Converted Pontiac Grandville to HEI Ignition from Points Ignition

Hi All,
Finally installed the HEI distributor I got around Christmas time. The entire process was much easier than I thought. I first removed all the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and coil. I then turned the engine to TDC #1 cylinder and set the timing mark at 0 degrees.

I marked the location of the rotor on the firewall. I then removed the distributor and compared the shaft length to the new HEI distributor. The shaft was about 1/4" longer on the HEI and thought this might be a problem. I then dropped the HEI distributor in and it seemed to fit fine.

Next I looked at the wiring. The wire to the coil is a resistor wire designed to drop voltage to about 9 volts to make the points last longer. Well, I checked this and had 12.5 volts. This seemed odd, but I went ahead and spliced it into the connector to the HEI distributor.

Now a trip to O'Rielly Auto Parts for new wires and plugs. To get the correct wires, they used a 1975 Firebird 455 as the HEI was offered in that year. The wires were inexpensive at $16. I bought 8 new AC R45TS spark plugs too.

Upon return, I put on the distributor hold down clamp loosely. Due to the higher voltage, I gapped the plugs at .045 (instead of the normal .030 for a points ignition). I installed the the plugs, distributor cap, and wires. I connected the old coil wire to the new distributor.

Next was to start the car. I started it and it ran fine for about 5 seconds. YEAH! I turned it off and connected the timing light to set the timing tto 12 degrees TDC. Then the engine would not start!

I had my wife crank the engine while I was holding the timing light and the timing was severaly retarded. I suppose the distributor turned during the first start.....forgot to tighten the hold down clamp.

I just grabbed the distributor and turned in counterclockwise about 10 degrees and then the car started. I set the timing, reconnected the distributor vacuum advance and reinstalled the air filter.

The first test drive was amazing! Smooth as glass. Idle perfectly smooth, and more power. This is a change I would highly recommend.

Suppliers:
I purchased the HEI distributor from one of the many sellers on Ebay. I cannot remember the name, but they are in Martin Tennessee,
O'Rielly Auto Parts for plug wires, plugs, and electrical connectors.

No more gapping points, dwell meters, coils, etc. This is one of the best changes I ever made.

Happy Motoring!
Brian

Pontiac Grandville Registry reaches 100 Members

What a great day. We have our 100th Pontiac Grandville registered today from Milwaukee Wisconsin! When I started this I had no idea how many or how fast we would get listings, but it has certainly surpassed my expectations. I guess I will have to start grouping them by name or state, or country!

Do not forget to check out Pontiac Grandville community at the link below.

http://affiliate.kickapps.com/22696/collectorpro

Brian
Founder
GrandvilleByPontiac
http://www.grandvillebypontiac.com

Hi Grandville Fans,

In a previous post I mentioned how far and wide Pontiac Grandvilles seem to be. Well, I just received a registry listing request from the Middle East. It seems there is a white Grandville in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates!. The owner mentions how special the car is and that they have owned it for 20 years! I contunie to be amazed at how many of these cars made it outside of the USA!

http://grandvillebypontiac.com/registry/0096.htm

Brian
Founder
GrandvilleByPontiac.com
http://www.grandvillebypontiac.com

Pontiac Grandville Update

Hi All,

Big Blue just got back from the repair shop. The flange on the left exhaust manifold was broken and the previous owner placed a clamp on it. It had a leak so the car sounded like a "clunker" when taking off. I found two manifolds on Ebay over a year ago and after going back and forth on wether to do the work myself, I decided broken bolts in the heads would not be easy to remove in my garage, so I sent her off.

While there I had them replace the rusted bolts on the right exhaust manifold and replace the parking brake cable and fix THREE leaks in the transmission.

Well, the exhaust is now quiet, the parking brake seems to work, but I am still seeing transmission fluid in three spots on the floor. They told me it was leaking at the pan gasket, the speedometer gear cover, and the rear seal. All were replaced. I hope this is just residual fluid leaking!

Tell me your repair stories.

Brian
Founder
GrandvilleByPontiac.com

http://www.grandvillebypontiac.com/