The HAMB has been at a fever pitch lately with discussions on various ignition systems. So now is as good a time as any to pose this one. Wondering if anyone has any experience with Dave Ray of Dave's Small Body HEI conversions. https://www.davessmallbodyheis.com Seems like a nice piece and viable alternative to the polarizing Pertronix setup for early distributors where you want modern electronic ignition but don't want an ugly HEI or modern looking distributor. This setup moves the module outside the distributor and uses an external coil. The website would indicate that Dave Ray is on a hiatus, at least for the short term. But is anyone else doing the same kind of conversion?
No experience but I did go for a look. Interesting reading on his web site. I sent him an email asking about his hand. That was a nasty bit of on my god what the heck was it that cause that medical expense and life altering event.
Poor guy seems to have quite a run of bad luck health-wise. Between the insane spider bite and now his hip being replaced after being shot in Vietnam, he's having a rough go. Of course, if he served in Vietnam, it's simple math that he's a fellow of a certain age and isn't a spring chicken anymore. I see if first hand with my Mom's partner, who is also a Vietnam vet and experiencing many of the health problems ***ociated with his service. Those guys are built different, tough as nails, but it is what it is. A quick search on the HAMB has limited info about the guy and the product. The product seems to get glowing reviews. The guy, well, that's a mixed bag. But it's hard to hold that against him per se. I'm sure if you ask my clients what they think of me, you might get some wildly varying opinions. As long as they respect me, whether they like me or not isn't paramount, only a bonus. I try to apply the same rationale when dealing with others.
I don't have one of Dave's. Truth is, it is pretty simple. A guy in Oregon modified mine. Stripped it out and installed the "donut" magnet pick up from an HEI inside. I mounted the module away from the engine in the engine compartment. Since I have a BUICK the distributor is a Delco. Works like a charm. Ben
Jim Linder would take the original distributor, use a Chrysler reluctor and pickup, and wires would run to an external GM module is a cool finned aluminum box. I had my old friend send his early 60’s 259? Stude distributor for modification. Worked like a charm. Was around 180? or so years back. I think may be retired from it now though, not sure.
Very cool. The Pertronix conversion is obviously very appealing because it retains the factory Delco/Motorcraft/Etc. distributor and appears basically factory (with the exception of the extra wire coming from it). Obviously, opinions on the HAMB differ greatly about them. I personally like them a lot and use them. Others say they're pieces of ****. But there doesn't seem to be such disagreement about the performance and reliability of the GM HEI, which seems universally revered for outstanding performance, reliability, value, and ease of use, and universally panned on appearance because it's *** ugly, and also perhaps because it's big and might cause fitment issues tight to a firewall or with multi-carb applications. A small-body HEI conversion seems like it could be the best of both worlds; vintage appearance, but modern performance, modern reliability, and commonly available and inexpensive parts. I would love to see someone do a tech thread (remember those on the HAMB?) on how to convert a Delco or other vintage distributor to a small body HEI. It can't be some super-secret formula, and the guys that are offering it as a service are getting older and not doing it anymore.
That's interesting with the Chrysler reluctor and pickup with the GM Module. The Chrysler "orange box" is probably on par or damn close to the GM HEI in terms of reliability and performance, provided they always have a good ground. They are not as easy to use though. The GM HEI is practically cheating; 1 12v power wire, and 1 for a tach if you want it. I have a MoPar electronic distributor with the orange box in my 57, as it as been for 20 years. It has been the absolute epitome of reliable and totally maintenance free.
I have been interested in these conversions for a while. In fact, ordered up the reluctor and pickup already and sitting on the shelf. Been on a few sites, and hope to try one this winter on a small block Chev distributor. I did adapt HEI module to the Duraspark system on the 351W in my 47, and it's been fine for last few years.
I had Dave convert an old point distributor for me when I had the 283 in my 55. It is a fantastic piece in my opinion. It did take him a while to turn it around, a month or two if I remember correctly. I found an old GM unit at a swap meet to send him and it looked rough. When he sent it back it looked brand new. The timing curve was exactly as I asked for it to be. I would still be using it if I hadn’t found another engine that came with a ready to run msd setup and box. I hope he gets better soon, I would like to have the distributor for my CJ3-A converted.
Buck Cleveland Distributor 541 929 4034 Tom Langston has done it for a Chevrolet inline. Don't see why it would not work for others. Ben
I’d imaging machining the reluctor to press fit would be straight forward, phasing it to the rotor might take some trial and error if you haven’t done it before. Also the position of the pickup/ Hall effect as well. I recall having to set the gap with br*** feeler gauges because the reluctor is magnetized.
Is that the module I see stuck under the distributor? That's slick, just sort of disappears under there.
Perhaps I missed it. I did do a search and only came up with sporadic posts concerning him and the distributors a**** other threads. No dedicated thread about his specific conversion. I'll go back and look again though
You might PM him or try through his website, if he’s not doing them anymore he might let you in on the process. Can’t hurt to ask.
Yes. I will snap a better picture. When it was in my 55 you couldn’t see the module without trying to find it. With the way the distributor is clocked and the vacuum advance can it was pretty much hidden.
Jim Linder converted an old Mallory(It’s been a long time but I think it was a YL model) for a 8BA for me once. It used the Mopar Reluctor and GM Module but the module was remotely mounted under the seat of my Model A it worked fantastic as well and was coupled to and old finned Delco coil. I think the weak link on those modules is heat, so remotely mounting it away from the engine heat seemed like a better idea to me.
I will see what I can dig up when I get a chance, on call at the moment. It IS a timely subject for me. Studying options for my daily GMC.
Yesterday I sent David Ray an inquiry after reviewing his web site. Description: Had to ask, what bit your hand? Interesting work you've been doing to the distributors. The link to find you is below. Regards. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/more-ignition-talk-small-body-hei.1274572/ This morning I received his reply which I'm sharing with you at this time. Brown Recluse spider. All 5 pictures were 40 hours, start to an hour before 1st operation. Hip will get done October 27, with full recovery by 01/01/2023. Shop should get back open January, if no complications. My experience with HEI, I worked directly for Zora Arkus-Duntov at Chevrolet Skunkworks as a performance engine design & development engineer, with both ignition and carburetor experience (I also worked developing Pro-Stock Dominator race carbs, and factory race tech at HOLLEY Carburetors). One day, Zora lent me out to Delco-Remy to get the then brand new HEI working right. 3 months of work, they were in production and working. I am still available via either email, or phone, and I can/will help answer ignition questions. I can't wait to get back to doing my conversions. I invented the small-body HEI.
That's a very impressive resume. Thank you for sharing that email with us, and obviously I'm sure I share everyone's sentiments that he will make a speedy and full recovery. It would be a real bonus if he found his way over to the HAMB to share some of his wisdom as well, or at bare minimum, just some awesome stories about being at ground-zero of some amazing automotive endeavors and working with giants of the industry. Sounds like he has a real p***ion for his work and has immense knowledge on the topic.
The neat thing on the small body conversions, is that the module is small enough to fit on the underside. When I decided to try conversion on the Duraspark I had, I wanted to leave it out in open for troubleshooting, etc. Found a heat sink from Vortec engine module/coil bracket, trimmed one fin off, and mounted it to bracket that I then bolted to intake, in front of carburetor. The heat sink is a GM 10474610 and is available by itself through Amazon, or other parts places. It's in the breeze, so to speak. Don't forget the thermal transfer paste.
I had him do a conversion on the distributor for my nailhead. His work is very nice and works fine. The only problem is his turn around time. I think he had my distributor for 8 or 9 months. For at least 4 months he was impossible to get in touch with either by phone or email. I had just about given up when the distributor showed up.
Sad to read about him being bitten by a brown recluse spider... I've seen what damage those little *******s can cause....
Here’s one from All-Star Products in Baldwin Park, CA. This one is custom made as they really like to sell one with a billet body. This one is for a 29 RPU that I’m working on. These use parts that one can pick up @ most DIY auto parts houses. I have 3 of these and 1 Pertronix. I prefer pointless ignition, but the cars battery has got to be adequately charged or it may not want to fire……
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