HEI versus stock distributor
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 96
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From: Sandnes Norway
HEI versus stock distributor
What is the advantage going with a HEI dist over the stock dist?
Is there any at all? My stock is OK but I wonder if the HEI has an easier way to set up and control the timing advance curve.
Is there any at all? My stock is OK but I wonder if the HEI has an easier way to set up and control the timing advance curve.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
In my '70 I put in a HEI with tach drive because the old distributor
was shot. The coil is in the head of the distributor. You would need
to get new spart plug wires and plugs - cause you're going from about
25,000 to 50,000 volts. Other than tune ups - I did not notice any
difference in performance between the two. If yours works keep it.
was shot. The coil is in the head of the distributor. You would need
to get new spart plug wires and plugs - cause you're going from about
25,000 to 50,000 volts. Other than tune ups - I did not notice any
difference in performance between the two. If yours works keep it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,391
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
The stock points-type distributor is much easier to set up the advance curve on. It is very simply to alter the advance slot on the points distributor - the curve length is more difficult to alter and control on the HEI.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
If you want to maitain a stock look with your stock distributor you could install a Pertronix system that replaces the points. I have found that they work very well and give you the best of both worlds as far as origional looks and HEI performance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,391
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Some of the new aftermarket units have electronically adjustable curves. I haven't tried one yet, and they don't come with tach drives... But it's very easy to set up your stock points unit, and once it's set up, there is no need for re-adjustment.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Not knowing what my ignition was when I bought the car, I went with a MSD tach drive distributor, coil, and 6AL box. My car runs better than it has in a long time.(I stay in touch with the previous owners)
