I recently traced a no spark condition to the electronic spark controller that was hooked up to the HEI distributor in my 84 c-10 truck.Sometimes it had spark then all the sudden it didn't. After I ruled out all the other ignition components, I unhooked the connector that gives the ESC power from the hot (pink ) wire that goes into the distributor,and then plugged the pink wire directly into the dist.cap. I then unhooked the four wire connector that feeds into the module from the ESC controller .The green and black wires were cut and soldered together and the exposed wires were then covered with heat shrink tubing /electrical tape. The engine now starts up and runs great .The ESC was shorting out. This is a temporary fix.I have been running it like this for six months ,and haven't even adjusted the timing. My question about this is,when I finally get around to fixing it right , do I need to replace the whole distributor or can I just replace the module with one from an older HEI?What about the weights and springs/ vacuum advance canister? Should they be changed?The engine is just a 305 with a th350c trans.I also replaced quadrajet with an older non electrical feedback one . I have completely removed the ESC and all it's wiring.
CK5
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BYPASSED ELECTRONIC SPARK CONTROLLER
- Thread starter 4xfrankie
- Start date
I'd just get a pre 1980 HEI with vacuum advance that has the 4 pin module...you should be able to find one at a salvage yard fairly cheap..
Can't seem to find HEI's around here anymore . It seems that those and quadrajets are the first things people take off . Didn't really want to buy a new dist. -too much$.Will keep on with the JYsearch ,though. You don't think I can install an earlier module in the dist. I have now? Geuss I would have to get the wiring and all that goes with the 4pin module . Got 900 bucks in the whole truck ,I'll probably just drive it.
I'm unsure if you could swap modules,but you'd be no further ahead if you could,because you'd have no spark advance,the 4 pin modules used a vacuum advance can instead of the EST module box and the 5 pin module..
I have a EST distributor I took out of an '86 305 van engine that I swapped into a '79 C10..didn't keep the "spark box" that goes with it though,because I had a complete HEI from the old engine to plop back in it..
I haven't had to shop junkyards for an HEI lately,I suppose all the old vehicles are scrapped out now,and not too many yards fill up old busses and truck bodies with loose parts like starters and distributors like they used too...swap meets and craigslist are probably where you'll find one nowadays..unless you find an "old" junkyard that hasn't crushed everything yet..
I see Rock Auto has a few A-1 Cardone rebuilts for about 41 bucks,but there is a 65 dollar core charge,not sure if they'ed accept your EST one as a core or not..
I have a EST distributor I took out of an '86 305 van engine that I swapped into a '79 C10..didn't keep the "spark box" that goes with it though,because I had a complete HEI from the old engine to plop back in it..
I haven't had to shop junkyards for an HEI lately,I suppose all the old vehicles are scrapped out now,and not too many yards fill up old busses and truck bodies with loose parts like starters and distributors like they used too...swap meets and craigslist are probably where you'll find one nowadays..unless you find an "old" junkyard that hasn't crushed everything yet..
I see Rock Auto has a few A-1 Cardone rebuilts for about 41 bucks,but there is a 65 dollar core charge,not sure if they'ed accept your EST one as a core or not..
I believe I still have a JEGS HEI (as well as an '85 spark control HEI) that is in good order and doesn't have many miles on it. I pulled it out because my FI conversion used the small cap dizzy with electronic control. It has an adjustable vacuum can and the Crane advance limiter installed. If you want it PM me and I'll check the garage.
My 84 does have a vacuum advance on the distributor,as well as EST , and this is confirmed in my 84 gm shop manual.Must be different than 86.The module for electronic diatributor is a sevin pin that came on the TBI engines . I thought all carbureted engines used on chevy trucks had vacuum advance.
The EST is there just to alter spark advance in the event of spark knock. It isn't a full computerized system . Now if my engine spark knocks(hasen't yet) I'll just adjust the timing manually. Like I said the truck runs great I've had the speedo pegged on the Interstate , no problems at all. Must have super high rearend gears cause I don't have overdrive. Any way although Idon't have problems with the way things run ,Idon't like to have things rigged like this.I have decided to go ahead and try a 4 pin module with the matching capacitor and wiring .Will also experiment with different vacuum canisters and springs/ weights to see if I can help performance, also . I am in the poor house and am going to have to wait till I can get from junkyard,don't want Chinese made crap .
Hw much you want for her?
Nothing, just cover $10 for the FedEx charge. I'll confirm that I have it tonight, and if you get me an address I can have it sent off first thing Monday when I do the shipping for my business.
