Okay, maybe a dumb question, but what is the correct wiring for an HEI ignition, from dist to plugs. where can I find a diagram of the wiring order. changed plub wires(car was running okay, wires were kinda short), screwed the pooch somewhere, car runs, pops, did not mess with distributor timing. my wiring now is(from coil/power/tach connections area, going clockwise) 6-1-2-7-5-4-3-8. i'm flamboozeled, . if I have the wiring right, will have to go back and check wires. Help!!!

 

counter clockwise rotation. 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

 

Which is even cast into the intake manifold.

 

Ok, tried running plug wires as you guys said, no start, no fire, reversed the wires, pop from carb. this is an HEI dist(ii was told that made a difference as to where wires were in relation to the tach/batt connections. Looking at the engine from the front. #8 wire is 1st contact behind the tach/bat connection followed by #3, #4, #5, #7,, #2, #1 and #6 is next to the tach/bat connection terminals. I must be dense, car starts but runs like crap.
at a loss here. thanks for help and understanding

 

The most important thing is that you MUST figure out where No. 1 terminal is on your cap for the orientation of the distributor in the engine. The factory location of No. 1 is meaningless unless you have the distributor in exactly the same place as it was when it left the factory. The location of No. 1 relative to the BATT/TACH terminals is IRRELEVANT. All that matters is location relative to the rotor. Once you get that right, wires go 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 from there, CounterClockwise.

 

1972 CSM shows distributor and wires installed as follows: 1972 Oldsmobile distributor orientation

 

ac,
Pull out the number 1 spark plug. (drivers side front) Hold your finger in the spark plug hole and have someone bump the starter until you feel air start coming out of the plug hole. Then continue turning the engine over until your timing mark on the harmonic damper is exactly at "0" Pull the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing. That should be the number one spark plug wire location. From there go counterclockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

 

Here is the spark plug wiring positions for an HEI. The Batt/Tach terminals are between 2 and 7 in the cap and the square part is pointing to #7.

 

Got to say thanks again to all that responded to my question. Thanks guys, car running good now. Anyone know numbers for the power ball? just asking.

ted

 

Just an FYI, the stock timing settings for your are N/A with the HEI as the mechanical advance is different than a points distributor.