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E Street heads, clearance Clarence

KramerSwinger

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So I have Edlebrock E Street heads (part #5090) for my 73 400 big block. I’m also running Holley Terminator EFI. I had ordered, with the efi, a Holley dual sync distributor (part #565-109).

Below, I’ve uploaded the distributor install attempt.

As you can see, there is a bit of interference with the cylinder heads. Holley has no other options for me to run and Edlebrock tells me I have maybe a 1/4” of wall thickness to play with there.

Would you recommend clearancing the Head, or just live with the stock ignition?

49A30D2D-40E0-46B1-967D-4863EB433DDB.jpeg
5B634961-AE08-4811-AC3A-1CFB875181FB.jpeg
 
Lots of guys just grind on the head. You won't need much.
 
Well I won’t be grinding, I’m having a shop install and he seemed concerned about it. The distributor is quite large compared to stock, and he didn’t think he had enough wall to make room to move the cap freely

I just want to see if perhaps anyone else had ran into issues with this particular set up.
 
There is a warning on the Edelbrock site that says "may have distributor clearance problems". It is hard to see exactly how much interference you have from the pictures.
1. grinding on the head sounds like a good idea to me IF you only need an 1/8" clearance or something like that.
2. you could also grind "a little bit" on the cap as long as it's only on the bottom lip AND you don't grind so much it won't seal vs. water in that area (maybe a dab of clear RTV would help)
 
The Edlebrock website specifies vacuum advance, so I figured I’d be in the clear.“Vacuum advance distributor may not clear cylinder head.”

I’m just shocked that neither Holley nor Edelbrock planned for this situation. I’ve been told “I have no fix for you” by Holley.
 
:bs_flag:Another case of "We got your money,YOU got the problem".:bs_flag:
 
The Edlebrock website specifies vacuum advance, so I figured I’d be in the clear.“Vacuum advance distributor may not clear cylinder head.”

I’m just shocked that neither Holley nor Edelbrock planned for this situation. I’ve been told “I have no fix for you” by Holley.
I asked this same question when I got a pair of E-street heads. I was told by some very knowledgeable people on this board that a stock distributor would fit, but MSD (?) would not. Those heads were definitely designed for a stock-style distributor & have less clearance vs. stock heads. If it's not severe, you can clearance it. However, I would be inclined to trust your engine guy.

Maybe he can "initially set" the distributor, thinking about plug wire location vs. best distributor/head clearance and see where you're at? You may not be able to turn the distributor ALL the way around (can't do that with a stock distributor either) BUT once you're timing is set, you will hardly ever move it again and if you do, only maybe 1/4" turn each way MAX.

Most guys on this board are sharp with Mopars....trust them. Maybe you can get a picture of the distributor installed without the cap looking straight down on it? Will the distributor fit without the cap?

If worse comes to worse, I think you can run a stock-style distributor (electronic) or upgrade the guts inside of a stock distributor.
 
Send the Holley back and get the Fast Dual Sync, you should be fine.
 
Ha, I thought you were having a clearance sale on Clarence Clemons memorabilia stuff, from when he was in the E Street Band.
 
Msd make a dizzy with a smaller body for these heads, use it on my eddy max wedge heads
 
There’s only 2 distributors that I know that will work with the Holley EFI, Holley’s own stuff and FAST.
 
Are you using the fuel injection to control the timing? Easy solution would be to grind the head like said above.
 
That would work!
 
You have room for the Distributor.
You have dropped the Distributor in, but the engine is not timed yet. When you move the Distributor to the correct timing, it will clear the cyl head.
Turn the Distributor to clear the cyl head.
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I am shocked that no one has told you this. You are making a mountain out of a mole hole.
I run E Street Heads/MSD Billet Distributor on my 440 Dart, rotate the distributor for clearance, then time.
 
I’m not running an MSD distributor. It was Holley Dual Sync. I’ve spent the day looking at MSD Pro billet and an ignition box. But I’d much prefer that the efi system control timing if possible
 
The E-Street's only require what I would deem "very minor" clearancing to clear MSD Distributors, we do it all the time.
And although we haven't checked the Holley Dual Sync version, you may wish to check with MSD and Holley to see if the Diameter of their Dual Sync Dizzy is similar to the MSD "Ready to Run"/Vacuum Advance Units ? which don't fit OOTB either.

Here are some Pics, pretty easy-peazee clean up to work.
The clearancing is basically required, and starts about 1-1/2" UP from the Head Deck.... plenty of meat there to work with.
e_street_dizzy_clrc_003.jpg

e_street_dizzy_clrc_001.jpg

e_street_dizzy_clrc_002.jpg
 
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