I was hoping that was all I needed to do. I wanted to keep the engine compartment as clean as I could. Thanks. Anyone actually done this? I like to be prepared for Murphy if I can...

 

I plan to do mine this weekend. If you havent already done it by then i'll let you know for sure.

 

HEI is a great improvement over the stock Ford ignition system.

My main reason for recommending this swap is the fact that it's so much less cluttered than the stock Ford stuff. Also as hard as it is to swallow the HEI stuff can be purchased ANYWHERE. If you ever have an issue with something going out, any parts store will have what you need...and cheap.

Now the absolute best way to install the HEI in the Ford is with the use of a relay. You can get a relay with a holder and install it near the battery on the other side of the solenoid for a real clean look. You have to determine by the diagram which pin goes where but you will have a constant hot, ignition hot, ground and the last wire will go to the dizzy. I recommend a 30amp relay and I even run a 20 amp inline fuse holder in between the relay and HEI.

Now as far as what to unhook and cut out, I have not gotten there yet but i'm sure it's gonna take a little time to make sure you don't cut any wrong wires but if you take your time follow the wires it should clean up very well.

On my 400 I had issues with clearance from a plug on the intake so I had to put a flush plug in. I haven't done the swap on my 351w yet but I will someday soon. Then i'll play with getting rid of all the wires and make a post about it.

Oh and this is my first post...hi.

 

Hi, and thanks for the information. Welcome to the board. It will be a few weeks before I am ready for a permanent install. I am installing the the 9" rear end and the C6 is about mid-rebuild. I just want everything in running order before I tear it apart again for paint. I am looking forward to you thread. Good luck.

 

The original poster said HEI was his preference, and I can respect that. But this statement is absolutely false. It's true that the HEI is an improvement over a points ignition, but it is not an "improvement" over a correctly functioning Duraspark ignition. In fact, the stock Duraspark ignition module has a unique feature at start-up that actually retards the timing a few degrees for quicker starts and allows you run more timing. HEI and other aftermarket ignition systems does not have this feature.

"So much less cluttered" doesn't make HEI an "improvement." That makes it a change, and nothing more. And let's be clear: Ford Duraspark components can be purchased ANYWHERE as well. You can walk into any parts house, in any town, and they will have replacement parts for a stock Ford ignition system. I don't know what makes you think otherwise. That is one of the pros to sticking with any OEM ignition system: parts availability.

 

The only way to compare the dura-spark with HEI is to get rid of the can style coil and use a TFI coil. Then you'll have comparable ignitions. I like the HEI for the same reasons above. Less clutter,no funky plug ends to break or become corroded,no mess of wires to get in the way and become shorted,and definitely no overheating ignition box to fail. If you use actual HEAT SINK grease,99.9% of the time you wont have any trouble with the HEI module over heating and shutting off.

 

I like how the guy backing the dura spark didn't even address any of my points...

 

Besides your extremely helpful "call Mallory?" response to the original poster, all I saw from you was one other post, Chief.

I think you are confusing the Motorcraft and Autolite distributors with GM distributors. The stock Duraspark distributors have an excellent reputation for being extremely strong and reliable, and many people even use their stock Duraspark distributors with MSD racing components without any problems.

However, it is well known that the stock GM HEI distributor bushing does suffer from inadequate lubrication because of the extra weight of the coil and ignition module mounted on top of the distributor, a problem that the Ford distributor obviously doesn't have.

If you would pay attention to the original post, MaulMaul asked if he could "do away with the old Ford ignition box on the inner fender." To refresh your memory, a points style ignition wouldn't have an ignition box. However, a Duraspark ignition would have an ignition box there.


Sorry for the unhelpful responses, MaulMaul, and good luck with your conversion.

 

We could go back and forth all day about the benefits of one ignition system over another but the fact remains that it's more of a preference than anything else...and I prefer HEI. In my life I have had less issues with HEI than duraspark so therefore my comment above about HEI being an improvement still stands.

 

I think you are confusing the Motorcraft and Autolite distributors with GM distributors. The stock Duraspark distributors have an excellent reputation for being extremely strong and reliable, and many people even use their stock Duraspark distributors with MSD racing components without any problems.

However, it is well known that the stock GM HEI distributor bushing does suffer from inadequate lubrication because of the extra weight of the coil and ignition module mounted on top of the distributor, a problem that the Ford distributor obviously doesn't have.



Sorry for the unhelpful responses, MaulMaul, and good luck with your conversion. [/quote]
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I am not sure where you get your info about the extra weight having to do with the 'premature' wear on the bushings. But think about what you are saying. The GM distributor is supported by the intake manifold. The center shaft floats with the oil pump drive shaft,and meshes with the cam gear. There is NOT any 'EXTRA' weight.

 

In a Chevrolet engine, the distributor body has to support the entire length of the
shaft, and take the load of driving not only the distributor, but also the oil pump, plus
any radial loads imposed by the misalignment of the oil pump drive. The GM distributor
body is fed engine oil pressure to keep the bushings alive.

On a Ford, the bottom end of the distributor shaft is supported by the engine block, so
the bottom distributor bushing does not carry any radial loads. The tip of the Ford distributor
shaft is also fed engine oil pressure, but mainly to lubricate the bottom thrust surface of
the distributor gear. The Ford distributor bushings are lubricated by oil splash, because
they don't need the oil pressure feed to survive.

You are certainly entitled to your preference. Just don't pass off your preference as fact by
stating that it is an "improvement" and that "you can't get parts for a Ford ignition" when it is not
true.

There's absolutely nothing about an HEI that's better than what the factory system can
already do.

 

I have a question.is the dura spark system the same as the pertronix ? is the coil output the same? or is the pertronix only a up grade for a older points system?because i was going to do this " up grade" but now Im just confussed

 

The Pertronix is an upgrade over a points style ignition. If you currently have a points style ignition, this would be the simplest and cheapest way to go, and you can keep your same distributor. You can even switch back to points later, if you wish.

The Duraspark is an upgrade over a Pertronix ignition. If you currently have a points style ignition, you will have to replace the entire distributor with a Duraspark distributor. You can get all the parts at any parts store (distributor, coil, wires, cap, rotor, ignition module) except the wire harness. You will have to source the harness from a junkyard.

 

great .I have a 76 and it does have the dura spark so it sounds like I just need plugs and wires,
but while were on this subject ....when I checked my timing i was at about 12 btcd ,there was no sticker in the engine compartment but I think that about right but the timing light would blink steady and then it would like kinda blink not steady but when pointed it at the pully it did not move off of the mark but was still not a steady blink,like it has a mis ,and the motor runs ok and drives kinda ok but the truck does kinda vibrate at idle .
I did get the carb to stop poping so thanks to those who helped with that problem
btw it has a 390,with a holley 4v ,i still might get the edelbrock because this holley is making me crazy ,any thoughts on that and which edelbrock will fit this truck
thanks for the help again

 

here is another option that will clean up the wiring and still use the factory ford distributor.
Dave's Small-Body HEIs