newer chevy distributer in older chevy car,what are these four plugs?
 

hello, I've been having trouble figuring out the wiring for my distributer.
i searched the forums for this and i did see anything that could help, so any info would be appreciated

the car is a 1970 Nova (points set up)
the engine is a 305 out of a 1988 Monte SS
I'm putting a HEI distributer into the car
so my question is, there are 4 wires going in to a plug coming out of the distributer (by the vacuum advance)
do i need this?
can i just remove it?
or is there a way to bypass it?
I'm attaching a picture to try and make this easier for everyone

That connection is for EST or ESC (Electronic Spark Timing or Electronic Spark Control). I see the distributor does have a mechanical advance mechanism, so it WILL work for you, but I'd have to look at the diagram for that system to see how to bypass the ESC or EST part of it. It may work just fine with that plug just left unplugged, but I don't remember for sure off the top of my head. :confused: :cool:

thank you, i really appreaciate it. i wanna get this thing runnin!

It's coming back to me just a little, :confused: :rolleyes: :cool:
IIRC, you unplug that connector to make sure you are in base timing mode in order to set the timing, so I think it will work just fine just left unplugged.

i set the timing before i decided to post about this problem, does that mean it will be off?

No, if it's running like that, you are good to go, :thumbup:

Actually, a 1988 Monte would have had a CCC distributor WITHOUT the mechanical or vacuum advance mechanisms, so this distributor wasn't original to the Monte, either. Most likely this distributor came out of a mid-1980s Chevy truck. The easy way to fix this once and for all is to just get a normal four terminal HEI module and replace the seven terminal module you have now.

That HEI needs cleaned up. The advance plate needs to be checked to be sure it still easily rotates on the shaft, but in general the whole thing needs to come apart down to the last rusty little piece for a thorough cleaning. Also check to be sure the vacuum can works and that the small wires from the pickup coil that go to the module are good.

If you want to run it as-is (w/o replacing the pigtail and swapping to a 4-pin module), splice the green and black wires together on the distributor side. This will bypass the electronic spark control.

http://www.hotrodders.com/gallery/data/500/dist_hei.jpg
YIKES!!



.

i know its not a real looker haha, but i got it for 10 bucks. it had a new MSD cap and coil though. thanks for the help, ill try splicing the wires today though

Why not just use a late 70s HEI.......all the advances are built in.......and they are a dime a dozen.

it was pretty much a matter of what i had laying around. if it dosent work outfor me i will look into finding one, or switching back to points

Colbalt327 was right! it started right up :thumbup: