HEI or Points with Electronic Conversion?

[MrSony]

Which is better? Anyone with more experience have any reasons as to use one over the other? The only thing I could think of is the points dizzy takes up less space, and externally mounts the coil.

 

[pontiacgp]

You don't need to go back to points to use a small distributor and a remote coil. If you ever had an ignition system with points you'd understand why they are not used any longer.

 

[Mike P]

Personally I prefer a stock GM HEI because they are reliable, cheap and you can pick up replacement parts if needed at any parts store (A big plus if you happen to say need a module on a Sunday afternoon).


I've also had good luck with the Pertronix, I have one in my current DD and it has been extremely reliable. While the Pertronix work well they will not make up for any problems you might be experiencing with a worn out distributor (worn shaft bushings, advance weights or breaker plate). They are good in instances where clearance is tight (engines with Tri-Powers or tight firewall clearance).

 

[Oxide80de80]

I've always preferred HEI, if it's already HEI leave it alone... if it's points just upgrade to a Petronix and leave the rest of the dizzy alone... every 2 years my 6 cylinder AMC Rebel needed points and condenser. Petronix eliminates those....

 

[fastSS]

I like the HEI system, like mentioned parts are readily available in a bind.

 

[Bonnewagon]

HEI is the best system. Period. Early models suffered from modules failing. GM figured out that the module was overheating so they added a schmear of dialectric grease under the module as bedding/heat sink. Since then- bulletproof.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

HEI is the best system. Period. Early models suffered from modules failing. GM figured out that the module was overheating so they added a schmear of dialectric grease under the module as bedding/heat sink. Since then- bulletproof.

It is not dialectric grease, its special electronic heat paste which is supposed to be reapplied every year as it dries out. The coil in cap hei distributors do have some short comings, mainly the size restriction for coils which limits their construction compared to external coils which have room to use thicker windings. The center spring loaded button is also a weak point.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Thanks TIE for clarifying. I remember GM issuing a bulletin to change the module once a year to avoid failure. That was before they figured out the heat sink fix. I think the biggest problem with HEI is that they are so darn reliable that they get forgotten. Thus, basic maintenance is overlooked and parts die of old age. I know of a '78 Camaro motor that grenaded on the Jersey Turnpike because the HEI had not been serviced in decades.

 

[airboatgreg]

HEI is the only way to go. Back in the day I had a guy working for me who had a Dodge Charger and he got an electronic ignition distributor but did not have the money to buy the Dodge module, coil and wiring harness. We brought it in the shop and hooked it up to the oscilloscope and we had 22k volts on the secondary ignition with the points. We installed the distributor, a 4 pin GM ignition module and a Toyota Supra coil that I had laying around and we had over 50k volts. We opened the gap on the plugs to .045 and the car ran unbelievably better especially during cold drivability, had increased mileage and performance..