You originally show to hand crank the engine backwards when finding TDC but the engine is for sure turning clockwise the moment the tissue pops out of #1 cylinder?
I actually bought that exact distributor to out in my '68 400 that I'm going to slip into my '73 Firebird. Good to see that it works fine and is ridiculously easy to install.
For the life of me I can’t get the HEI install done on my 65’ lemans. Clearance issues with the vacuum can and the firewall. Moreover the wiring has been a pain in the ass. I messed up when I pulled my Mallory dual point, i didnt mark anything. Ended up cranking on her supposedly having it 180 out. My god it sounded like a mortar went off. Needless to say I put the project on hold for a couple months. Now I’m getting the itch to drive her since the weather is perfect. Time to readdress the poncho. Your vid makes me feel a little more confident. I’m going to put all my old parts back on for now.
Looks so much better with the traditional poncho mill sitting in there. My 69 gto came with a dual point set up when I originally bought it 31 yrs ago. Swapped it to an HEI and it now has an msd billet distributor and the msd digital 6 plus box. The bird sure is lookin good!!!
You have a spark jumping to or from your alternator bracket. Can see it arc when revving the engine. Watch the adjustment bolt from about 25:00 as engine is revved.
I bought a 66 389 and had it rebuilt and put it in my 76 formula. Haven't started it yet, but I see I put the vacuum advance on the wrong side and probably put the spark plug wires in the wrong spot on the cap. Thanks. Sbc guy here
@ArrowheadGarage absolutely. The 68 camaro of mine you see in my picture actually is a 68 firebird someone turned into a camaro. It has a chevy small block as well
Using that spark plug gap tool wrong. 😉 Don’t wedge it between the gap like that you can crack the porcelain. Use the gap in the tool to lever out the ground prong. Sorta like you would use the box end of a wrench on another wrench for more leverage. I Am probably not getting the point across this is hard to explain in words.
Depending on model and year of Pontiac the normal yellow or tan wire from the bulkhead gives 12 volts of it’s not a resister wire… if it is.. bypass it by running are new wire from the fuse box to the hei
You originally show to hand crank the engine backwards when finding TDC but the engine is for sure turning clockwise the moment the tissue pops out of #1 cylinder?
I actually bought that exact distributor to out in my '68 400 that I'm going to slip into my '73 Firebird. Good to see that it works fine and is ridiculously easy to install.
For the life of me I can’t get the HEI install done on my 65’ lemans. Clearance issues with the vacuum can and the firewall. Moreover the wiring has been a pain in the ass. I messed up when I pulled my Mallory dual point, i didnt mark anything. Ended up cranking on her supposedly having it 180 out. My god it sounded like a mortar went off. Needless to say I put the project on hold for a couple months. Now I’m getting the itch to drive her since the weather is perfect. Time to readdress the poncho. Your vid makes me feel a little more confident. I’m going to put all my old parts back on for now.
Looks so much better with the traditional poncho mill sitting in there. My 69 gto came with a dual point set up when I originally bought it 31 yrs ago. Swapped it to an HEI and it now has an msd billet distributor and the msd digital 6 plus box. The bird sure is lookin good!!!
That sounds like one sweet setup!! Little by little the ole girl is coming back around.
Those plugs look decent considering the engine was full of water to amazing how well it has held up. Any the shirt you are wearing is awesome!!
I think the Pontiac Gods just like me or something lol 😂
Awesome! I was worried an HEI distributor wouldn't fit back there on my LeMans. Good to know.
She is a TIGHT FIT… I mean like I was holding my breath getting it into place lol
You have a spark jumping to or from your alternator bracket. Can see it arc when revving the engine. Watch the adjustment bolt from about 25:00 as engine is revved.
Holy Crap you're right, thank you for letting me know! You rock!!!!
What did you do to fix that spark jumping to alternator bracket?
Sweet. Nice upgrade. Man that sounds awesome.👍
The idle is smoother and it runs so much better!!!
I bought a 66 389 and had it rebuilt and put it in my 76 formula. Haven't started it yet, but I see I put the vacuum advance on the wrong side and probably put the spark plug wires in the wrong spot on the cap. Thanks. Sbc guy here
Reminds me when I first picked up this ole Bird… I knew little about GM and I mixed up plug wires more times than I want to admit
@ArrowheadGarage absolutely. The 68 camaro of mine you see in my picture actually is a 68 firebird someone turned into a camaro. It has a chevy small block as well
You have leaky valve cover, gaskets that’s why you have oil on your spark plugs. You can see the oil on the front of your head as well.
Thanks for pointing that out, yep got new gaskets a few days after making the video. Thanks for watching!
Great video I love hearing that poncho run
Just swapping out to HEI the car runs better and has a smoother idle!!! Best $100 diy job thus far on the ole ‘67 Firebird!
He doing a whole tune up
While you're in there.... lol
My PerTronix D1200 advance is on the passenger side.
Using that spark plug gap tool wrong. 😉 Don’t wedge it between the gap like that you can crack the porcelain. Use the gap in the tool to lever out the ground prong. Sorta like you would use the box end of a wrench on another wrench for more leverage. I Am probably not getting the point across this is hard to explain in words.
What size motor is in your Firebird?
Currently a 1977 Poncho 350 until my 1967 400 gets built. Thanks for watching.
Did you have to remove the resistor on the 12 volt feed?
I didn't.. read both pro and cons to this... right now using the factory wire without any issues.
@@ArrowheadGaragewhat color is the factory wire (to the old coil?) that you plug into the distributor
not too bad. i prefer HEI the purest will not be happy you ditched the points
I am waiting for the HATE MAIL! Lol
@@ArrowheadGarage The saving grace I KEEP the OEM parts to restore if wanted-needed etc.
The same purist that thinks flat tappet camshafts are the best hahaha
What wire did you tap in to for your battery in the distributor?
Depending on model and year of Pontiac the normal yellow or tan wire from the bulkhead gives 12 volts of it’s not a resister wire… if it is.. bypass it by running are new wire from the fuse box to the hei
@@ArrowheadGarage What fuse do you put it on? Piggyback with something else? If new, what size fuse?
@@ArrowheadGarage69 Firebird, it’s the yellow or tan
Do you use different spark plugs for a HDI distributor then a regular points distributor
It looks like your valve covers leaking down onto those plugs
I noticed that as well, and gave them all a good tighting up.
Set it at 30
Oh lord bud get a fender cover.
Absolutely, once this girl has her new paint I will be using one! Thanks for watching!