changing a points distributor to an hei and wont start whats wrong?

Question

we have a 72 chevy c20 that pops out of the right side of the tailpipe only and also thru the carborater what can be the problem after changing the wires and plugs

Answer 1

If it worked before you did the changeover, then either the HEI system is bad or you buggered something up.

It easy to get a distributor off by one tooth, and that will cause major issues.

Make sure your plug wires are in the right spot.

Answer 2

Sounds like the distributor cap is wired incorrectly or the distributor is 180 degrees out of time.

Disconnect the power to the distributor.

Remove the #1 Spark Plug - Front plug on the driver’s side.
In this step, be VERY careful of the moving parts in the engine compartment! Bump the starter until the #1 cylinder is at top dead center on the compression stroke. You can tell the compression stroke by the air coming our of the spark plug hole. Align the timing mark on the crank shaft vibration damper to zero degrees.

Replace the #1 spark plug and wire

Follow the wire from the #1 spark plug to the distributor and note its location.

Remove the distributor cap

The rotor under the distributor cap should be aligned with the location of the wire for the #1 spark plug. If it is on the opposite side, the distributor is installed 180 degrees out. Reinstall the distributor with the rotor in the correct location

NOTE: The oil pump on this engine is driven by a shaft that aligns to a pin at the bottom of the distributor by its drive gear. If this is not aligned correctly, you will not get oil pressure and WILL damage your engine!

With the distributor cap still off, bump the starter again. Note the rotation of the rotor. This is the direction of the firing order.

Replace the distributor cap and check your firing order. If you have a factory Chevy intake manifold, it is printed on it.

Otherwise, the firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Don't forget to reconnect the power to the distributor

Answer 3

It's either your timing,or your wiring is not in order on the distributor. Also,I think you need to have a computer, with chip, and hei wiring before your can switch a standard distributor over to hei distributor.Firing through the carburetor is called advanced too far,firing through the tailpipe is called retarded too far. Check a mechanics manual to check on this information.

Answer 4

probably cross wired . your firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 . also when changing to hei you must replace the coil + wire from the fire wall to the dist with a 10ga wire.the factory wire is a resistor wire and wont give full 12v to the hei.

Answer 5

This happened to my husband. He had a regular "street Fire" distirbutor then he changed to an MSD HEI and he changed the plugs (were fouled), and used MSD wires. The popping through the carb stopped.