electronic ignition
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
electronic ignition
I see a couple threads on using HEI. I have been tempted but never bought one. No arguing of the simplicity and benefits. Personally, I just couldn't get past having that big ugly chevy part in my face. I know it's a little more work but I have used a Duraspark II distributor with the coil from an efi engine with a GM module (you can even hide it inside a duraspark module if you want). I've been running one on a 300-6 for years and love it. All junkyard parts except the new module, about $50 total investment.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I'll take my points over an HEI on my Ford. Sorry, just can't stomach that beast taking up the whole front of the engine. Duraspark, maybe.
I still run points on my blown 390!!! 10 yrs, haven't touched them yet. Goes to 6K rpm before you know it.
I still run points on my blown 390!!! 10 yrs, haven't touched them yet. Goes to 6K rpm before you know it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,221
Likes: 6
From: Cow Town, CA
I am running a Duraspark II with a Chrysler ignition box works great. I got all new parts but made sure that they were parts that could be found in a junk yard so that if i ever have an issue i will be able to get parts if i have to.
I agree that the GM HEI are just too big to look good
I agree that the GM HEI are just too big to look good
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 1
i have done a TON of reading on this, and if you're not afraid of wire, you can easily (and cheaply) get aftermarket performance for junkyard pricing.
i'm with you- can't stand the look of the HEI distributor.
if i was going to HEI, i'd use the stock Duraspark dizzy and hide the HEI module in the Duraspark box.
if you've got a points distributor, you can use it to trigger the early-90s-era remote-mount TFI module.
so either way- it can be done for almost nothing. get a TFI coil, and:
if you've got DS, you spend $20 on a HEI module, and hide it.
if you're got points, you spend $25 on TFI module (junkyard pricing).
i'm running the points/TFI setup in my Galaxie, and love it.
i'm with you- can't stand the look of the HEI distributor.
if i was going to HEI, i'd use the stock Duraspark dizzy and hide the HEI module in the Duraspark box.
if you've got a points distributor, you can use it to trigger the early-90s-era remote-mount TFI module.
so either way- it can be done for almost nothing. get a TFI coil, and:
if you've got DS, you spend $20 on a HEI module, and hide it.
if you're got points, you spend $25 on TFI module (junkyard pricing).
i'm running the points/TFI setup in my Galaxie, and love it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
My biggest stink about electronics is.........ya they are pretty bulletproof. BUT, with the crap I have to do to get to them under my blower, I'd rather have a set of regular old points and not worry about random failure along the road. Not that points don't fail, but they USUALLY give you some warning(hard to start, bad idle).
Had plenty of thought of Pertronix, but with the failure rate I've heard I wasn't taking the chance there either.
To each their own.
Had plenty of thought of Pertronix, but with the failure rate I've heard I wasn't taking the chance there either.
To each their own.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 1
My biggest stink about electronics is.........ya they are pretty bulletproof. BUT, with the crap I have to do to get to them under my blower, I'd rather have a set of regular old points and not worry about random failure along the road. Not that points don't fail, but they USUALLY give you some warning(hard to start, bad idle).
Had plenty of thought of Pertronix, but with the failure rate I've heard I wasn't taking the chance there either.
To each their own.
Had plenty of thought of Pertronix, but with the failure rate I've heard I wasn't taking the chance there either.
To each their own.
believe me, i'm not knocking points. the ignition on my F100 is bone stock, and it lights up as soon as i hit the key.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I know, not a problem. Had plenty of people ask WTF when I tell I still run stock single points in a blown motor.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: AL
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 1
i used the instructions here:
Points to Electronic Ignition Cheap & Easy - ADVrider
also go here and read the "better ignition" page:
gofastforless.com
bottom line:
remove (or bypass) resistor wire...its no longer needed.
swap your old coil out for the TFI coil. (the late 80s broncos have a nice mounting bracket.)
pins 3 & 6 get tied together, and then go to coil +
pin 5 goes to your points
pin 2 goes to coil -
pin 1 goes to a good ground
DONE.
this cost me $40 at the local junkyard and i cannot tell ANY difference over the Pertronix/MSD setup that it replaced.
i sold the Pertronix/MSD on Fleabay and ended up with $160 in my pocket.
Points to Electronic Ignition Cheap & Easy - ADVrider
also go here and read the "better ignition" page:
gofastforless.com
bottom line:
remove (or bypass) resistor wire...its no longer needed.
swap your old coil out for the TFI coil. (the late 80s broncos have a nice mounting bracket.)
pins 3 & 6 get tied together, and then go to coil +
pin 5 goes to your points
pin 2 goes to coil -
pin 1 goes to a good ground
DONE.
this cost me $40 at the local junkyard and i cannot tell ANY difference over the Pertronix/MSD setup that it replaced.
i sold the Pertronix/MSD on Fleabay and ended up with $160 in my pocket.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Most of the failure of electronic ignition I have observed in my years as a shop owner were due to poor maintenance. High secondary resistance. GM did have some problems with rotors burning through in the early years of HEI but got that resolved with better materials.
I have also ran a Petronix on an old 69 390 for years with no problems. My hotrod has a 260 with points, not even new ones, the same set that it had when parked 20 years ago, fires first time every time. The problem I have with points is the crappy quality of all the ones I've bought in the last 10-15 years. The rubbing block always seems to wear away in the first 500 miles. Usually after re-setting them they seem ok though.
I have also ran a Petronix on an old 69 390 for years with no problems. My hotrod has a 260 with points, not even new ones, the same set that it had when parked 20 years ago, fires first time every time. The problem I have with points is the crappy quality of all the ones I've bought in the last 10-15 years. The rubbing block always seems to wear away in the first 500 miles. Usually after re-setting them they seem ok though.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
One good thing about having an hei is I dont have to open my hood to look at the big dizzy. Haha. All jokes aside, I recommend the hei to anyone going electronic.....dont have all the wires as the duraspark.....cleaner look.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Same with the popularity of Delco one wire alternators. Pure junk IMHO, when you could have a 3G ford that makes 95 amps at idle, takes up less room has the brushes and regulator serviceable from the out side. They are $10 all day long in the junkyards and only require 2 wires but that's 2 more than many hobbiests want to deal with or understand.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 1
I guess I'm just old and learned to make do instead of order new. I realize that a simple one wire is attractive to the masses since so many are intimidated by those little invisible electrons.
Same with the popularity of Delco one wire alternators. Pure junk IMHO, when you could have a 3G ford that makes 95 amps at idle, takes up less room has the brushes and regulator serviceable from the out side. They are $10 all day long in the junkyards and only require 2 wires but that's 2 more than many hobbiests want to deal with or understand.
Same with the popularity of Delco one wire alternators. Pure junk IMHO, when you could have a 3G ford that makes 95 amps at idle, takes up less room has the brushes and regulator serviceable from the out side. They are $10 all day long in the junkyards and only require 2 wires but that's 2 more than many hobbiests want to deal with or understand.
I'm not an electrician- but I can follow directions. There's so much good information available that makes this stuff easy to set up.
I've always been surprised that these types of low-dollar junkyard swaps don't get more attention.