HEI Distrubutors
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HEI Distrubutors
Are these distrubutors worth there money or am I better off with the stock electronic on my truck. I even thought about the mallory dual points. I have just been having alot of problems with my ignitions lately and was looking into optoins that could elemnate some of the hassel of everything. I thought points would be the simplist but dont know if it will ruin any proformance that I gain from the elctronic and the HEI I thought would be simple because it is just one wire to go to it like the proforms blue caps. Any thoughts and these?
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Keep it stock. You have the best ignition system. Replacements and parts are readily available. Parts testing is usually free at any parts store. The stock system has a timing retard on start that helps with hot starts. It is easy to fix if you follow the guides in the repair manuals and easier to get help with stock wiring. If you want hassle go back to points...
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I have been looking at a Davis Unified Ignition distributor. Is this what you are looking into 78? Uses all GM HEI stuff, but has a custom distirbutor body that fits the Ford engine. The ancient wiring is giving me problems w/my ignition, I am ready to even change to points if neccessary.
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I cannot find new connectors for the coil, firewall connections, etc & mine are crumbling. I got a couple from the junkyard but they are 20+ yrs old also. One broke upon installation. Where have you seen the Preform? The DUI is $400, but I am tired of module replacement on the sde of the road & coils going bad. $400 seems cheap VS junking the truck. I really ike the GM HEI system, all self contained-no mile of wiring+connectors to corrode,no resistor wire, just run 12v & you are done.
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Hey 78fordranger, I found the Proform HEI @Summit. I am gonna order one & I will let you know how it goes. They are only $200, I have spent that lately on a coil, module & a tow home. I'm gonna trash all the old wiring that I have pulled out & inspected over the weekend. I guess when the connectors are shot it is time for another system. This old truck has never missed a lick until the past month or two when the ignition started acting up.
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Painless Performance has a wiring kit with a new DS-II harness, Part# 30812
http://www.painlessperformance.com/ but they want $110 for it so I usually just go get them at the salvage yards. Every Ford vehicle from about 74 thru 84 had them in it.
When you install those GM style ignitions don't complain when you burn up starters and can't start your trucks when the engine is warm.
http://www.painlessperformance.com/ but they want $110 for it so I usually just go get them at the salvage yards. Every Ford vehicle from about 74 thru 84 had them in it.
When you install those GM style ignitions don't complain when you burn up starters and can't start your trucks when the engine is warm.
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I got another harness from the yard, but the connectors started crumbling when plugged in,,all the salvage yard stuff that will fit is 20 yrs old. As I said above, I will report back on my experience. If the timing is set correctly the truck will start fine when hot or cold. I have a number of GM products w/HEI & never have starter problems w/them, don't see why this truck would have them. Most timing problems are from incorrect inital or total advance.
Last edited by 79f3504x4; Nov 28, 2006 at 07:32 AM.
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My concern with the stock ignition is that it is spread out and so many components seems like when you do have a problem there is alot to search for , like wires and conncectors. I thought with the HEI system that I would down size and keep the the electronic part of the ignitions and leave some trouble be hind. But I dont know because I never had a HEI system before, the ony chevy I owned was a 69 half ton with a 250 striaght six. to be honest it did me good never really had problems with that truck.
Last edited by 78fordranger; Nov 28, 2006 at 11:32 AM.
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78, I should have this new dist in another day or two. I spent all weekend w/a Fluke multimeter in hand using the original Ford shop manuals & now the truck won't run at all. Before it just wouldn't run right under load. I am guessing during my testing/checking I have broken a wire somewhere but I am fed up w/it. I found out I had too much voltage to the coil, that is why they are going out. Tried wirng a ballst resistor inline but no change. Truck is a one owner, no cut up wiring, no mods, just some crumbling connectors & old wiring. I asked a fellow tech if he knew anything about Ford ignitions,,he said "Noooooooooooooooooo!". Maybe a new harness would fix it. I have had troubles the past couple mos w/it, a new coil would make it run perfectly for 2 days. It gets such horrible fuel mileage I only use it to haul firewood & the trash once a week. In have a couple of mid 60s Chevy trucks w/HEI added & it is very dependable.
Last edited by 79f3504x4; Nov 28, 2006 at 12:21 PM.
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Well, I've only driven it from the shop to the house(a few hundred feet) because my little giirl is asleep & I can't leave. But it sure was nice to drop in the dizzy & fire it right up. No sluggishness or cutting out like before, & the original air cleaner still fits.
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Glad you got it "fixed". Are you sure you ever followed Franklin's directions and properly tested you coil voltage with the engine running? We can't help you if you won't follow directions. The directions in the manuals must be followed also without skipping around. The DS system is really rock simple to deal with.
Lots of people have hot starting problems. The timing retard cuts battery draw and wear on the starter significantly which is why it is there. Otherwise Ford would have saved lots of money and not put it in.
Lots of people have hot starting problems. The timing retard cuts battery draw and wear on the starter significantly which is why it is there. Otherwise Ford would have saved lots of money and not put it in.
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Yes, Eric, I checked the voltage @ the coil, specs call for 4.9-7.9 volts my truck had 11.79 while running(battery voltage was 12.89 running) . I am guessing that is why a new coil would make it run fine for a couple days. Coil & module would get very hot to the touch in a short period of time. One thing about this dizzy is GM advance stuff will work, adjustable vacuum advance can, etc. so I am pretty sure I can dial it in OK as far as the timing. I have the complete set of '79 Ford shop manuals(body,chassis ,elec;powertrain;pre-delivery, etc.) & the OE wiring diagram book. A new harness would have prolly fixed it as I found some corrosion inside some of the wires(skinned back some insulation & found it). Truck has 143k after 27 years so it has been idle quite a bit. Brian
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Truck runs great, has just a bit more part throttle pinging than before, which I'm sure I can remedy by adjusting the vacuum advance can tomorrow in the daylight. Much more power & easier starting than before, so I am guessing this problem has been creeping up for a while & just finally reached the point of really poor running.
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Glad to see it working for you. I think I narrowed my problem to the switch in my truck I dont get power coming to my module sometimes when the key is on. so maybe I wont get to change my distrbutor.