HEI or DSII
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
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From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
HEI or DSII
I just got my 351w EFI to carb done. Motor is complete with mechanical fuel pump timing cover and cast intake. I’m ready to drop this in my 83 4x4 in place of the old 300. Should I go with an HEI or the DSII? At some point this truck is getting a 66 cab. I’m thinking wiring the HEI might be easier. My concern is reliability and parts availability. I don’t want some odd HEI that I can’t buy off the shelf auto parts store parts for.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 133
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Most parts stores always stock HEI ignitors. The oldest ones are simple, four wire doodads, with later ones adding functions and wires. MSD and Mallory, etc., make aftermarket ones. You can pick whichever one has the features you want/need and wire it up lickity split. Just put it on a good heatsink and you're ready to rock.
But - parts stores always stock HEI parts because they fail often enough to sell well. Guess why most parts stores don't keep Duraspark ignition modules in stock...
But - parts stores always stock HEI parts because they fail often enough to sell well. Guess why most parts stores don't keep Duraspark ignition modules in stock...
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
I’m thinking about cap and rotor and all the maintenance parts. Is it the same cap as a GM HEI? I just don’t want some odd ball stuff.
as far DSII modules I have an extra behind the seat already. It came from a parts store and I’ve had to replace a few through the years.
as far DSII modules I have an extra behind the seat already. It came from a parts store and I’ve had to replace a few through the years.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,015
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From: SoCal
I think it's great to be able to have everything sitting on top of the distributor to simplify wiring. However, I worry about all the concentrated heat right behind the radiator. I think that's a benefit witht he GM engines; their distributors are in the back, away from the fan wash.
The DS2 module is much bigger, so any heat it generates is more distributed, and you mount it on an inner fender, where the heat is more easily dissipated. The only problem I've had was running the trigger wires too close to the coil high tension wire in my conversion. I have both the module and coil mounted in the same area, and ran the wires almost together. Initially the engine would start to stumble at around 3000 rpm, get worse at higher speeds, and would not get past about 4500. I re-ran the wires to keep them as far apart as possible, and it ran much better. Ford's stock setup keeps these wire well apart from each other.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Oh - you guys are talking about a whole coil-in-cap type of conversion. Sorry, I thought you were using a stock mechanical/vacuum-advance Ford distributor and regular coil, and were asking if the Chevy or Ford ignition control module were better. My bad.
Personally, I've never seen one of these hybrid distributors - I don't know if it is a stock HEI up top with a Ford bottom, or if it's a Ford distributor with a special cap. Sounds expensive.
But, if you're looking for parts availability and simplicity, a stock Ford dizzy with an HEI ignition control module is hard to beat. Ford caps and rotors are always in stock, and so are the HEI modules. Recurve kits are cheap. And the four prong HEI module only needs Batt+, coil-, and the other two wires are for the pickup in the distributor - grounds through it's mount. Cheap, widely available.
Personally, I've never seen one of these hybrid distributors - I don't know if it is a stock HEI up top with a Ford bottom, or if it's a Ford distributor with a special cap. Sounds expensive.
But, if you're looking for parts availability and simplicity, a stock Ford dizzy with an HEI ignition control module is hard to beat. Ford caps and rotors are always in stock, and so are the HEI modules. Recurve kits are cheap. And the four prong HEI module only needs Batt+, coil-, and the other two wires are for the pickup in the distributor - grounds through it's mount. Cheap, widely available.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,835
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From: Candy Mountain
I ran a Proform HEI distributor on an 1988 351w for 5+ years with no problems. Air cleaner clearance was an issue, but was resolved by using a smaller diameter housing with a taller filter. If you are running a roller cam you would have to replace the distributor gear to match.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
I ran a Proform HEI distributor on an 1988 351w for 5+ years with no problems. Air cleaner clearance was an issue, but was resolved by using a smaller diameter housing with a taller filter. If you are running a roller cam you would have to replace the distributor gear to match.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 163
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From: F.L. Wisconsin
Ran an HEI on my 66 Plymouth 400ci Satellite. Eliminated resistor, clean setup. The only problem so far is the Mopar folks grumbling. I just ordered another one for my 83 f150 351w. Remember you get what you pay for. You can pick them up from $80.00 to $400.00. I use DUI at $369.00. As for parts, cap, rotor, module you can use anything from 70s chevy v8. That's what the guys at DUI told me.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
Thank you. I have an MSD brand HEI for a SBC in my shop. The distributor is broken but all the components are there. They would make spares???
I had no idea the GM stuff would fit it.
I had no idea the GM stuff would fit it.
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