[redneckhotrods]

Here's what I did,I installed an hei dist on a 74 cj5 304 it will run as long as the starter is running ??? I'm totally lost on this one.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by redneckhotrods

Here's what I did,I installed an hei dist on a 74 cj5 304 it will run as long as the starter is running ??? I'm totally lost on this one.

Possibly a bad (or missing) ballast resistor.

While the HEI doesn't require a ballast, if the wiring hasn't been revamped for the HEI- the ballast could be at the root of your problem

Let us know what has been done, AFA wiring the HEI.

[redneckhotrods]

I just have a wire from the battery to the toggle switch and from the switch to the dist.

[redneckhotrods]

Almost forgot,I have a relay between the switch and the hei dist.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by redneckhotrods

Almost forgot,I have a relay between the switch and the hei dist.

Then I suspect that you've got the relay wired to a source that's not hot w/the key in "run".

Or, you're using a wire sourced from the starter's "I" terminal.

Is the engine well grounded to the battery and chassis?

[redneckhotrods]

Yep,it's well grounded and the switch and relay worked fine on the old dist.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by redneckhotrods

Yep,it's well grounded and the switch and relay worked fine on the old dist.

What happens if you disconnect the relay, etc. and run a jumper from the HEI "BATT" term. to the hot side of the battery?

[redneckhotrods]

Great idea, I'll try it in the morning.

[DoubleVision]

As mentioned, what`s happening here is power isn`t staying to the distributor after you let go of the ignition switch so no juice is present in the "run" position. I delt with this issue some years ago on a 65 chevy truck.

[Raufus]

Originally Posted by redneckhotrods

Yep,it's well grounded and the switch and relay worked fine on the old dist.

+1

or,

I'm not sure about your exact system, but your old coil wire probably has a resistor wire in it to knock the voltage down to around 9v. You can't run the HEI from there it needs 12 volts. Do you have that big ignition module mounted on the fender? The thick wire powering that is a good place to pull power from.

I don't know if your system is the same as this, but maybe it will help.

[redneckhotrods]

Here's the update,I replaced the ground to the engine block and put a direct wire from the battery to the distributor and it didn't change anything. I think there is something else wrong with it.

[redneckhotrods]

Well Cobalt you were right as usual,I tried wiring it direct again this time from the hot side of the starter solenoid to the distributor and it lit right up.
Thanks again.
Matt

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by redneckhotrods

Well Cobalt you were right as usual,I tried wiring it direct again this time from the hot side of the starter solenoid to the distributor and it lit right up.
Thanks again.
Matt

If it didnt work wired direct from the battery but works from the hot starter stud either you still have an issue or you had a bad connection on your battery connection. The hot side of the solenoid is just the other end of the battery cable.