Hi, I am brand new to this site... I was wondering if anyone had a moment to help me out.... I have a 69 Camaro with a sbc 400 . I just replaced the HEI that was on the 400 when I bought it ( last fall ) with a pro comp 7000 series distributor... ( I know, I know.... they're junk... everyone I ask says buy a new distributor.... ) I ran the car about three hours ( total ) it ran great when I first installed it then began sputtering after about five minutes.... ( I would make a few adjustments to the timing & try again... ) ( Im pretty sure the car was just cooling down & thats why it ran good then tailed off... long story short, I cooked the ignition module) pro comp says it's cause I didnt have a constant 12 volt source.... anyway my question is.... How do I hook this thing up? do I run a line right from the battery to the coil? I've asked around & alot of folks have said yes... If I do this, will it run my battery dead as the car sits in the garage from day to day...? Also do I have to change anything in the ignition wire? or just run the ignition wire, and a line from the battery? If anyone has any input or advice .... ( besides getting a new distributor.... cant afford it ) Thanks....
Chuck Burkett - North East PA

 

Welcome to the site. You would be better off putting this question in the tech section.
But no, do not hook the coil up directly to the battery. In stock points & condensor form, the ignition runs on less than 12 volts, closer to 10, through a resistance wire. Use a test meter or light and find a switched (keyed) 12 volt source to hook the coil up to. If you have constant un-keyed voltage to the coil, you'll eventually burn up your coil or ignition, and will quickly drain your battery.