HEI or coil?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
If its for the '78 in your signature block, It should have Duraspark electronic ignition. Its a good setup for a stock to mildly modified engine. I would keep it stock... and run a OE brand controller available from Rock Auto for reliability. Y
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
What do you mean "HEI or coil?" That's not a parallel comparison. A coil is a central part of any ignition system. HEI is one style of ignition. Your question is like saying "do you prefer McDonald's or lettuce."
"Performance" ignition is not a good investment on a stock motor. Your money is much better spent elsewhere. Ignition is such that the entire system should really be upgraded - not only is there little value in replacing only certain components; there can actually be detrimental effects. I agree with the others; stock Duraspark is more than plenty for any stock to mild engine.
"Performance" ignition is not a good investment on a stock motor. Your money is much better spent elsewhere. Ignition is such that the entire system should really be upgraded - not only is there little value in replacing only certain components; there can actually be detrimental effects. I agree with the others; stock Duraspark is more than plenty for any stock to mild engine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
Other than the ignition module which is prone to fail in a duraspark setup, the stock distributer is a good one. I had a DUI in my 521 and I went to a stock distributer with an MSD ignition box and the spark was much better than the DUI.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 1
From: townsend DE
i put a proform HEI dizzy on my windsor in my 78 and im pretty happy with it. only has a hand ful of miles but it seems to work great. the only thing that sucks about the hei is that its ****ing huge
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 282
Likes: 2
No kidding! I had to put a 2" air cleaner spacer on mine just to clear the wires....
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Courtenay, BC, Canada
I had some fit issues with my proform (p6004) hei on the 460 in my truck. The integrated cap is huge and may interfere with the water neck on your application as it did on mine.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 282
Likes: 2
NAPA Part #BK 6051090 is the same thermostat housing but with an angle cut out for clearing the dizzy. I still had to grind down a spot on it, but it fit far better than the stock 460 thermostat neck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
ya, that NAPA filler neck works with the 460, but still requires some grinding. Be careful to not grind to much. If you ever need to change the thermostat, it's tough to take the filler neck off with the dizzy in the 460. Another nice setup is the pertronix dizzy and coil.
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