Bous Performance HEI Ignition Distributor with 65K Coil; Clear Cap (76-90 4.2L Jeep CJ7 & Wrangler YJ)Find parts that fit my vehicle

Bous Performance HEI Ignition Distributor with 65K Coil; Clear Cap

AMC / Jeep L6 HEI distributor aluminum housing and hardened steel dual bushing construction.
This Distributors offers magnetic trigger style, adjustable mechanical and vacuum advances, high-
output module, 65,000-volt coil, solid brass terminals, one-wire Connection. This distributor fits
inline 6-cylinder AMC engines 232 c.i. (3.8L), 242 c.i. (4.0L), and 258 c.i. (4.2L) engines.
HEI Distributor, AMC/Jeep inline 232-258
Magnetic trigger style
Mechanical & vacuum advance
Internal coil
Machined aluminum construction
Installation
Installation instructions for the HEI distributor in 1972-1990 6-cylinder 232ci [3.8L] & 258ci [4.2L]
AMC/Jeep engines
1) Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
2) Locate the #1-cylinder spark plug wire on the distributor cap and mark the cap accordingly if it is
not already identified. The engine’s #1 cylinder is at the front of the engine and the cylinders are in
order all the way to the back of the engine which is #6 cylinder.
3) Remove all the spark plug wire leads and all spark plugs from the engine. Removing the spark
plugs allows the engine to be turned more easily.
4) Using a breaker bar and the correct sized socket on the crank pulley center bolt turn the crank
clockwise. Bring the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley all the way around until it is lined up with
the TDC mark on the front of the engine.
5) Remove the distributor cap from the distributor and note the position of the rotor. It should be
pointing directly at the #1-cylinder position marked on the cap. If the rotor is not pointing at the # 1-
cylinder location, then reinstall the distributor cap and repeat steps #4 and #5. Once the rotor is
pointing at the #1 cylinder position on the distributor cap, you now have the #1 cylinder at TDC.
6) Disconnect the distributor wiring harness and vacuum line from the distributor. Disconnect the
wiring from the ignition coil.
7) Remove the distributor and ignition coil from the engine. Note that the rotor will turn
counterclockwise a small amount as you pull the old distributor out of the engine. Make a note of
how much the rotor turns. Inspect the driven gear on the bottom of the distributor. If excessive wear
is evident, the driven gear on the new HEI distributor may not mesh with the drive gear on the
camshaft. Replacing the drive gear on the camshaft is recommended when there is
excessive wear on the driven gear of the old distributor. Please note that excessive wear on these
gears is not a common occurrence, but it is better to inspect the gear before reassembling to
prevent issues later.
8) With a light illuminate the well in the engine that the distributor came out of. You will see a slot in
the top of oil pump drive shaft down in the center of the well. The tab on the bottom of the HEI
distributor shaft fits into the slot on top of oil pump drive shaft.
9) Carefully unplug the black 3-wire harness connector from the distributor cap and remove the cap
from the HEI distributor by twisting and pushing down the spring-loaded hold down clamps with a
flat bladed screwdriver. Make sure the gasket is in place on the HEI distributor housing below the
stop collar. Hold the HEI distributor with the vacuum advance canister pointing at the passenger
side of the engine compartment. Turn the rotor so that the tab on the bottom of the distributor shaft
will line up with and fit into the “slot” on top of the oil pump drive shaft. Now turn the rotor
counterclockwise the same small amount as was noted in Step #7. As the HEI distributor slides into
the engine, the rotor will turn back clockwise that same small amount as the distributor driven gear
seats into place against the camshaft drive gear. The HEI distributor should sit all the way down
with the stop collar and gasket resting against the engine block. If it doesn’t, pull it out and try again
until it does. Now secure the distributor with the hold down clamp. You may have to slightly bend
your oil dipstick tube out of the way of the HEI distributor because the HEI distributor cap is much
larger than the old distributor. If it does need to be bent, be very careful not to break the oil dipstick
tube or damage or unseat the seal at the base of the dipstick tube. 10) Re-install the HEI distributor
cap back on the distributor. Make sure all the hold down clamps are pointed outward. Make sure
the cap is on straight and that the alignment notch on the inside edge of the cap is aligned properly
with the slot in the distributor bowl housing. Note which spark plug wire tower the rotor is pointing
closest to and note that as the #1 cylinder. Tighten down the distributor spring loaded hold down
clamps securing the cap to the distributor.
11) Plug the black 3-wire harness connector back into the distributor cap.
12) If the old spark plugs are in good working condition, you can re-gap the spark plugs from 0.035”
to 0.045” and reinstall them in the engine. However this would be a good time to install a fresh set
of spark plugs and gap them at 0.045. This is possible due to the higher energy output of the new
HEI distributor.
13) Using the proper firing order for the engine (1-5-3-6-2-4 clockwise on cap), begin installing the
new HEI spark plug wires at the #1 terminal on the distributor cap. Make sure you use a high quality
spark plug wire set with at least 8mm spark plug wires for use with the new HEI Distributor. The
stock 7mm spark plug wires will not handle the Higher Voltage output of the HEI distributor!
14) Unplug and remove the old factory ignition module completely. It is not need with the HEI
distributor.
15) One of the two harness connectors that was unplugged from the old factory ignition module has
a large 10 gauge wire (probably RED or YELLOW), which is a 12V switched power source. This is the
wire that needs to be connected to the BAT terminal in the cap of the new HEI Distributor. You will
need a 1/4” x 0.032”
quick disconnect type female terminal on the 12V switch power source lead to make the
connection with the tab in the HEI distributor cap. The other terminal tab in the HEI distributor cap
is to be connected to the tachometer, if the vehicle is so equipped. You will need the same ¼” x
0.032” quick disconnect type female terminal on the tachometer lead as well.
16) The factory harness and plug that was disconnected from the old factory old distributor can be
removed from your engine compartment as well.
17) Plug the vacuum line that was removed from the old factory distributor for the time being.
18) Reconnect the negative battery terminal.
19) The engine is now ready to start. When the engine is started for the first time, it will probably run
fairly rough. The engine needs get up to normal operating temperature before you can begin to time
it properly.
20) Once the engine is completely warmed up, bring the engine speed up to 1000 RPM. Loosen the
distributor hold down clamp just a little. Using a timing light, rotate the distributor in whichever
direction is necessary to bring the timing to approximately 8 degrees before TDC. Tighten the hold
down clamp. Please note that every vehicle’s engine is slightly different due to age, wear and
modifications as well as regional differences in fuel quality and the operational elevation of the
vehicle. You may need to experiment with the timing to achieve the maximum performance. Most
engines with the HEI distributor typically run the best when the base or initial timing is set at 6 to10
degrees before TDC. The HEI distributor has a mechanical advance curve that begins at 1200 RPM
and is all in by 3600 RPM with 20 degrees of advance,
21) Bring your idle back down to normal. Depending on the year and transmission type the warm
engine idle speed could be anywhere from 600 RPM up to 950 RPM. Verify that the vacuum line to
the distributor is connected to a ported vacuum sourced, especially if the engine is equipped with
an aftermarket carburetor. Do NOT connect the vacuum line to a direct source of intake vacuum!
22) The new HEI distributor is also equipped with an adjustable vacuum advance canister. You can
adjust how much additional vacuum timing advance can be delivered under light engine load
during high intake vacuum conditions such as during highway cruise, to improve the economy of
the engine. The unit is adjusted by removing the vacuum line to the canister nipple and inserting a
2.5mm Allen wrench into the end of the canister nipple and turning the internal hex set screw.
Turning it counterclockwise reduces the amount of advance, while turning it clock wise increases
the amount of advance. The vacuum advance canister is set at the factory approximately in the
middle of the adjustment range. With five full turns of adjustment in either direction. Turning the
adjustment all the way counterclockwise until it stops reduces the amount of vacuum advance to
about 2 degrees at a vacuum reading of 10 inches of Hg. Turning the adjustment all the way
clockwise until it stops increases the amount of vacuum advance to about 18 degrees at a vacuum
reading of 10 inches of Hg. Again, you may need to experiment with the timing to achieve the
maximum performance. The best way to find the optimum vacuum advance for your engine is to
turn the adjustment screw all the way counterclockwise until is stops, reattach the vacuum line
and then drive the vehicle. Then remove the
vacuum line and turn the adjustment screw one full turn clockwise, reattach the vacuum line and
drive the vehicle listening for any pre-ignition pinging. If none is heard, then try one addition full turn
of the adjustment screw and retest drive the vehicle again listening for any pre-ignition pinging.
Once you detect pre-ignition pinging, then remove the vacuum line and turn the adjustment back
one full turn counterclockwise. The vacuum advance should now be set for your specific engine. If
you happen to buy a tank full of low-quality gas, you may experience pre-ignition pinging during light
engine loading. If this happens you will have to temporarily turn back the amount of vacuum
advance to prevent any damage that could result from pre-ignition. With installation of the HEI
distributor you should notice improved overall engine performance, a smoother idle and quicker
throttle response with reduced fuel consumption all because of the improved ignition system.
PLEASE NOTE: These instructions are for reference purposes only. These instructions are intended
to simplify the installation of the HEI distributor. It is assumed that the installer of this HEI
distributor has basic mechanical knowledge. If there are any questions regarding the installation of
this HEI distributor, the installer should consult the vehicle’s actual automotive reference or shop
manual for proper procedures, prior to the installation. Some steps in the above-mentioned
installation procedure may vary depending on the Make/Model/Year/Options of your particular
vehicle and engine. Emissions laws and regulations vary from one state to another. Please check
with your local state emissions regulations prior to installing the HEI Distributor. The installation of
the HEI distributor maybe only legal for use in off-road vehicles in some states.

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