Distributor question

I've got an AMC 401 in my '73 CJ5. I would like to convert the engine to a fuel injected TBI system.

I'm considering the Holley Commander 950-22s system.
Their product specs recommend the following distributor to be used with their system.

1984–96 GM (external coil);

Could someone please tell me, if I could find this distributor, can I put it into an AMC engine?

I would like the ECM to control spark as well as fuel injection.

Currently we are using the stock distributor converted to a Pertronix Ignitor II system using the Pertronix Flamethrower HV coil.

Any advice is welcome.

 

A factory GM distributor will not install in an AMC V8. There are aftermarket GM HEI (high energy ignition) distributors made for the AMC V8s, but they do not have an external coil. AFAIK there were only a few years where the small body (external coil) HEI distributor was used in GM cars.

Spark control is a feature of the GM TBI system. These systems use a GM HEI distributor with an internal module that controls spark, via the ECM. I presume that this setup is what Holley want you to use, for spark control.

Sorry I can't be more specific. The instructions for the Holley system should give you specific information, if they advertise this system as compatible with the AMC V8s. Typically Holley provides the documentation on their web site, so you can read it before youbuy the product.

 

Thank you for the reply. Here is the full text from the Holley web site...

"The programmable timing feature of this system is available either by:
1. Using one of the following distributors:
1980–1/2 through 1990 GM 7–pin (coil–in–cap);
1984–96 GM (external coil);
1984 – later Ford 7–wire TFI.
Use wiring harness Adapter P/N 534–47 for GM istributors and P/N 534–48 for the Ford distributor."

http://www.holley.com/950-22S.asp


I was trying to use their second option and use the current high voltage coil that I already have. But if I can't then I can't.

If there is an AMC V8 aftermarket GM HEI with an internal module that controls spark, via the ECM, can you help me find one?

I haven't been able to find one yet. Everything I've found so far seems to have vacuum and mechanical advance built into it.

Thanks again.

 

If I were doing this, I would look at these approaches. First, I would look at the aftermarket GM HEI. It will come with vacuum and mechanical advance. However, the 7-pin HEI module should fit into one of these distributors. You would then have to disable the mechanical and vacuum advance, and rely on the ECM for advance control. Jayhawkclint has done something like this in this thread http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63997&highlight=spark+control

Another possibility is that you could use the Motorcraft Duraspark distributor from a '78 or later Jeep and convert it to the 7-wire TFI parts. I don't know of anyone that has done this, but if you got a Jeep Duraspark distributor and a Ford 7-wire (Duraspark II?) distributor from the junk yard, you may be able to put the 7-wire pieces in the Jeep Duraspark distributor and make it work.

Yet another possibility - use a Jeep Duraspark distributor with an external 7-pin HEI module. The Duraspark is compatible with the HEI modules, and there are several articles on the web. Here too you'd have to disable the mechanical and vacuum advance.

I can't tell you all you need to know about this off the top of my head. However, there is a lot of information on the 'net, such as in the FI forum at www.binderplanet.com I expect that the information you need will not be all in one place, and you'll have to search it out and assemble it.

Also, the page you point to is just the advertising blurb about the product. You should thoroughly read and understand the instructions. They are linked to the page you point to. You really need to study these documents.

hth!