing with ignition timing.

What is pre-ignition caused by?

Pre-ignition is the ignition of the air- fuel charge while the piston is still compressing the charge. The ignition source can be caused by a cracked spark plug tip, carbon or lead deposits in the combustion chamber, or a burned exhaust valve, anything that can act as a glow plug to ignite the charge prematurely.

Where is the most likely spot for pre-ignition to occur?

chamber

How does pre-ignition affect the correct ignition timing of the engine?

When pre-ignition happens, something ignites the Air/Fuel Mixture during the Compression Stroke. This creates too much pressure inside the cylinder, too soon. The piston is then forced to compress already heated, expanding gases. Pre-ignition will cause significant damage without warning.

How do you know if your pre ignition?

A Method for Identifying Preignition 530246 Mild preignition can be detected, regardless of the location of the source, and the results also clearly indicate the difference between preignition and detonation. An oscilloscope is used to identify preignition; detonation is determined by its audible knock.

What are the factors that could possibly affect the pre-ignition knocking and burning of fuel?

Insufficient oil in the engine. Ignition timing too far advanced. Too much air/too little fuel (octane) to withstand pressures (too much air causes too much pressure for the octane to handle, too little fuel reduces the octane to handle the pressurized air)

What is the difference between knock and pre-ignition?

When Knock, detonation, or pre-ignition occurs, the air/fuel mixture is ignited at an improper time in the cycle. Pre-ignition is an uncontrolled combustion event which occurs before the spark event. Knock (pinging) is the actual noise that can be audibly heard if detonation is bad enough.

Is pinging bad for engine?

This is a car engine that has a ping. Also called spark knock, preignition or detonation. If left uncorrected it can ruin the motor. Caused by either a lean fuel condition, carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, over advanced ignition timing, wrong spark plugs, or overheating.