HEI Distributor Kill Switch
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
HEI Distributor Kill Switch
I've got an HEI Distributor that I was thinking about adding a kill switch between the battery/ingition and the distributor. When I shut the car off and when I leave that switch on (which will most likely happen), will it drain the battery? Or, is the kill switch just a bad idea?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 635
Likes: 3
From: Allyn WA
Is the purpose theft protection? Ive never stolen a car before, but I dont think a kill switch would be much of a deterrent. run a hot lead from the battery to the distributor and the kill switch is out of the loop
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,451
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
If you have shut the car off then the ignition is not hot, not powered up. So the answer is it will not drain the battery.
There are many good theft deterent ideas here, search around a little, but I like the idea of an electric valve that cuts the fuel. A valve like that is used on boats for switching between tanks.
Or just buy alot of insurance and FUGGETABOUTIT, the insurance company buys your car
There are many good theft deterent ideas here, search around a little, but I like the idea of an electric valve that cuts the fuel. A valve like that is used on boats for switching between tanks.
Or just buy alot of insurance and FUGGETABOUTIT, the insurance company buys your car
Last edited by John S 1961; Nov 27, 2013 at 03:04 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30,894
Likes: 1,189
From: chicago
there was a guy around chicago,that got stolen 4 times,twice inside the owners garage[one time the thief just turned the car around inside the garage],all by the same thief,each time the owner chained,bolted,kill switched the car,thief even left a note each time,owner finnaly just left the car outside and left the keys in it,it was never touched again,,so if they want it,its theirs,,,,a good kill switchgoes on the pos 12v wire to the HEI
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If they really want it they can get it but thats NO reason to take precautions why make it easier?!
Kill switches battery disconnect, Have a manual fuel shutoff. Even something simple like a shifter ball with the wrong pattern for reverse ( I drilled out an old 4 spd ball to fit on my 6 spd shifter) can help frustrate them.
Before I did the frame off (non vette) I put a switch just under the shift boot where I could still feel it but not be seen. That way noone, if they saw you parking could see you do it. Eliminate the amateurs at least.
Kill switches battery disconnect, Have a manual fuel shutoff. Even something simple like a shifter ball with the wrong pattern for reverse ( I drilled out an old 4 spd ball to fit on my 6 spd shifter) can help frustrate them.
Before I did the frame off (non vette) I put a switch just under the shift boot where I could still feel it but not be seen. That way noone, if they saw you parking could see you do it. Eliminate the amateurs at least.
Last edited by cv67; Nov 29, 2013 at 11:26 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 407
From: Bronx New York
It has been many moons but if I remember correctly I put a switch between the HEI Neg terminal and good ground to act as a theft deterrent switch on my HEI back in the day.
It may have also been part of a Chapman lock commonly used back then which also locked the hood via a cable and barrel lock. It was open and closed using a key in a cylinder usually hidden under the dash.
It may have also been part of a Chapman lock commonly used back then which also locked the hood via a cable and barrel lock. It was open and closed using a key in a cylinder usually hidden under the dash.
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From: Union City TN
St. Jude Donor '15
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
There are 1/2 dozen ways around a boot; some as simple deflating the tire to using $30 worth of hand tools: http://cyber.eserver.org/das_boot.txt. You can't always get them off but whose gonna carry that thing around anyway.
As to cut off switches - not a big fan; I've seen more than one poor guy troubleshooting start up problems for 45 minutes only to discover his anti-theft device was on - and its another point of failure in engine start up. Most thieves with a jumper wire can get by 90% of them anyway.
LoJak is LoJoke - there are $125 jammers that will block its signal that can be bought on line.
Just keep your insurance up to snuff and be careful where you park.
As to cut off switches - not a big fan; I've seen more than one poor guy troubleshooting start up problems for 45 minutes only to discover his anti-theft device was on - and its another point of failure in engine start up. Most thieves with a jumper wire can get by 90% of them anyway.
LoJak is LoJoke - there are $125 jammers that will block its signal that can be bought on line.
Just keep your insurance up to snuff and be careful where you park.