HEI distributor for 300
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Barnesville, Ga
HEI distributor for 300
FYI Evalero1 on ebay sells a new HEI (GM style) distributor for the 240/300 six, I bought one and I can dump the Ford ignition. It's a one wire job, I'll let you know how it does when I install it. The best thing ever to come out from GM was the HEI distributor, and the after-market guys are making them to fit almost any thing... except the Y blocks. There are also versions for flathead V8's front mount pre-'49s and 49-53 8BA, sbf, Cleveland/M/460, FE/MEL, even the little six's (144-250).
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Barnesville, Ga
Yeah, it's the only way to go, I've got one for a 302, and 400 I'm going to mod to fit my 54 LYB 317 T-bucket engine. I got hooked on them when I was doing GM powered street rods, I love them.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
HEI in itself is not an issue. The problem has been with poorly made aftermarket distributors. I noticed the other day that Pertronix has a HEI unit. While I haven't read for what applications they are available, I would trust them more than the crap sold on E-Bay.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
The 73-79 Ford truck are some of the best trucks ever made 
Why put some across the waters made BS on one .. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
I guess it's just an appearance thing for me but, I don't like the big, bulky look of the HEI Government Motors distributor.
The Ford Duraspark distributor looks much better and in the case of a Ford 302 engine, the HEI distributor often causes clearance issues with other items on the engine, because of its size.
If you want the fire power of the HEI, you can use the ignition module from it without installing the freakishly large GM distributor itself.
You can use a Duraspark II distributor with the wider cap spacing (reduces cross-firing), the HEI module and an old Duraspark control module housing to put the HEI module into. --the GM module is mounted out of sight inside the Duraspark module housing and no one would be the wiser that you have a GM product on your Ford.
TRICKY or TRICK? HEI Module Inside Duraspark Case - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum
The Ford Duraspark distributor looks much better and in the case of a Ford 302 engine, the HEI distributor often causes clearance issues with other items on the engine, because of its size.
If you want the fire power of the HEI, you can use the ignition module from it without installing the freakishly large GM distributor itself.
You can use a Duraspark II distributor with the wider cap spacing (reduces cross-firing), the HEI module and an old Duraspark control module housing to put the HEI module into. --the GM module is mounted out of sight inside the Duraspark module housing and no one would be the wiser that you have a GM product on your Ford.
TRICKY or TRICK? HEI Module Inside Duraspark Case - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
I'm not big on the looks of the HEI, but more than that, the Duraspark design with the electronics not in proximity to the high-voltage is simply a better one from an engineering perspective. I can understand how those doing wiring from scratch appreciate the simpler installation of the HEI though.
Run a Duraspark II module, the wide cap on your distributor, and swap to the later Ford TFI coil, and you'll be better off than with the HEI setup anyhow.
Run a Duraspark II module, the wide cap on your distributor, and swap to the later Ford TFI coil, and you'll be better off than with the HEI setup anyhow.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
I'm not big on the looks of the HEI, but more than that, the Duraspark design with the electronics not in proximity to the high-voltage is simply a better one from an engineering perspective. I can understand how those doing wiring from scratch appreciate the simpler installation of the HEI though.
Run a Duraspark II module, the wide cap on your distributor, and swap to the later Ford TFI coil, and you'll be better off than with the HEI setup anyhow.
Run a Duraspark II module, the wide cap on your distributor, and swap to the later Ford TFI coil, and you'll be better off than with the HEI setup anyhow.
and with maybe the red gromet Duraspark II module ..
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
Yeah, the red grommet module was actually a CA-only Duraspark I module, which included dwell control and didn't require the use of a ballast resistor. It's a nice choice for pairing with the TFI coil.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
I have the Blue strain relief module.
Duraspark distributor from an '83 Ford 300 and the blue strain relief module I have to replace the points distributor in the 240 I have in my '69 F100.
Duraspark distributor from an '83 Ford 300 and the blue strain relief module I have to replace the points distributor in the 240 I have in my '69 F100.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 32
A good remy delco one wire and hei makes me happy.. Iv had good luck with original but I have had more with the simpler wiring..
My ordeals may be due to the fact that all Alabamian PO's are seemingly electrical HACKS!
My ordeals may be due to the fact that all Alabamian PO's are seemingly electrical HACKS!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 862
Likes: 7
From: like subarctic, brrr man!
I personally would try to keep it "In the Family", but am not afraid to mix stuff up.
I once had an AMC, and they are mixed up from the factory!
So, how about a Chrysler Minivan wasted spark coil tower?
Attachment 289869
anyone? ANYONE??? Hello??!!
I once had an AMC, and they are mixed up from the factory!
So, how about a Chrysler Minivan wasted spark coil tower?
Attachment 289869
anyone? ANYONE??? Hello??!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Crank trigger/harmonic balancer before I prettied it up.
Crank trigger/harmonic balancer (after) on the left, cam position sensor (takes the place of the distributor) in the middle, 8-cylinder ignition module on the right.
Not shown, the VR (Variable Reluctance) sensor that mounts to the timing cover and reads the pulses from the teeth on the trigger wheel.--not that the engine would hold up to it, but this system's spark delivery is accurate to 10,000 RPMs.