Chinese HEI's YUK what should i run???

Hey guys i will keep it short. I am tired of messing with cheap chinese HEI dizzys for my 289 SBF. I am looking to buy something that wont break down every month or so.

Don't need top of the line (expensive) but don't want any more chinese. What should i buy??? Any recommondations?

Thanks
matt

 

stock points style dizzy, msd 6 box, call it done forever.

 

What's wrong with a Ford distributor? Or a modified Ford distributor?

 

Had a stock points setup which was fine but really like the power and ease of an electronic or HEI

 

What kind of problems are you having with the cheapo HEI's?

 

Pickup coil went bad, replaced it. Ignition module when bad, replaced it. Pickup coil went bad again.

 

I'm guessing module failures, possibly pickup coils too.

change both of those and put a good coil in em, oh and change out the sloppy bushing and shitty advance mechanism they work fine, but by the time you do that you could have a used msd box and never have another failure.

 

Use a duraspark 2 with a points style cap and rotor ( I think the big caps are ugly )

 

Yea i would agree on the "looks" but this is going in my econoline van and will rarely be seen so looks don't really matter just looking for something that will run with out any issues.

Thanks

 

Points do still work. Yeah, if you put a lot of miles on it you might have to mess with them every now and then. Adding an electronics box between the points and the coil really cuts down on maintenance though

 

What he said....

Rat

 

The parts in those HEI's are the same as a Chevrolet HEI, You might stop at your local Pic & Pull and get a Chevy HEI and swap in the Delco parts from it,if you have had two pickup coils and a module go bad something may be causing it.The reason I tell you to get the older Delco is because so much of the new is outsourced even MSD is getting China parts.Click on this http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=6502-R notice the warranty? mine is 4 years old,read the install instructions that is in this reference are you running 10 gauge to the HEI ? where are you getting your 12 volt source from? Mine is powered off the "I" terminal on the solenoid,the solenoid is a relay and takes the load off the circuit if your are getting power off the key switch move it.OK,more reading for you (all of it !)http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/current_topic.html You will notice the heavy duty relay in the text I added that because like it explains the stock key switches are not made to handle extra loads,prior to adding that relay I had several switches overload and burn out, problem solved.

 

a dura spark dist with a msd box had this set up running for 15 years no problems

 

That sounds like the same problems I had with the $220 HEI I bought from the local GM dealer. It lasted about 1000 miles. I pulled it and replaced it with a $99 made-in-China HEI from JEGS ( or Summit ?) and have had no issues since.

 

I ran stock distributor and Pertronix ignitor for 10 years with no issues. HEI's in Chevys are ugly. In Fords they make me suicidal.

 

Mallory Unilite.Put an ad in wanted section.Nothing wrong with good used ones.Even found one on EPAY and less than $100.Small and all self contained.

 

Durasparks. Honestly one of the best electronic ignitions. And not hard to wire as a it may appear. Plus they are $50 at autozone

 

Module failures with GM HEI's are mostly due to the coil shorting out internally,cheap coils.Replace the module and it fails again.Buy a better in cap coil or a kit to use an external coil.

 

Go MSD or stay on the porch! "literally"

 

Go MSD or stay on the porch! "literally"



good answer ...............

 

I've been running a pertronix HEI on my SBF for about 4 years without a problem. I had an MSD box go bad and it took me a while to figure it out. The truck would run fine unless I let off the pedal quickly from fairly high rpms, then it would die completly.

 

I agree with this guy.

 

Ask this guy>>>>Bubba's Hot Rod Shop

 

Ok,just for you HEI haters,this kind of pretty: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Pertronix-Flame-Thrower-S-B-Ford-289-302-Billet-Distributor,8776.html

 

But the wrong answer! Over the last two years MSD is outsourcing and many of the coils are Chinese imports and are stamped in the product and pictures have been posted on several websites verifying that fact.Many of the companies have resorted to printing on the packaging the country of origin and "packaged in the USA" Companies are outsourcing on a daily basis,best advice: Read the package and the product! More on the subject here:https://www.google.com/#hl=en&outpu....,cf.osb&fp=6ca356a6bb614143&biw=1280&bih=963

 

all oil filled coils are made overseas.....( because of goverment restrictions)
even your favorite companies ( accell- mallaory -edelbrock)

brings those coils in .

but , feel free to purchase any of the HVC series that is hand made here
in the usa.... they cost a little more than 40 bucks ...

 

ALL STAR AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS INC

4150 PUENTE AVE
BALDWIN PARK, CA 91706-3432
(626) 960-5164

Robert or his son Robbie are very helpful & hands on.

 

plus, the street fire line is made in china..( FOR AN ENTRY LEVEL CUSTOMERS) .IT IS POSTED on the home page of that site...everything else is made here ....



http://www.msdvideos.com/featured_landing.php?reset=true
look at the shop tour video....( all made here in el paso ,texas)
if your still not sure....drive down the 6 hours ( less then 400 miles) from phnx MR. JEFFB2
AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A TOUR.

 

I had a Duraspark for my 289 and put the rubber dizzy cover from a 5.0 on it, looked good IMHO. Never gave me any trouble.

 

PerTronix in a stock distributor. If you don't have a stock distributor, then try this if you want something that looks stock with no external boxes or junk to wire up.


It's the new Pertronix Cast stock look distributor. Looks like a stocker but with a performance curve and Ignitor already installed, plus an adjustable vacuum canister. part #D134600