HEI Distributors
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Elyria Ohio
HEI Distributors
Has anyone tried to change there old distributorw/ tach drive,with the HEI dist. Called dragon fly by alligniton ? Does it work well, and if so what is needed to install one? I have a 68-427 BB.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
I installed a tach drive HEI on my 1970 for more performance. Had to get new plug wires to handle the hotter spark. I'm really didn't notice much difference. Easy Mike has a good idea - plus you avoid potential problem of the HEI hitting the air cleaner.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
the upgrade only changes your trigger signal to opto's inplace of points.
an HEI increases your coil power, over a standard points coil.
I installed the HEI with mechanical drive, its a tight fit,
and you may have to change your air cleaner base if you go with HEI !
I kept my points for over 25 years, and finally converted to HEI,
glad I did ! 69VETT
an HEI increases your coil power, over a standard points coil.
I installed the HEI with mechanical drive, its a tight fit,
and you may have to change your air cleaner base if you go with HEI !
I kept my points for over 25 years, and finally converted to HEI,
glad I did ! 69VETT
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Elyria Ohio
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Temecula CA
Summit and Jegs have kits to mod your distributor. I used a Dragon Fire HEI tach drive unit in my 72. I found it on E bay. It works great and is easy to install and was really inexpensive. I didn't have any issues with it fitting with my air cleaner (which is non-stock). I suppose it would not fit under the ignition shielding (my shielding was long-gone when I bought the car). Good luck!
Temvette72
Temvette72
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
Pertronix has been around for a long time. I'd still take a HEI just for the ease of finding parts should it crap out on the road somewhere.
http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor/default.aspx
http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor/default.aspx
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
With PERTRONIX, you can't go very wrong because in the odd case of failing unit, you can easily reinstall the points + condenser and keep going the old fashion way.
To get to 50.000 V , you just need to install a 50.000 V coil, also available from PETRONIX ( or any other vendor ) and you have the HEI power looking stock .
I am running PETRONIX with the yellow ACCEL high Voltage coil using the original type metal braided ( shielded ) spark plug wires without any issues.
Rgds. Günther
With PERTRONIX, you can't go very wrong because in the odd case of failing unit, you can easily reinstall the points + condenser and keep going the old fashion way.
To get to 50.000 V , you just need to install a 50.000 V coil, also available from PETRONIX ( or any other vendor ) and you have the HEI power looking stock .
I am running PETRONIX with the yellow ACCEL high Voltage coil using the original type metal braided ( shielded ) spark plug wires without any issues.
Rgds. Günther
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,951
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Hi
With PERTRONIX, you can't go very wrong because in the odd case of failing unit, you can easily reinstall the points + condenser and keep going the old fashion way.
To get to 50.000 V , you just need to install a 50.000 V coil, also available from PETRONIX ( or any other vendor ) and you have the HEI power looking stock .
I am running PETRONIX with the yellow ACCEL high Voltage coil using the original type metal braided ( shielded ) spark plug wires without any issues.
Rgds. Günther
With PERTRONIX, you can't go very wrong because in the odd case of failing unit, you can easily reinstall the points + condenser and keep going the old fashion way.
To get to 50.000 V , you just need to install a 50.000 V coil, also available from PETRONIX ( or any other vendor ) and you have the HEI power looking stock .
I am running PETRONIX with the yellow ACCEL high Voltage coil using the original type metal braided ( shielded ) spark plug wires without any issues.
Rgds. Günther
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Actually, you "set" the voltage by changing the spark plug gap. Now, whether the coil can generate that voltage or not is a function of its design. If you just want a hotter spark, change the coil, put in an electronic unit, and gap plugs to .045".
[P.S. If you install an HEI system and set the plug gaps at .035", there will be no increase in spark voltage.]
[P.S. If you install an HEI system and set the plug gaps at .035", there will be no increase in spark voltage.]
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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