hei help wanted
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 126
From: Mequon WI
hei help wanted
1978 L82 with 84K miles. Not sure if ignition has ever been touched before or not. Over the winter I am attempting to tune it and set the timing. After that maybe work on the carb.
For now I just pulled the cap off and here are pictures of the points and the rotor. I am probably going to replace these parts but my question is: Does the condition of these points indicate any other problem I need to be addressing?
Plugs are gapped at .44 and have only about 1,000 miles on them. The coil tests out at 12,500 ohms between the battery terminal and the carbon pickup.
For now I just pulled the cap off and here are pictures of the points and the rotor. I am probably going to replace these parts but my question is: Does the condition of these points indicate any other problem I need to be addressing?
Plugs are gapped at .44 and have only about 1,000 miles on them. The coil tests out at 12,500 ohms between the battery terminal and the carbon pickup.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
They look normal, and I would replace them. I always replace with quality parts that have brass contacts. If you buy the really low cost parts, many times the contacts will be aluminium - not nearly as good.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 126
From: Mequon WI
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
I like to use Delco, but most of the vendors have higher quality versions. For regular use, you can just go to the local chain, and check out the higher priced units. The aluminum (silver colored) contacts are easy to spot. I also like Rockauto.com as they usually have a selection.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
If it is a street car with no major modification to the engine...and going to be street driven and you are not worried about making it a rocket ship. I also use Delco parts. Getting the 'upgrade' distributor car and rotor does not hurt. But honestly...I would have to have your car on a dyno and see if there is actually an improvement before I would stick my neck out and 'say' that you actually get a gain by changing these parts. Possibly someone has and can reply on that.
I am also worried about the spark plug wires and there correctly routed. And I check the Kv (Kilovolt) readings of the plug wires to see how they are. IF I am getting a rough idle or something does not seem right.
ALSO...back when I had a functional gas analyzer...I would check the exhaust and see right away if the car needed a tune up due to very high emission readings. In many cases....all I needed to do was to take eh car out on a 'spirited' drive and come back and the emission where much better due to the owner was not driving it with 'spirit' on occasion...and basically 'parading' it around all the time.
DUB
I am also worried about the spark plug wires and there correctly routed. And I check the Kv (Kilovolt) readings of the plug wires to see how they are. IF I am getting a rough idle or something does not seem right.
ALSO...back when I had a functional gas analyzer...I would check the exhaust and see right away if the car needed a tune up due to very high emission readings. In many cases....all I needed to do was to take eh car out on a 'spirited' drive and come back and the emission where much better due to the owner was not driving it with 'spirit' on occasion...and basically 'parading' it around all the time.
DUB
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
If it is a street car with no major modification to the engine...and going to be street driven and you are not worried about making it a rocket ship. I also use Delco parts. Getting the 'upgrade' distributor car and rotor does not hurt. But honestly...I would have to have your car on a dyno and see if there is actually an improvement before I would stick my neck out and 'say' that you actually get a gain by changing these parts. Possibly someone has and can reply on that.
I am also worried about the spark plug wires and there correctly routed. And I check the Kv (Kilovolt) readings of the plug wires to see how they are. IF I am getting a rough idle or something does not seem right.
ALSO...back when I had a functional gas analyzer...I would check the exhaust and see right away if the car needed a tune up due to very high emission readings. In many cases....all I needed to do was to take eh car out on a 'spirited' drive and come back and the emission where much better due to the owner was not driving it with 'spirit' on occasion...and basically 'parading' it around all the tie.
DUB
I am also worried about the spark plug wires and there correctly routed. And I check the Kv (Kilovolt) readings of the plug wires to see how they are. IF I am getting a rough idle or something does not seem right.
ALSO...back when I had a functional gas analyzer...I would check the exhaust and see right away if the car needed a tune up due to very high emission readings. In many cases....all I needed to do was to take eh car out on a 'spirited' drive and come back and the emission where much better due to the owner was not driving it with 'spirit' on occasion...and basically 'parading' it around all the tie.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
12,500 ohms between the batt and carbon pickup makes no sense. I suggest u only take measurements where u have an expectation of the results. An ign coil has only a few ohms of resistance.
So what im saying is if u dont already have a factory service manual then purchase something like a Chiltons for less than $20 and read what it says for tune ups and use the diagnostics for any problems. This will avoid using your imagination and any superstitions created.
So what im saying is if u dont already have a factory service manual then purchase something like a Chiltons for less than $20 and read what it says for tune ups and use the diagnostics for any problems. This will avoid using your imagination and any superstitions created.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 126
From: Mequon WI
12,500 ohms between the batt and carbon pickup makes no sense. I suggest u only take measurements where u have an expectation of the results. An ign coil has only a few ohms of resistance.
So what im saying is if u dont already have a factory service manual then purchase something like a Chiltons for less than $20 and read what it says for tune ups and use the diagnostics for any problems. This will avoid using your imagination and any superstitions created.
So what im saying is if u dont already have a factory service manual then purchase something like a Chiltons for less than $20 and read what it says for tune ups and use the diagnostics for any problems. This will avoid using your imagination and any superstitions created.
Im going to replace everything with a kit for street use. I have the manual as well as several papers. My real question regards whether or not the condition of the points and rotor are normal. Appears they are.
I appreciate your comments.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
Ohm's law = the Eagle flies over the Indian and the Rock.
E = I*R
Resistance (Ohms) = Voltage / Current
Everyone in Silicon Valley knows this.
Just sayin...
E = I*R
Resistance (Ohms) = Voltage / Current
Everyone in Silicon Valley knows this.
Just sayin...
Last edited by Jeff_Keryk; Nov 22, 2015 at 11:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
B Benz, the HEI has been one of the best and most reliable products ever designed by GM. Don't overthink this, if the car runs OK, just put a new quality cap and rotor, maybe wires and move on.
Check to vacuum advance, the rubber diaphragm can dry out and leak
Check to vacuum advance, the rubber diaphragm can dry out and leak
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I found when HEI plugs are gapped to .045" they'll quit firing at about .053" to.055". The Standard Ignition Parts catalog recommends gapping HEI plugs to the old .035" because the average HEI isn't a killer ignition system as many believe it is.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
DUB