hei or points type??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Florida
hei or points type??
Just wondering pro and cons. My very stock 74 coupe with 195 hp is giving me some issues. I haven't had the car long but the car has hard starts on hot motor. I have done all I can do for the famed "heat soak." New starter, heat wrap, ground checks and adjustments, etc. Now all I get is a starter drag unless I let her cool off.
I am going to attempt to check the timing since I don't know when it was done last.
I was wondering if changing the points and related is advisable or just go ahead and go to hei. Also, if hei is advisable, will I have any modifications to make or is it an afternoon in the back yard job.
Thanks for any and all input
Frank
I am going to attempt to check the timing since I don't know when it was done last.
I was wondering if changing the points and related is advisable or just go ahead and go to hei. Also, if hei is advisable, will I have any modifications to make or is it an afternoon in the back yard job.
Thanks for any and all input
Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
It won't hurt to drop by NAPA and get Echlin points and condensor. While you are at it get a rotor and distributor cap. Do a tune-up. Set dwell and timing and the car should purr. Nothing wrong with the pre-1975 setup.
As Mike noted the HEI distributor will not have provision for the tach drive although such (generally Chinese) units are out there. Then you have some ignition wiring to do. Then you will have to go from 7mm to 8mm spark plug wires. Then you will have to re-gap the spark plugs. Just a few thoughts.
As Mike noted the HEI distributor will not have provision for the tach drive although such (generally Chinese) units are out there. Then you have some ignition wiring to do. Then you will have to go from 7mm to 8mm spark plug wires. Then you will have to re-gap the spark plugs. Just a few thoughts.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
I got a HEI distributor with tach drive for my '70 some years ago for under $200 - has worked just great - but, I did not notice any performance enhancement. Unless you want to spend the money on the dist, wires and plugs just make sure you have a good tune-up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
go to ebay and look for the dragon fire HEI from the company called Allignition. They have GM clone HEIs with tach drive. Many many people here have one and i challenge you to find someone with a problem with it. they are an oustanding unit.
probably is chinese but who cares, it works flawlessly.
probably is chinese but who cares, it works flawlessly.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
go to ebay and look for the dragon fire HEI from the company called Allignition. They have GM clone HEIs with tach drive. Many many people here have one and i challenge you to find someone with a problem with it. they are an oustanding unit.
probably is chinese but who cares, it works flawlessly.
probably is chinese but who cares, it works flawlessly.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
It won't hurt to drop by NAPA and get Echlin points and condensor. While you are at it get a rotor and distributor cap. Do a tune-up. Set dwell and timing and the car should purr. Nothing wrong with the pre-1975 setup.
As Mike noted the HEI distributor will not have provision for the tach drive although such (generally Chinese) units are out there. Then you have some ignition wiring to do. Then you will have to go from 7mm to 8mm spark plug wires. Then you will have to re-gap the spark plugs. Just a few thoughts.
As Mike noted the HEI distributor will not have provision for the tach drive although such (generally Chinese) units are out there. Then you have some ignition wiring to do. Then you will have to go from 7mm to 8mm spark plug wires. Then you will have to re-gap the spark plugs. Just a few thoughts.
But I would first check to make sure that the timing isn't too advanced. That could give cranking problems.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
. An inexpensive solution. Routine maintenance can do wonders.But keep your posts in one place....Tech or General.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 2, 2009 at 05:32 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Its a very tight fit but it can be done.I tried it all,and the HEI unit beats them all hands down! I bought it from Allignition.And it does have the mechanical tach drive.
Its about a three hour job.
Its about a three hour job.
Last edited by redcruz1120; Aug 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM.