Mike Ward

No ignition system 'upgrade' will give you better performance. The spark either lights the fuel and air- or it doesn't.

Tumblershawn

Thanks mardyn. It seems to be simpler, I.e. Fewer parts?... I guess I won't touch it nukes it piles up, too many other things to spend performance upgrade budget on!

Tumblershawn

Thanks Mike. What about the 'stronger spark', 'wider plug gap'... All that.... I read a thread here earlier that suggested the best Performance ignition wise would be achieved by buying the cheap AC plugs and changing them out every couple months as opposed to ignition fancy plugs and wires. That ring true?

Mike Ward

It might make a difference in a 1/10th percentile all-out racing engine-maybe. Street driven cars, nope. Beware the snake oil marketing claims.

Tumblershawn

Excellent thank you.

68L79

I saw a test done on a dynometer between the two distributors on the internet...the points actually out performed the HEI at a couple of high rpm points...my 327-350hp spins very quickly with the orig points distributor and I know at one time 8,000 rpm was showing with no cut out...and if things don't work...its a very easy fix...its either the points or condensor. My 327 was balanced by the old Nascar race team of Banjo Matthews and this makes the distributor really turn more quickly than stock.

You cannot get performance with Made in China points...buy the top line points from NAPA...Echlin brand. You will get all the rpm you want unless you are racing your vette...my last set of points was in the car from 1993 to this year...21 years with NO problems...just an adjustment to points a time or two.

I even tried both distributors in my 49 chevy with 283...ran the HEI first...switched to points and I am happier.

Tumblershawn

Thanks 68. Quick question, Petronix = Made in China?
So given the choice, you woudnt rebuild an HEI with an MSD kit?
Also, your alternator pulley, did you powder coat that? Looks great?

Shawn

68L79

Hey Shawn... The photo is of my 49 chevy 283...not the vette 327. The pully on the 283 was cleaned real good (purple cleaner and then dawn), then used hi temp primer and hi temp chevy orange (dupi-color)...so far so good...the car and engine only have about 600 miles on them. I do not know about Petronix...never used it nor do I want to use it. I have found that chevy was pretty smart about figuring out what works best overall...most aftermarket is PURE JUNK from where I sit and is for making big $$$$$$ and not necessarily for working good.

Here is a link to my vette....BEFORE rebuilding the carb due to no power valve feeding gas and still running points and plugs installed in 1993.

TURN UP THE SOUND!!!

Tumblershawn

Judging by the sound of the Vette, you know what you are talking about, so sweet!

mrvette

I met one of the GM engineers that worked with the HEI, decades ago, and so he is correct by my observations also....in that the only thing MSD can do better than HEI, is fire a over rich idle mix and so engine runs better/smoother it idle.....and over the years, I have proven that many times to myself......

the HEI should fit just fine in any shark.....got one in my '72.....

that mechanical tach crap is just that, modern 'tronics' is better there, so get one from a 75-77 vette.....

68L79

Thanks...put some av gas in it and it is a handfull....and now that the carb is fixed...made it much faster than the video.

Its been bored 60 over and has micky thompson 11:15 to 1 pistons...and with the engine being balanced and a more aggresive cam....I would say its very close to or over 400 HP now. Not many stock big blocks 71 and later am I afraid of...ford, chrysler or chevy in a 1/4 mile.

Tumblershawn

She's a beauty. Thanks for the advice all!

blunblk68

put a 90 dollar tach drive hei unit in my 74 and it works great!!!

Tumblershawn

Just to confirm, as wow there is a lot of conflicting info out there.... On BBCs with an HEI, plugs should be gapped to 0.045?
Checked mine last night,gapped at 0.035, and they were a bit crusted and dirty, NGK YR5s. As they look like they could use a change I thought I would clean them up and gap them to 0.045 first to get an idea if that is going to smooth things out. Car runs ok, a bit rough... Does anyone any experience that might save me from a wasted couple hours?
Thanks
S