I've read threads on FTE about the Procomp HEI units and for the most part from what I've read (other than how they may be curved) people who are using them seem to be pretty satisfied. I bought one off of Ebay for my 83 F-250 and I'm pretty anxious to try it out. I've got a 351W with the stock cam, are there any issues that anyone is aware of, or has experienced with these HEI's and the stock cam as far as new distributor drive gear and "well broken in" stock cam gear compatibility? I thought about putting the drive gear off of my Duraspark distributor on the HEI unit with the idea of having a matched "worn" set as opposed to one old and one new. I'm wondering if it's a reasonable idea to swap gears or even advisable. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

procomp doesn't have the best reputation. the distributers, at least the ones i've read about, have a nasty habit of blowing the shaft. check out 460ford.com and do a quick search on procomp. remember, you get what you pay for. if you're looking for a good HEI unit, consider one from performance distrubers. they're a sponsor for the site and provide a quality product, not a mass produced imported piece. as far as swapping gears, i've done it both ways working on engines in the past and never noticed a difference either way, so i can't advise on that. be prepared for some backlash on this issue, as an HEI dizzy is a chebby product with its own set of faults, and the DSII boxes have stood up well and are pretty well backed on this forum...

 

I agree that you get what you pay for. They may look pretty with that polished finish, but they are junk...be careful!

I would like to add that unless something was malfunctioning with your stock ignition, the ProComp HEI (or GM HEI, for that matter) is NOT an upgrade over Duraspark ignition system your truck came with. Don't let the "HEI" moniker fool you; the Duraspark ignition IS a high energy ignition system as well, plus it has the "start retard" function that the GM HEI and aftermarket does not. You will also find that with those huge distributor caps, you will probably have trouble getting an air cleaner to fit.

If you MUST go the "HEI" route, do as Navy says and check out Performance Distributors DUI unit. They have a MUCH better product than an ebay deal on cheap, foreign made ProComp distributers.

That being said, WHY would you want a GM design under the hood of your Ford?

 

Thanks for your reply NavyMIDN08. Yeah I hear you on the backlash, I figured after seeing quite a few views and no replies I may have ruffled some feathers. I bought what is called the "Ford small cap" dizzy. It has an old school points type Ford cap without the coil on top. Heck, I wouldn't want a GM style dizzy under my hood, it aint right. The last thing I want is a crappy distributor, I guess I'll see how this thing works and go from there. It isn't the $43.00 dollar special, but it was half the price of a MSD. The whole reason I bought it was because it was the only one that was available with a long shaft. Standard shafts, (which all aftermarket dizzy's seem to be) wont work in my truck. Thanks alot for the tech info! I appreciate all of the help I can get from the guys who know!!

 

I totally hear ya on the GM crap. Here's the thing, I've been a Ford guy for along time. I have an 09 F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab and I picked up this "little" 83 F-250 4X4 at an awesome price of 5 hundred a few months ago for dump runs and fire wood. It's in great shape, everything works except it came from hillbilly country. It appears "as far as the emissions system" that what ever quit working was removed and tossed away. Most all of the factory EEC components were gone. The only operational components left were the feedback carb and the Duraspark 3 dizzy. The amazing thing was it still ran! I even drove it from Idaho back to Washington. That's FORD for ya!! I think when they ran out of duct tape and bailing wire they decided to sell her to me. It would have costed a serious amount of cash to replace all the stuff they took out so I decided to run a Holley non feedback 2300 and a new distributor. Problem...........the Duraspark 3 dizzy is a long shaft. I looked for days for an aftermarket longshaft and my buddies at the Ford speed shop did too. No luck whatsoever. I found a "Ford small cap" dizzy by accident on ebay with a long shaft so I bought it. It doesn't have the mamouth cap and coil set up. It looks like an old school Ford points cap. Made in China? Probably, since I already made the deal on ebay I hope it works, it really wasn't that cheap money wise. If not, I sure as hell will look into the DUI. Thanks for your reply, that's why I joined FTE

 

Glad to help, kjay.

Unless your truck came from California, being an '83 F250, your truck should have the Duraspark II ignition and it should NOT have the EEC-IV computer nor feedback carburetor.

 

Everything has their faults. There is no problem running a GM part under a Ford hood, and there is no problem running a Ford part on a GM product. Both GM and Ford make good products and crap.

With that said, I do not see a problem with running the HEI style - BUT run a quality one as said before. If you do a search on here, you will find people complaining about the Duraspark too. It is more a question of what you feel comfortable with, BUT whatever you choose, do it right.

 

I'm not sure if it's a Cali truck or not but yeah, it did have a Holley feedback and Duraspark 3. As far as running the quality stuff you guys are absolutely right. I try to buy US on everything I need and it's getting harder and harder to do! I'm kinda in a quandry about eating the restocking fee and paying for return shipping on the dizzy I bought off ebay. To be honest, I'll probably give it a spin, take the "I told you so's" in stride and buy from the dealer you recommended if it ends up being a POS. Do you know by chance if they offer the long shaft dizzy?

 

Since you already bought it, might as well give it a spin (no pun intended). Let us know how it works - I would like to know how these compare.

 

Well no, the GM HEI is not junk (but the Pro-Comp HEI sure is), but it is NOT an improvement over a correctly functioning Duraspark. That is why I don't see any reason to change any of it.

You also have to remember, the Duraspark that is still on people's rides are now going on THIRTY (30) years old! That is a long time for any ignition system to keep working!

And also a big problem I have noticed is that when people replace the ignition modules, they typically get one from AutoZone, Advance Auto, etc, and that is a BIG mistake. Like anything else, you get what you pay for. If you buy a cheap module, that is exactly what you end up with, and they typically do not last very long. Buy Motorcraft replacement parts, and you get original equipment QUALITY parts that will last.

 

I will fully agree. Personally, one of the things I like about the HEI is the self contained set up. With that said, you are right, there is no improvement over the Duraspark.

 

I'll keep you posted with how it works with either an a-okay or a (another) buyer beware. Hopefully not the latter. I had reservations about the purchase, I absolutely could not find an aftermarket longshaft dizzy then I accidentally stumbled upon this one. It's still the only one I can find anywhere. I'm not sure but I think it'll be difficult if not imposible to find replacement parts other than the cap down the road. Thanks again for the info, I really appreciate you guys for your straight forwardness and honesty.

 

How did this work out for you? I'm in the same boat, my truck wont run at all below 1500 rpm, not good in the city lol. Looking for a durapark to go that route, but yards around here have one.

 

Up to this point I have no complaints about the procomp unit I bought. The truck runs like a top. Will I experience distributor problems in the future? Who's to say. I'm not all about foreign stuff under my hood, generally speaking I always buy US parts if available.This was the only long shaft distributor I could find anywhere so with reservation because of all the bad press it did it anyway. It sounds like alot of people haven't had great luck with Pro comp parts but so far for me.......it's been good.

 

I'm right there with you on foreign parts, but my budget is what it is and this is my only vehicle, I'm walking around right now.

Now when you say long shaft, do you mean because you have a 351w versus a 302? Or are there two 351w shaft lengths? I also have a 351w.