Just for the record , my fuel injected 322 GMC in my model A hot rod runs a "Tom Langdon" HEI .... Easier to buy his as make my own ...
AND some other verbage on my computer from a cl*** i wrote on this subject .... The Hall... Hall Effect Switch The Hall Effect Switch is an electronic device that produces a voltage signal controlled by the presence or absence of a magnetic field in an electronic circuit. The Hall Effect Switch is used on several EI applications. A regulated signal voltage from the ignition module is p***ed through a semiconductor wafer in the Hall switch. A permanent magnet mounted beside the semiconductor induces Hall voltage across the semiconductor (Figure 8-27). The crank sensor is positioned so that metal blades or "vanes" of an interrupter ring, mounted on the crankshaft harmonic balancer/damper p*** between the semiconductor and the permanent magnet. When a metal vane comes between the magnet and the semiconductor, the magnetic field is interrupted and Hall voltage drops off (Figure 8-28). Hall voltage is amplified and routed to the base of a transistor which controls the ground on the signal voltage from the ignition module. When full Hall voltage is present (no vane inside sensor), the transistor is ON and the signal from the module is grounded (pulled low to 0-0.5 volts). When Hall voltage drops (vane inside sensor), the transistor turns OFF and the signal returns to the high state. As the interrupter rotates, signal voltage alternates between high and low states, generating a square-wave with the same "pattern" as on the interrupter vanes. Note that it is the module supply voltage that is pulled low by the sensor.
I think there is a GM HEI that uses a conventional looking separate coil and small cap. I believe it was on a truck. Concerning the HEI advance curve, get it re-curved. I found out if you purchase an aftermarket advance kit and install it to the instructions, it doesn't always work right. You need to check it out on a distributor machine. Ago
The General Motors HEI Distributor is one of mankind's greatest mechanical achievments. It's right up there with the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing. A complete ignition system . . . . signal mechanism, integral coil, module, tach hook-up, etc. Everything in one convenient package powered up by a single 12-Volt hot wire. Re-work the curve and you can run 11's all day with spare ignition parts available at absolutely every Auto Parts Store in the country, IF you would ever even need anything.
Very good - All of us certainly do appreciate genuine teachers, who are able to explain how it works and don't just let us rely on the internet for erroneous explanations parroted by someone like me. It appears the Pertronix Ignitor I is actually more similar to the Ford hall effect ignition than the HEI. > Questions ??? Just the easy ones.... So GMC Bubba, we are still awaiting your advice what the OP should prefer for reliability - HEI or Pertronix ? And why? Or is there another dark horse, we haven't even mentioned yet? Seems to me, you could make all this so much easier....
Havn't been messing with ignitions very long but at 70 years young I can tell you I have built my own in several 216s, 261s, 235s etc over the years. I love it when some naysayer is finally shut up about the HEI! It is as Bubba says not Hall effect Switched. We used Hall effect switchs in a lot of IBM computor equiptment back in the 80s and I built my own Hall effect Distributor for a little 265 in a 48 Chevy Coupe that I still drive. That being said Tom Langdons little mini HEI is the ticket if you want that stock look, and I have built many myself but have also used quite a few of Toms as They are resonable and easier than building my own. And every parts store left that is worth a Tinkers D***n should have any part you will need to fix it beside the road. HEIs are pretty BulletProof.
The Pertronix, at least the several older ones that I have installed, used a flying magnet. The rotor has a magnet that p***es by the pick-up coil. Per my previous post, although they may be configured differently, all these magnetic/inductive pick-up coils work on the same principal.
It is all very similar, isn't it? Primitive electronics go a long way under the hood and it's environment. An old friend gave me some obscure old instruction sheets how to make your own ignition many years ago, because he knew I like to make my own original electronics outside of my car related stuff, but I told him there is so much out there already and its so simple, why bother ? I still don't understand why an HEI is supposed to be better and more reliable and easier to install for a stock or warmed up 235 or 261, then the simple Pertronix units I have used for so many years on my daily drivers without problems ? A clear answer would enlighten the original post and 235 owner as well, I imagine.
So GMC Bubba, we are still awaiting your advice what the OP should prefer for reliability - HEI or Pertronix ? And why? Or is there another dark horse, we haven't even mentioned yet? Seems to me, you could make all this so much easier.... I thought i handled that one with the discussion on "needs". The ignition you choose should be based on actual needs. Ex: I choose the Tom Langdon HEI based on my needs for the fuel injection system. To utilize a GM computer on my hot rod injection system i "needed" a magnetic triggered system so the ecm could read the signal and provide electronic spark advance as well as retard. Plus the signal ( again magnetic pulse) had to trigger the ecm to fire the fuel injectors as well. I knew what signals i had to have and used the HEI. Today i installed a pertronixs ignitor in a customers Ford small block distributor. He is rebuilding the engine with a four barrel carb and a better performing camshaft . Based on his needs we are using the pertronixs to make the entire event be a little simpler. He also needed a ignition coil and the engine is going in a hot rod he is building. His gain is two fold , one the distributor was rebuilt and the advance was reworked with a proper advance curve , while its there the Ignitor fits the bill. Every vehicle has a different requirement......no one said it would be easy. I am really glad this isnt a camshaft discussion or heaven forbid motor oil...
Just a shot of the mini HEI in my car. As some have already mentioned. It does have an original look. Hey Bubba, love to see that injected Jimmy! Dom
There we go - in case of doubt, keep it simple and don't make things complicated just because you can or somebody else does.
Chrysler used to hold the rights to hall effect GM had to pay a royalty on Buick V6 hall effect crank sensors
Pertronix is pretty bulletproof & looks OEM... Large cap HEI may cause clearnce issues w/firewall anyway...
I little more discussion regarding "actual needs" . I got the factory Delco in today and got er done. It was a greasy mess for sure. A quick trip to the cleaning tanks and "slick steve" took er all apart. It needed some serious service cleaning and polishing etc. This distributor is one of the better distributors every made by Delco Remy and anything you could have ever bought would have been inferior in one way or the other. Customer already had installed a pertronixs kit and other that some degreasing it tested just fine. This distributor advance units are made of some super steel and cleaned up to look brand new. The advance rate was right on the factory chart as well !!! (aftermarket stuff is usually all over the place!!) . The vacuum unit was also in great shpe ( not pictured) and fell into factory specs . I think greaser will love the performance of his "now new" cast iron factory distributor. Our $48 buck rebuild plus shipping!!!!!! Nice ending for a good post ......
I just settled up with Jim. Very nice people to deal with. Happy I want this route, I actually saved myself money and have a better ignition than an aftermarket setup.
In humble opinion HEI 's are the ugliest thing on any car. I've had petronics in my 70 Torino convert for 12 years. Never a problem. Got it in my 29 rpu as well. I like em.
Your gonna hear good and bad about everything,,I heard Bubba's is junk and so is Pertronix,,truth of the matter,,I have had great success with both. HRP
I use pertronix in my 235 & 350. Keep the points in the glove box and you probably never need them. I pulled the distribution on the 235 painted it installed the unit and timed it with a vacuum gauge. Used a new coil at the same time.
i have pertronix in my 58 ford y-block and my 65 caddy had to replace the one in the caddy after 5 yrs. the ford still has the frist one in it over 10 yrs but i keep a spare in both cars
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