hei cap part#

got a new cap from checker and it doesn't look right.
the cap wants to go on almost completely backwards from the old one and is not wanting to go in due to hitting the manifold.
just don't want to grind any more off the manifold if i have the wrong part. its the same size and fits the same componants. are there evenfire and oddfire caps? oddfire was not an option for engine type. used a '75 buick regal for a vehicle.

thanks, chris

 

Chris: :? . I always thought the the 75-76 Buick Regal-Appolo were a 3.8L (231) OF. Yes there are EF HEI caps, but the above years use OF. That's where a lot of guys seem to get their HEIs' from. There has been a lot of disc. on the Board about them as a source. :? The PO put mine on and didn't replace the ft. man. bolt with a button head. I have to cut or grind off 1 hold down clamp on the cap. Doesn't seem to hurt anything. Jim

 

thats what i thought, maybe it is just this mfg.
i double checked the part # online at kragen and it was the same.
on the box it specifcally says 77&up.

chris

 

Chris: Very well could be. Right after I bought mine I replaced it with a GM cap and it fit fine, except for the hold down problem. Jim

 

Just noticed---maybe that's the problem. Should fit according to them, BUT you need a PRE-77. Just a thought. Jim

 

I had to rotate my distributor 2 poles to get enough room for adjustment. I did grind down the manifold some and used a button head bolt. I did not have to cut anything on the distributor but I am close to hitting the manifold. I have to make sure the hold down on that side is positioned coreectly before I put the cap on. If you rotate the distributor make sure you do it 2 poles at a time to kep the odd fire timing correct.
Lee

 

What was the part number from Kragent that you purchased and how much was it??

 

I bought mine from Advance auto. I asked for a cap for a 75 buick apollo with the 3.8L engine. They had to order it but it was in the next day. The rotor was in stock.
Lee

 

advanced/kragen/checker are all the same co. i happen to like the people at the checker here although we have advanced as well.
the part # i got and looked up myself is accel 8129
http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDet...rPartNumber=8129&PartType=192&PTSet=A

looked it up for a '75 regal. thats also what i asked for at the store. $19.99 for cap and rotor. there are several other mfgs listed so i may try one of those next.

chris

 

So what else do you need to have HEI ignition? I assume you need a coil, and new distributor shaft and housing that goes into the timing chain cover, right?

 

I pulled a complete distributor with plug wires, coil and cap from a even fire engine for the swap along with the button head bolt in the intake. Mine had been converted once before but the distributor shaft got bent so I had aready done some of the steps below. Buy a new cap, wires, and odd fire pickup from the parts store. Convert the distributor to odd fire with the cap and pickup then test fit the distributor into the engine to mark the intake interference locations. Grind down the intake and installed the button head bolt then the distributor. Bypass the ballast resistor at the firewall (I just screwed both green wires to the same side of the ballast resister the first time so I could convert it back if needed and then spliced the wires together when I rewired the jeep.) Start the engine and set the timing. You can also open up the spark plug gap to .045 for the HEI.
Lee

 

specify a 76 buick. i use skylark as the model. all the 76's were OF's. starting about mid 77 they switched to EF. if they don't give you a choice of 75, 76 0r 77 specify a VIN or engine" of "C" that seems to be the cutoff vin for the 77's

look at napa on line here

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...&PartNumber=RR194&Description=Distributor+Cap

 

yeah i know but when i double checked at the local napa they listed it separately with the same part#. of course i haven't installed the hei dist yet. but it matches the cap from the donor OF dist from a 76.

should have it installed in two weeks or so while i have my radiator out for recoring. sigh//

 

That accel cap is for EVEN FIRE. They say it is for 75-?, but it is a evenfire cap. I got one from NAPA, brass contacts, Was about $20. Specify 75,76 buick V6. NAPA CAP #ECHRR194. They had to order, but only took 2 days.

 

exactly! did the same thing.

see:
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...istributor+Cap