J Mo

Has anyone mounted an original distributor cover over a HEI electronic ignition? If so what brackets or did you modify the original ones? I am mounting it to an Edlebrock eliminator manifold. and the brackets don't line up with any of the bolt holes in manifold.

Thanks, John

MelWff

Is this a small cap HEI distributor?

Easy Mike

Model year?

J Mo

1972

4-vettes

Later HEI equipped C3's have distributor covers with no issues. Perhaps just the larger cover from a later model will fix your issue, or, small cap HEI

4-vettes

Re read your post. Don't understand the issue of the bolts not lining up with the manifold. ALL manifolds have to have the same bolt pattern or they won't mount to your heads. Totally confused by that. My cover brackets mount with the rear most intake manifold bolts. Surly you must use these bolts???

jackson

Ignition top shield for 75-77

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https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...p-shield-75-77

7T1vette

The HEI unit will not fit properly with the stock dist cover and air cleaner on a 1971 or 1972 car. Installing a GM HEI is a good way to go for having electronic ignition in your '72, but it won't work with the other stock parts.

You could keep your original distributor and install a Pertronix (or other) electronic module in it. If you follow the directions for module installation, it will work just fine...until it doesn't. My point is that ALL electronic ignitions will give you a COMPLETE failure when they fail. Points ignition will almost always give you 'warning' with engine miss, etc. But you can still drive it home to make a repair--or just carry an extra set of points, condenser and basic tools to change it on the road.

You can purchase a smaller aftermarket HEI distributor; but finding one with a tach drive on it AND have it be a quality part are somewhat difficult to locate.

Good luck with your decisions. I have a '71 and have stayed with ignition points/condenser....for the same reasons you are dealing with now.

P.S. I think you might be able to fit a GM HEI in your '72 if you don't install the chrome cover. If so, you could modify (or fabricate) a cover that just goes over the top of the dist. for looks.

Easy Mike

FWIW: the 78-82 stock HEI covers clip on to the distributor top. No brackets to install.

Rescue Rogers

pleaae post some pics. The bolts holes are the same. Maybe you are just using the wrong holes?