Chrysler Lean Burn to HEI ignition conversion part 1

[@alm7707]

I have replaced a dozen of those lean burn systems. Just change the distributor so you have a vacuum advance and wire in a Chrysler ignition box. The box system might not be high energy, but they got the job done. Do you think you will gain even 1 hp with that crude setup you are putting on your truck.

[@kevinhall3003]

I had a 78 Cordoba with 360 Leanburn . It worked great! , had the car for years and drove it like I stole it , would burn up ignition wires when doing a lot of W.O.T. .

[@knighthawk86855]

I subbed, I've owned Chryslers forever, I still have my dad's 68 2 Dr club coup Plymouth Belvidere with 3 in the tree, I've owned a 70 Plymouth satilite, a 72 scamp, 77 Cordoba, 82 Cordoba, 85 gran fury, my dad's, 97 dodge dokota, 97 grand caravan, current 2000 Chrysler town and country, and 96 dodge ran van 2500, and my newer current 99 dodge 1500 prime time conversion van, I remember the conversion kit for the lean burn system, I put one in my 77 and 82 Chrysler Cordoba was fairly easy, I use to work for a Chrysler dealer so I got em cheap.

[@steveclary6507]

I have a 66 Dodge 225. Do you happen to have a part number for your Dodge hei distributor? Or a year/make/model to search with? Thanks.

[@cender301309]

did you ever figure it out

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

I don't have a part number, but you would use an electronic 225 distributor from 1974-up. REMEMBER, the regular distributors have a vacuum can on the side and the Lean Burn versions do not.

[@johnhenderson4837]

Sorry for another young carburetor illiterate person comment, but how do you test the vacuum advance pot or whatever it is called on the distributor ? I’ve got one from eBay but want to be sure it’s OK while gathering other parts

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

Grab yourself one of those hand-operated vacuum pumps and use that, or you might even can suck on the port and make it operate.

[@danielrisk5731]

Hello ! I got a hold of a 1986 Plymouth Gran Fury with only 55K miles on it here in Florida. Could not get it to run right with serious power issues. Viewed some of your other videos. I then ordered an new HEI distributor from Ebay that company said would fit my car. Everything bolted up okay but now car will not even turn over now. Thought it may be the starter suddenly went bad and so I replaced the starter but car still will not turn over. Is there anything I am missing here.

[@joei7025]

Hey T, Few questions, what happen to your black electrical relay? Also, didn't see where you installed that inline fuse. And lastly is the voltage regulator that is bolted on the firewall {silver/gold rectangular box} does that go away as well with this HEI conversion? PS: Great job with the videos

[@DrunkenSaint420]

Cool idea, I hadn't thought of this, but have been playing with the idea of going a step further & putting the TBI system off a 4.3 on my Dart. Needed parts: throttle body, oxygen sensor, and computer. The tricky part would be adapting the throttle body on and high a pressure fuel pump.

[@e50095]

I'm curious, if the carb is lean burn computer controlled, shouldn't retaining it cause some mixture or idle problems by removing the lean burn? I would think you would need to change the carb also to an older model, like the Holley 1 barrel that came on so many of these.

[@Membrane556]

An easier but little more expensive way to convert a lean burn Mopar to HEI is to get a points distributor and install a Pertronix Igniter . This method definitely is cheaper if you hit the scrape yards. You also can use a Ford HEI ignition coil like those found on 80s to 90s 5.0s and some 3.8s.

[@rufustoad1]

Pretty good videos. You have enticed me to make the change only I have several questions if you don't mind me asking. I have looked all over for a GM 2 pin and can not seem to find one so Im going with the ford and hope it will work. I have looked at a few other vids and noticed that the BLK wire is on the bottom pin and the ORG wire is on the top which is backwards from yours? Have you noticed any problems? I did swap and found to have no spark so I was just wondering. Also I hooked my ignition wire to the + on coil and then relay/bat power to the module. I see that I have 1.5v difference and wonder if you think this is a problem? I seem to be having a really hard time starting the truck but it does run good when off idle but it struggles to idle and a complete bear to start. I am puzzled and just wondered if you had any thoughts? Good couple of videos!

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

another good video, I have a 74 GMC pre H.E.I. but I am learnin' from you how to do the swap / upgrade

[@alm7707]

How is a 74 not HEI? They came out in 73.

[@vr4787]

My parents had an 88 Dodge Diplomat. The 318 was still good but that lean burn always gave problems on start ups and passing emissions.

[@DrunkenSaint420]

The actual ported EFI system is going in to deep for me. I don't like the idea of drilling the manifold & adding a dozen sensors. I just keep an eye open for a cheap donor car with the old 2.5 in the late 80's or early 90's, or the first 4.3's. Then it would just be a matter of making an adapter to the intake, weld the o2 in the exhaust, and rerun wires to your chosen computer location. That would allow me to use a remote start system and run right along side modern cars for mileage & power.

[@clubcar98]

That safe keeping spot may not be the best option. Weedeater man may get to it! I thought someone mentioned there was an easier way to do this, or a kit, etc. But I am sure its more fun to get the parts and make it yourself. Also Interesting how that module has a heat sync (spelling) on it. My truck has the same one (except its the mentioned 4 pin unit) and it doesn't have one. Probably why they fail often from the heat on my trucks.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

You can actually use this with an EFI system. You have to use a 7-pin module instead of the 4 pin.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

You're welcome, stay tuned!

[@DrunkenSaint420]

I might just lose the flex fan & throw an electric & sensor on it. Good idea! I have a 413 sitting that I keep getting asked when its going in, but I rather play with this for a while & see what I can get it to do. The little Dart has the good gears in it, it spins tires like it has a v8, but I don't think you could get 90 out of it.

[@Tsaul968]

I just got a 1985 dodge d150 with a 1989 wire harness no EMC computer how can I use ur method or can u help me out plz

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

A 1989 is fuel-injected. I think the wiring harness is vastly different. My recommendation is find a good harness from about 1984 to no later than 1987 and start with that. You need a good wiring schematic for that truck also. You can do it.

[@1949kf]

Converted many of these years ago to conventional points ignition. The lean burn system almost put Chrysler out of business

[@jesterof84]

A 021 BOSCH Ignition Module works well too little hard to come buy though , i bought one of the shiny pretty red distributors off eBay that be whats in it

[@runner406]

How good was the distributor I saw those I was thinking about buying it to

[@matthewnorton4529]

What year make did you get your ignition coil from

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Hi Tyler. Why not convert to points ? What benefits are there going to hei vs points ?

[@gorkzop]

More power, reliability, idles/revs better.. Hotter and longer spark.. And no more maintenance with the points!

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

@@gorkzop thanks. With hei having a hotter spark, is there a chance of burning a hole int he piston? Kind of like using too hot of a spark plug and burning up a piston.

[@gorkzop]

@@whatyoumakeofit6635 not that I'm aware of.. As long as the ignigtion timing is correct off course.. I have never heard of HEI giving bigger chance though

[@brentspellmeyer8943]

does hei eliminate the need for the little 5 prong module and ballast? sorry trying to help someone out.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

+Brent Spellmeyer Yes. No more module or ballast.

[@brentspellmeyer8943]

+WhoSaidTyler OK thanks for the reply.

[@hdjake8803]

hey whosaidtyler is there any way i could talk to you over the phone i need to ask you a question about my 1982 dodge d150 225 slant 6??

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

The vacuum pot always goes out on the lean burn systems.

[@pkranz937]

A reman computer is cheaper than buying the parts needed to convert the system over.

[@pcterm2]

part number for GM was or is 1875990

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

Thank you

[@blueduster74]

Mopar electrical sucks. common knowledge. but every other mechanical piece in any Mopar is 10x better than any GM junk. i was dumb enough to drive GM my first 10 years of driving. Never again.

[@robdonna1000]

Those fingers say you are a woman. Until proven otherwise. Busted.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

....I was wrong. I HADN'T already read the most loony comment ever posted on my channel.

[@robdonna1000]

My bad you must be a dude with an extra long index finger

[@claycoates5056]

this is only a good Idea if this is what you have on hand GM.s system is not as good and realy has problems of its own

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Lets say you have nothing on hand. And you want to do away with mopars stock system. What route would you suggest, for a daily driver/road trip car ?

[@claycoates5056]

@Austin Carlson This is interesting as i have worked with both systems the Siemens System is different and not altogether bad the Bosh system has its problems both are used all over the world why is this not so with the GM system the GM system has the advantage of volume in the US

[@SuBN01z3RaT]

seems like too much work and money to put into a dodge,buy a chevy and you will be one step ahead of the game :p