401 build, looking for conversion to TBI. Need some help.

AHoyThere

I've been reading some of the recent posts on fuel injection systems for a 401.

I want to convert to TBI and I am trying to select which system to install. Right now I'm looking at the Holley Commander 950.

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

I'm having trouble finding the right distributor. I'd like an ECM controlled distributor.
Holley has a GM style distributor to go with their TBI system but it is expensive (approx $400). And I don't know for sure if I can put this into my 401.

http://www.holley.com/890-160.asp

Engine specs...

Camshaft information:
Gross cam lift: .310
Rockers: Stock 401 rockers @ 1.6 = total lift of .496.
Cam Duration is 220 degrees at .050. Howards lobe profile #4756 (whatever that means).
Compression ratio is 9.8 to 1 (Speed Pro pistons).
Stock AMC 401 heads w/ dogleg exhaust ports.
Stock exhaust manifolds (no headers).
Intake is Edelbrock Performer #2131 with a straight bore vacuum secondary Holley.
Displacement
Bored .030 over stock.
Original Bore: 4.165
Actual Bore: 4.195
Stoke: 3.68
Displacement: 406.9 CI / 6.6 liter
Bore/Stroke Ratio: 1.1399
Ignition
The ignition system uses the original distributor which was converted with a Pertronix Ignitor II kit. www.pertronix.com/ and one of the Pertronix Flame-Thrower high voltage coils. (Don't remember which one.)

Any advice or recommendations?

AHoyThere

The site says that the kit and ECM are compatible with this distributor: 1984–96 GM (external coil). If I can find that, can I install that in an AMC 401? And if so, can anyone tell me where to find one? Thanks.

ironman_gq

if its for an amc v8 it will fit in your 401 they all use the same parts only the rotating parts dont interchange so intake, cam,timing set,ignition,bellhousing, most external parts all interchange

AHoyThere

ironman_gq wrote
if its for an amc v8 it will fit in your 401

The problem is it's for a GM. And I need a distributor for an AMC. Or, maybe it's okay to put a GM distributor into an AMC engine. But I don't know for sure so I'm hoping someone here can tell me.

Dusty

i am really at a loss to understand the gm distributor into an AMC comment you keep making? which version of a gm distributor are you talking about from what engine family GM made alot of distributors that are electronically controlled each engine family has a different shaft diameter depth and different drive gear so no you can't just buy a distributor from GM and drop it into an AMC.

Bulltear sells a GM HEI conversion distributor for AMC v-8s. gut the vacum advance and the weights and install a electronic control modual. or just run the fuel injection as fuel only and keep the HEI as it is.

go to www.binderplanet they have a very detailed fuel injection forum specifically for injecting AMC's and IH motors with or without spark control. and they have a whole build up on how to install electronic spark control into a coil in cap HEI vacumm distributor

1980_Cj7

I was thinking about adapting a GM distributor to my AMC also. I got one with the junk yard TBI system I'm getting ready to install. The distributor is the height of simplicity, and the wiring harness would plug right into it, and that's why I was considering it. The GM shaft is smaller and would have to be bushed out to fit the AMC gear, and the housing would need to be modified to mount in the AMC engine. With all the troubles I read about with distributor gears, I hesitate to take the chance on getting everything lined up just perfectly with all the adaptation that would be required. Plus, I'm hearing the stock AMC distributor, modified with a large Ford cap and rotor, is the best possible distributor to use. It will just require disabling the vacuum and centrifugal advance to be able to go to computer contolled timing, which I'm told is easy to do, and mounting a module somewhere and adapting the wiring harness to it all. Now I'm thinking about going one further, and using an MSD box with the stock distributor instead of fooling with an HEI ignition module.

AHoyThere

Dusty wrote
go to www.binderplanet they have a very detailed fuel injection forum specifically for injecting AMC's and IH motors with or without spark control. and they have a whole build up on how to install electronic spark control into a coil in cap HEI vacumm distributor

Okay, I'm starting to get it. It's not a GM distributor that we need. What we need is an AMC distributor with a GM style 7-pin Electronic Spark Control module.

Dusty is right, there is a LOT of information on distributor conversion on binderplanet.

ironman_gq

if you can use an in cap HEI unit buy one from MC. The price is fair and you know he stands behind his work

AHoyThere

ironman_gq wrote
if you can use an in cap HEI unit buy one from MC. The price is fair and you know he stands behind his work

That would probably work but it looks like it is vacuum/mechanical spark control. I'd like to find one that is ECM controlled.

This is one company that I found that will sell an AMC distributor with a 7-pin GM style control module.