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Hot Rods Compact HEI ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by AngleGrinder, May 16, 2021.

  1. AngleGrinder
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 30

    AngleGrinder
    Member

    Greeting all.

    Currently I have the MSD Distributor, ign box and coil. Hoping to replace all that with the HEI style distributor but it measures 6 inches across at widest point. Does not fit behind the 327/300hp motor..
    Rather not cut up the firewall, move my gas pedal, move under dash stuff etc.

    Do you have any suggestions ? Is there a compact HEI ? go with separate coil
    distributor ? Last resort is to cut. hey thank you.... Angle Grinder
     
  2. jaracer
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,419

    jaracer
    Member

    I think MSD makes one. I had one made for my Buick by Dave's Small Body HEI. However, if you need it in a timely fashion I don't recommend him. While his work is very good, I think he had my distributor for 10 months or more.
     
    AngleGrinder likes this.
  3. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,535

    badshifter
    Member

  4. rockable
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 4,430

    rockable
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Or use a Pertronix Ignitor II. That's what I did on my 57. Comes with all the springs and weights to customize your advance curve, too.
     

  5. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    Or leave the points in it, and have a nice reliable ignition system, that is HAMB friendly. The tough part is finding an original 1960s distributor, they're so much better than the modern replacements.

    but what do I know, the pic in my avatar shows me chasing an elusive ignition condenser issue....
     
  6. Dave G in Gansevoort
    Joined: Mar 28, 2019
    Posts: 2,598

    Dave G in Gansevoort
    Member
    from Upstate NY

    You need one of these. Not used much anymore but when needed... 20201002_145733.jpg
     
  7. bobkatrods
    Joined: Sep 22, 2008
    Posts: 756

    bobkatrods
    Member
    from aledo tx

    As suggested,use a point dizzy, add a MSD unit under dash.Get a nice spark and if MSD acts up on the road a simple jumper wire will by pass the unit,Easy enough to swap points on the road also,,I have the exact setup ..
     
    31hotrodguy likes this.
  8. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    How hot of a spark do you need? I've been in the nines with a stock coil....triggered by points...no electronics.
     
  9. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,778

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    Is there a compact HEI ? go with separate coil
    distributor ? Last resort is to cut. hey thank you.... Angle Grinder
    Yes there are. I dont recall the name of the guy but maybe Jasons small body HEI dist.
     
    AngleGrinder likes this.
  10. rockable
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 4,430

    rockable
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Unless you use an external coil, there will be no smaller option. The HEI coil is what makes the distributor so large.
     
    AngleGrinder likes this.
  11. fastcar1953
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 3,567

    fastcar1953
    Member

  12. justpassinthru
    Joined: Jul 23, 2010
    Posts: 524

    justpassinthru
    Member

    Allstar markets a ready to run dist that is just like the MSD ready to run unit. It is almost 1/2 the price of a MSD. It is a small cap and runs a separate coil and doesnt need the box. We have used them a number of times, without issues. Maybe its even made by MSD for Allstar?

    Bill
     
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  13. 1934coupe
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 5,051

    1934coupe
    Member

    What is wrong with the MSD that you want to change it.? I for one am not a fan of Petronix, I know as many people that have had problems with them and an equal amount that swear by them. Never been stranded with stock stuff or MSD.

    Pat
     
  14. 1990 Camaro Z28 used a small HEI distributor and a remotely mounted coil. You would need the connectors to plug into it.
     
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  15. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That one is computer controlled and defeats the purpose though. Same distributor was used up though the end of small blocks and big blocks with actual distributors.
     
    AngleGrinder likes this.
  16. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,407

    oldolds
    Member

    Use a stock points distributor with a Ford FAST system hooked up to it. I do not have info on how to do it. Computer crashed. It is pretty easy. look it up. Points are only a trigger for it
     
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  17. Ebbsspeed
    Joined: Nov 11, 2005
    Posts: 6,250

    Ebbsspeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Proven salvage yard solution at the link below. Use a "traditional" small diameter points distributor and coil, hide the Ford TFI module under the dash, drive it. This solution can also be "rewired on the road" and run as a normal points system if there is a TFI module failure.

    If you really want to go nuts, you can wire the points and coil through a DPDT relay powered via a toggle switch. If the Module fails flip the switch and keep driving.

    https://www.49ccscoot.com/manuals/FORD TFI electronic ignition.pdf
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2021
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  18. AngleGrinder
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 30

    AngleGrinder
    Member

    Thanx Jaracer, much appreciate your reply. Kinda need to be driving my coupe soon or go crazy. cheers
     
  19. AngleGrinder
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 30

    AngleGrinder
    Member

  20. AngleGrinder
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 30

    AngleGrinder
    Member

    Thanx Rockable !
     
  21. AngleGrinder
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 30

    AngleGrinder
    Member

    31hotrodguy likes this.
  22. AngleGrinder
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 30

    AngleGrinder
    Member

    Looked it up, looks good. thanx man.
     
  23. JWL115C
    Joined: Jan 28, 2010
    Posts: 286

    JWL115C
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Taylor Electronics makes a distributor that looks like a Vertex Magneto. I have one on my 55 Dodge 270 Hemi. No vacuum control, but no problem.
     
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  24. Truckedup
    Joined: Jul 25, 2006
    Posts: 4,661

    Truckedup
    Member

    You are looking at the front of the engine in the avatar..coil and or condenser mounted remotely or, god forbid, is that a Ford engine? :D
     
  25. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    I was playing with spark plugs, actually...I didn't figure out the condenser problem until several months later.
     
    31hotrodguy likes this.
  26. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    No advance in that.
     
  27. AngleGrinder
    Joined: May 4, 2008
    Posts: 30

    AngleGrinder
    Member

    I'm leaning towards an MSD 8360 "ready to run" distributor, external coil that will fit at 5 inches across. No ignition box required. Get a black cap and black wires. Any comments ?
     
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  28. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,594

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    Can't find a points distributor?
     
    AngleGrinder likes this.
  29. Blake 27
    Joined: Apr 10, 2016
    Posts: 1,504

    Blake 27

    One other option, it's got an internal coil. HPIM0204.JPG
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2021
    31hotrodguy likes this.
  30. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 3,519

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    I ran a mag on the street for a while . Not the best choice . I run the points and condenser without any issues . If you drive lots once a year swap to new guts and your good to go . I have owned 428 and 429 SCJs hard not one issue with stock coil and points . Thing about it , they worked on lots of HP stuff for years
     
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