Any tips on how to do this? I have a bad one. 1996 502 Mag with Delco HEI distributor. Thanks very much.

If you have the factory manual there must be a procedure for it somewhere. A thought; if I recall it correctly, there is also a possibility that the distrbutor shaft/magnet is demagnetized causing problems. To check the coil use an Ohm meter.

piz,
If it is the large cap type of HEI, you have to remove the roll pin that holds the gear in place, then pull the shaft out of the distributor to change the pickup. Pretty easy job actually. Not sure if the small body HEI's are the same.

Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

So distributor has to come out. Then dismantle the distributor to get the old pick up out. Looks like i have to remove the intake plenum to get the clearance. I hope not. Sounds like a nightmare. I miss my points and one wire distributor. I know where my EFI system is going when its time for a rebuild.

plenum off. cap off. top dead center. mark rotor location to distributor. mark distributor location to intake . remove distributor. using drift punch remove pin at bottom of distributor. slide shaft out. remove pick up and install. reverse for install.

Did it, not a bad job, about 1-2hrs. Plenum comes off easily, lots of little hoses, etc but no big deal. Dist out, dist in, set timing. Running good again. Idle off/high sometimes, sometimes perfect. Tach is dead now tho, worked fine for 10-15mins then quit. Must be wire. Thanks for all the help, made it all much easier.