HEI, "ready to run" or Points? What are the Pros and COns?

Im gonna run a 85' 302 in my 1959 F100... What are the pros and cons of using a standard points distributor versus an HEI or one of those "ready To run" magnetic ones? I want to stay old School But also want a smooth running truck.. Opinions??

 

The biggest pro of the system that uses points is that just about any backyard mechanic can diagnose it and get it working again. The cons are , having to change points, they may not have the best advance curve or hold dwell that well due to the design.

Hei, advantages are a hot spark, they stay in tune and they are somewhat easy to fix if they do need repair. You can test most pieces except the module with an ohm meter. Everything is in one unit. No big module hanging on the inner fender well.
The factory GM units often go 100 to 200k without anything more than a cap and rotor change if that.

The biggest con is that they are quite a bit bigger than a point type distributor and show it. And they aren't H.A.M.B.esque in the least because they didn't use them back when. And the the guys Who bleed Ford blue might have a bit of a fit.

 

Get one of those Petronix units.

 

It's 2008 .Points belong to the 20th Century along with ignition breakdowns.

 

I had posted that I'd go for the hei over the Petronix because I hand never heard of Petronix before going on one of the flathead forums, Which I hadn't but after checking the Petronix website I see that those pieces are available all over. The conversion may cost quite a bit more than the HEI that you are looking at though.

 

I bought a Pertronix unit for my '67 Bonneville. Works great. Just make SURE you run a dedicated, constant 12v lead to the unit.

51FourDoor

 

Pertronix is a good solution if there is no modern electronic ignition avaliable for your motor.

Thats not the case w/ the 302 - so run the factory-esqe electronic stuff.

If you want to have a "period" look, run a Duraspark 1. Looks just like points (minus the module, which you can hide), but without all the ****.

 

The Pertronix unit is a great way to keep the "old school" look with modern technology. I installed one and imediately noticed that the engine was running better than with the points setup. They aren't all that expensive either. Had it now for about 5 years and 30,000 miles without a problem. They make setups for just about any distributor.

 

The biggest problem that I have with modern electronic distributors is that they are ugly.

BTW to most people HEI means it is a GM electronic distributor (even uglier than the Ford) I think Fords were called duraspark or something close. It's sorta like calling your 55 Ford a Belair.

I love converting an old period hot rod distributor to electronic to get the look of a period hot rod piece with the modern electronics.

One drawback for a points car that sits most of the winter is that the points contacts like to corrode from lack of use. A quick swipe with a points file in the spring fixes that in a jiffy. You don't have that problem with an electronic dizzy.

If looks aren't a concern anything will do. To some people that big red MSD box is a badge of honor...to me it's an eye sore that should be hidden up under the dash.

 

I'm partial to MSD 6 triggered with points. The points only see millivolts and last forever that way and if the box goes south just unplug the box hook up the condenser and drive it home.
That way you get the trad look and have 2 ignition systems for the price of one. Yayyyyyyyy!

 

I agree with Tommy in that the MSD boxes are ugly and totally out of character with anything "traditional". Same with those huge GM HEI distibutors. The pertronix setups make for a clean look and better performance though some may even frown on them as not traditional enough. Crane also makes a similar unit to the pertronix. I put one in my '40 Ford w/ small block Chevy and really like it. Gives the look of a conventional points dizzy with much better performance. Bought mine from Summit a couple yrs. ago. It's actually a little less expensive than the Pertronix one. It's called FireBall XR-i points conversion ignition. Even has a rev-limiting feature.....Don.

 

Exactly as said above. The HEI is an ugly unit, especially on a Ford. I run points triggered MSD's on everything I own, including my dirt IMCA modified that sees 7,000 rpm's all the time without skipping a beat.

 

If you can't hide or disguise something as small as an MSD box you shouldn't be building anything anyway.Geezus get a grip.
Would you rather have a modern stereo or a tube radio?
The reliability is worth the little extra h***le.

 

If its a stocker I wouldn't worry about running a box, it'd be a waste. But I agree with about the points, ditch um. Stock or a ready to run distributor. What evers in the budjet. Ugly or not it'll work like clockwork. Set it and forget it!

 

I've run points in my Nomad for the 17 years I've owned it. 250,000 + miles, never left me on the side of the road. I have been left on the side of the road with HEI and other electronic ignitions.

I run points in my 46 Ford with its 8BA. It starts easily and run well.

I don't have a problem with those who want to convert to electronic ignition, but I've had no problems ever with old-fashioned points systems.

 

Oh, the Nomad also has factory power steering with a generator instead of an alternator. One time in 250,000 miles I've had to rebuilt the generator.

 

I was in the parts business when HEI stuff was coming out. Didn't trust it then, don't trust it now. Not that I have much choice on my daily driver. I bought one of the first MSD 5's in the area at the time. Installed it in my 72 C10 w/350, then in the 427 that followed. Still have the truck and MSD. Been about 25 years or so. Both work like new.


Good luck and good rodding!!!!!

 

I just bought a new Hei distributor for my daily driver 71 GMC.
I have to agree with Arkiehotrods that the points work fine but I'd like to get a bit more fuel milage out of the guzzler. In my case one or two miles to the gallon are a biggie.

I too have been left on the side of the road by an HEI but I can swap out a coil or module just about as fast as I can buff up a set of points with an emery board and be on my way.
I won't argue the ugly factor though.

 

the proform ones use gm hei on ford type dizzys, put the ugly on display!

 

It depends what's more important to you: "the look" or performance. Also reliability is a factor. On a daily, I'd run points with an extra set in the glovebox. If I was going for max performance/mileage, I'd run electronic with an extra module in the glovebox.

 

Been running Pertronix for 8 years now, hasn't failed me yet. Big improvement over points, speed and mileage and it just feels smoother. And you get to keep your stock distributor for the looks and the only clue its not stock is two little wires coming out the distributor. Its also easy to install 5 minutes and your done.

 

i cant stand points. they seem to drive me nuts in my es***. i have thought about trying to modify a mopar slant 6 distributor to fit and run the mopar ecu, but then id have to convert it to 12v.

 

There is always some guy who claims that his ancient technology is so much superior to all that new-fangled stuff.

But there is a reason that, in general, modern cars are a LOT more reliable than cars of the 60's and before. Electronic ignition is just one of them.

Sure, if you are super on top of **** and dont mind replacing your points every 5k and maintain your car like it's your job, then sure - they will probably work fine.

But for the rest of us who prefer a more "modern" maintenance schedule, replacing things like the points and generator on older cars can go a long way to getting there.

The truth is, we all think what we are comfortable with is best. I am comfortable with electronic ignition, and I am sure plenty of people on here are comfortable with points. But, in general - modern technology is better. There is a reason that the auto manufacturers spend millions to develop it. The companies don't make money by building ****tier cars.

 

I bought an HEI for my 351 W. Bought one of the Jap/Chinese units ,whatever they are (I know, I know I wouldn't do it again either). Burned up the module in no time. Replaced the module ,cap, ****on with MSD parts and alls well after about 5k mi. Main reason for the HEI was I didn't want the box on the firewall. The HEI just barely fits the Ford. Forget the cheap stuff, go for MSD.
Ron

 

put a pertronix in a66 tbird w 428 started right up and lost a miss the car always had at idle no question upgrade if it was any easier to put in it would come with amechanic

 

I put one of those Pro ****ics
In my Ford
Then took back where bought They said oh you need the Igniter
Piece of this
Went home install
Drive car
Runs about 20 miles dies sit no spark
About 10 minutes start run about 10 miles dies 4 th time I put Points back in
Drive car from AZ to Cal enjoy car show all week Drive home
While at Show Meet Protronics Piece **** Rep
He explain must be install
I explain could not find leroys barn for refrence
I end up putting Mallory Unilight Conversion from Summit in stock dist
set up with ballast resistor as simple instructions
7+ years about 5000 miles
Sold Protronics piece **** at last swap meet
$30 I even gave the guy the receipt
I was happy
I also see Accel is making a unilite version
Just my thoughts that is all
Thanks Ray

 

I think the G.M. HEI units are probably the way to go anymore, at least when compared to points. The problem is they're "BIG", and sometimes there's a firewall clearence issue. Also, when used on a SBC with say an old Edelbrock C3B or C4B, they won't clear one of the intake runners. Other than that, they are somewhat hidden behind the carburator/air cleaner. And, I too, have had one burn out on me far from home, and it ain't no ride down the slide.

 

I'm quite a ways from building the SBC I plan to use in my Brookville '31, as I don't like to let a fresh built engine sit for too long before firing it off, so I'm still in the planning stages on the engine.
I plan on a fairly hot engine tho, recently bought a set of Trick Flow alum. heads for example.
I've been away from the scene for quite a few years, but I still remember what a big improvement the MSD box made even with points on my 4X4 '73 GMC. So you can bet I'm going electronic of some sort.
The stock postion firewall in my "A" would really crowd an HEI unit, and it would be nice not to have to hide an MSD box inside under the dash.
Been looking in the catalog at the MSD "ready to run" unit. All the electronics are inside the dist. and the only external extra is the coil. It has vacuum advance and an adjustable curve on the mechanical advance. I'd like to run the new Taylor unit that looks like a Vertex magneto, but there's no vacuum advance, which in my past experience really hurts part throttle street driving fuel economy.
Sorta waiting and hoping Taylor can figure a way to incorporate vacuum advance by the time I am ready for a dist.
Dave

 

I have one of those "imported" HEI units on my HO302. I got it from a place that offers a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty, but I still can't help but think that's going to be my weak link. I have about 800 miles on it and haven't seen any major issues, but I have had to adjust my timing a few times...everything else timing related is brand new and installed right like the timing chain, etc..

I have now obsessed enough over it that I am probably going to pull it out first chance I get and probably just get a stock replacement dizzy, Pertronix, and a Duraspark box or some kind of aftermarket ready-to-run unit depending on the budget.

The HEI is pretty hideous on a SBF. At least it sits at the back on a SBC - the damn thing is right out front on the Ford!