is an hei odd fire dist worth the change over from the prestolite dist?

Hey Patrick,

I like your answer better.

 

whoa!!! i didn't realize that this was a topic that would rival the "ford vs. chevy" controversy. i am learning a lot. this is great.

ok. i grew up working on cars with points. simple easy, makes sense, easy to repair, etc. i am curious as to whether the 30Kv to 50Kv for hei makes that much difference over the normal 20Kv for the pertronics pointless install? again i am interested in not only performance but milage and emissions.

i was originally planning to eventually convert to the delco for the reliability factor but after reading more on msd and then hei i began to reconsider.

so does the higher voltage make that much difference? realizing that we're talking volts not amps to spark the fuel.

 

this is what i was always taught. thus i always set dwell first and then timing. when i reset or change dwell i usually have to reset the timing.

 

Guys,

Keep in mind that when I convert, I will still carry the original with a new set of points as a spare.

If the HEI should fail, I'll still be able to get out of the forest.

 

Patrick talk about nit picking , you're talking milliseconds at most, heck an HEI unit can have that problem as the stator and the bushings in the shaft wear, see now you're talking the time the spark gets to the plugs, not the mechanical timing of the distributor. If I make your number 1 spark plug wire longer, it in effect changes your timing simply because it takes longer for the spark to arrive at the plug!!.

 

I really dont want to get in a tiff over this, But speaking of reliability, You stated earlier that your points havent been adjusted in over 8000 miles, We have an old farm truck back in Oklahoma 1986 chevy and I dont remember ever doing any distribuitor work on it. . OVER 280,000 miles,I cant remember ever doing anything to this truck ignition wise until probally around 120,000 miles and that was just an ignition tune up.Hei rocks when it comes to reliability in my books, tested on the farm, and that old truck gets used and abused. Go with whatever you want, but looking at simple statistics, You cant be HEI .

 

Zed,

X2

Boy, did I start something. By the way, I'm an old Ford guy. Flatheads forever.

 

R) :? :twisted: R) :stout:

 

well, all I can say is if my Jeep ever has a no start condition, I can check the coil, the coil wire, and the points in about 2 seconds; replacement is a snap.
with HEI, your gonna shotgun, cause you won't know where the problem lies without proper, time consuming diagnostics. How long to change the module, if you carry one with you?
I can leave my key on by accident, fry my points, refile them and go home. I can also jump start without worry of blowing some electro giz whiz.

Can you do that with HEI?

 

what was the question Zed ????

 

Chris remember what I said I'm only playing devils advocate here, not trying to start a war. That said my dad had a 1978 Chevy truck that still has the original HEI unit in it and is still running, but it has the 2nd module in it and the truck went thru 6-7 sets of spark plug wires and caps the 1st year my father had it, thats how bad the HEI units were when they came out, the HEI worked flawlessly for the most part but the other components failed miserably due to the fact that GM concentrated on the HEI and not the other components that went with it and they suffered numerous breakdowns until about 1980 when the parts were all revised in construction.
By the way I am going to put a pertronixs in my jeep eventually, whenever the Mallory fails me.

 

i forget!

 

no war here

 

Nope.
:stout:

 

Aw come on guys I was just pointing out a few facts and having a little fun along the way. Like my dad always said, just because its modern doesn't mean its better, its all relative.

 

So true. I could rebiuld my old 296 ci '48 Merc flathead with a screwdriver, crescent wrench and a pair of pliers. Oh, those were the days.

 

remember I said I was stupid as I couldn't make mine run right after installation
still ticks me off
maybe an out of box DUI or one of those others
If JPE were here, we could have a real discussion on the subject !!!

 

umm agreed. so back to voltage. is the extra 10,000 volts to 30,000 volts make much of a difference. it seems logical that 30-50KV will burn cleaner and work better at high altitudes than the normal 20KV. but... ??

 

If thats what you like I say, have at it, I just like reliability of knowing I dont need to pop off the cap and check every 5,000 miles and wondering if it is gonna start. As for repair, its a no brainer. Check for 12 volts at the power wire and go from there . just as simple as points, but doesnt need to be done every 5-10,000 miles. C'mon man, you cant take my opinion personally, Thats the great thing about this, You post a question and get the input and opinions of many and take what you want. My opinion isnt necessarily correct, But facts are facts and that is all i am saying. There is a reason nobody produces a vehicle with pionts anymore. Reason is its outdated technology that went to the wayside for better reliability. Now my granddad wouldnt own a vehicle without pionts, Simply because they were the system he liked, and knew. I however am a mechanic and have been for quite some time. Diesel mech, A.S.E. auto and now Airframe and powerplant mechanic, So new technology doesnt bother me a bit.I use what I like and give free advice here for whatever its worth. If noone uses it thats fine, just trying to give my perspective and experience, just like you. ( CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG)