for some reason someone has installed points on my 87 f350 429 4x4 and i was wanting opinions on which way to go since points just wont do... i talked to jeffs bronco graveyard about the gm hei set up on our 385 series engines and i can have one shipped to my door for around $175 or i could get a duraspark 2 distributor off an early 80's 460....which would give the best performance? i know the gm hei is 50,000 volts but im not sure what the duraspark 2 is...

 

I can see going with the HEI for the ease of waterproofing but with an aftermarket coil, voltage should be on par using the duraspark.

 

The plus for the HEI is the one wire hookup.You could use the duraspark if the connections are intact.That might be the reason points setup is being used.I converted to HEI on my 460 and a 351w.If you get a quality unit you should be fine.

 

what is a quality unit?

 

A quality HEI distributor would be a mallory,proform,DUI,or even a Summit brand.Don't waste your money on a 30.00 Ebay product.I used proform dizzys.I did put Blue Locktite on the cam gear(where it slides onto the driveshaft) to ensure it didn't slide off the shaft since the gear isn't pinned to the shaft.Don't get me wrong,the gear wasn't loose.It's just that I noticed it wasn't pinned with a roll pin like the Chevys are.

 

the summit one looks to be pretty afforrdable. i might have to give it a shot.

 

gee u just get a gm distributor module for a 1980 camaro for like 15 dlrs, a little wire, and make a heatsink out some finned aluminum, i used a spare ford aluminum finned fender mounted module holder, and just grinded some alumium so the gm module would fit, whole setup like 20 dlrs,i heard using gm module has a longer dwell than the duraspark

 

i was reading a bunch on that last night, but i would rather just replace the whole dizzy with a new coil. the stuff in my truck has quite a few miles on it anyway.