So...I failed to follow the the advice mentioned on this site and I connected my HEI distributor to the resistor hot wire, I believe(I'll check later today).
Question:
If I did, would the car start and run? Mine does.
Question:
What happens to the engine and it's performance if I've been using the resistor wire?
The problem:
I have a 71 cutlass base, 350 engine. The drivers side exhaust has been smoking for some time(only after startup and for the first half mile or so then it stops), thinking it's piston rings or valve seals we yanked the heads off and the last piston on the driver's side is covered in carbon deposit build up. I was told this cylinder is not getting hot enough, plugs(using hei plugs from a later model hei car) etc. As I looked on this site I don't think i connected the hei distributor to the proper hot wire. BTW, I have been driving the car. It has about 6000 miles on a rebuilt engine. I'm trying to figure out what caused that cylinder to look like that so I can be fixed, and stop smoking. I hope this is enough information in order for you guys to be able to help me.
Thanks

 

Low voltage will lead to HEI failure. It may run fine for a period of time but will probably fail in the near future. In addition your not getting full high voltage. You don't need to run plugs from a later model engine, you can run the stock plugs for yours. If you were having issues with the distributor what you were seeing on #7 piston would be on all cylinders. It may be a bad/ or poorly connected wire or spark plug.

 

What color smoke? Did you perform compression or leak down test? Did you examine valve stem seal on that cylinder? White/blue smoke that clears points to a valve seal.
Doubtful ignition causing your smoke and carbon problem.

 

Hooking up the HEI to 12 volts constant isn't going to solve your smoking problem or carboned up piston.
But you need to hook it up right.

 

white and blue smoke is what I'm noticing. We're replacing the valve seals. But my question is, could a low voltage to the distributor affect how the spark plug fires? Are you guys under the impression that all my issues are related to the obvious oil leaks, seemingly stemming from my valves? No compression or leak down performed

 

..."could a low voltage to the distributor affect how the spark plug fires?"

Absolutely. Low voltage in=low voltage out.

After the valve seals are installed and you hook the distributor up correctly to a keyed 12 VDC source; drive it for 100 miles then re-read the plugs and post your findings to close the loop here.

Make sure ALL the grounds under the hood (and everywhere else) are clean and tight. This includes the neg cable from the battery to the block and the ever missing ground strap from the head to firewall. Grounds are your friend. Bad grounds will take out a HEI module in short order.

 

You guys have more experience then I with HEI. But I would replace the seals, look at those specific valves. assemble and run before changing the HEI wiring just to see if smoke goes away. Then re-do HEI. Doing two things at one time you would be unsure of what fixed your trouble. Blue /white smoke is oil.

 

Very true Pat. Good troubleshooting advice. If the OP has oil smoke from lack of oil control via rings, guides, seals, or other it will show on the plugs.

 

If you've got the heads off and you're replacing the valve guide seals, be sure to take a good look at the valves for signs of burning / not sealing.

Connecting the HEI through the ballast resistor will reduce performance, but, as Eric said, in ALL cylinders, not just in one.

Also, bear in mind that the thickness of your head gaskets will affect your compression, so be sure to replace them with gaskets that are no thicker than what you took off.

- Eric

 

also check the valve guides, seals alone may not help if the guides are shot