304 Hei

my heep needs some help. When it is very humid and/or rainy, and cool out, the thing runs like crap until I shut if off after it has warmed up a bit, then restart it after it sits a spell. I always figure it was something like moisture getting in the distr. cap, but it always looked dry when I checked it and I have also tried replacing it a few times.

Anyway, looking through this forum has me interested in electronic ignition, and other ways to improve my ride. I have a lot to do, and better adddress them in seperate threads. So right now I'm wondering about purchasing and installing what I think is called HEI. An old link I was reading, one guy sort of ragged on zmjeeps.com product and recommended this:
Proform from Summit

Wondering if there would be anyone on this forum with an opinion on doing what I'm thinking of doing?

cheers, Jim

 

My 75 has the 258/6 but I recently installed an HEI. I bought it off of E-bay for approx $165.00 and it was the best money yet spent on my jeep.
Before, the Prestolite Electronic was always cutting out and then, ok for restart after a few minutes. This was a common problem with this ignition, much of it due to poor connections between components.

With the HEI you remove the original distributor/coil and electronic module and replace it with just a larger cap distributor with ONE wire..; two if you need a tach hook-up. MUCH better performance on all counts and the best part .....DEPENDABLE!!

Replacement parts are inexpensive and available anywhere, if needed.

 

you know..........my amc v8 does the EXACT same thing. that is wierd

 

There's at least one supplier of bolt-in HEI (the GM system) for the AMC V8s. http://www.zmjeeps.com/hei_primer.php <edit> BTW, what's the beef re Z&M?

If you want to use junkyard parts, the later (post 1977 or 78) engines used the Ford/Motorcraft Duraspark system. You can take the whole system from a junkyard car and have electronic ignition. This system uses a fenderwell mounted electronic module, like the earlier Prostolite system.

The Duraspark, as supplied with the AMC engines, uses a conventional distributor cap , rotor, wires, and coil. There's an upgrade for Duraspark called TFI (thick film integration) which uses a hotter coil, larger diameter distributor cap and rotor, and high-voltage wires. These parts can be scrounged from a Ford V8, or purchased new at the parts store. http://www.ifsja.org/tech/electrical/ignitionupgrade.shtml - lots of other info on the net too.

Other combinations are possible, like using the GM HEI module with a Duraspark or Prestolite distributor. I don't have links for this, but you should be able to find some easily.

 

guys have you tried spraying the plug wires with fine water mist from a spray bottle ?
might be the coil wire and/or plug wires

 

If you can't find what you want in a junk yard, check these guys out.

http://www.performancedistributors.com/

 

Thanks all for the responses.

Timgr: re -the beef with zmjeeps was off a link I followed as I was researching this.
The thread is here:
The Ultimate AMC V8 HEI Thread
It was the last one in the thread so I didn't get to read anybody refuting it.. though previously in that thread many did recommend zmjeeps.
That is why I asked about Proforms in my original post since this guy recommended them.

As for junkyard stuff... where I live you have to take a jet to get anywhere.. can't drive. So no junkyards. And the time it takes to try and find stuff over the phone.. sometimes just easier to pay a bit more and be done with it. (Now that I'm getting older, I value my time a bit more than what's in the wallet- generally.) Although there are enough junked cars/pickups around here if I knew what to look for, it may be something I could do. So I always appreciate the advice.

jpflat2a, I haven't sprayed it with water. I did put some newfangled plug wires on it several years ago and it made no difference. Guess it could be the stock coil wire.. not the one to the cap as that got replaced but the little wire out of the harness?

Hudsonhawk, that link you gave.. quick look prices seem to be around $350. The Proform is $210. Worth it?

 

to tell you the truth jpflat2a, i think it might be carb related, or maby the module on the fender, or..................... well you get the idea

 

I am running one on my 258. It really does work well. Simple hook up and you get get rid of about half the wiring in the engine compartment.

 

do you need to order/buy new spark plug wires for it as well? If so, what did you go for? I had installed Jacob wiring awhile back. I need to rewire the jeep too - I've seen Painless sets but also heard on this forum something about EZwire harnesses (or something like that).

thx, jim

 

I ordered the live wire set along with it. But you can use the stock plug wires. As for re-wiring. I ripped it all out and built mine from scratch. Its not that hard to do just concentrate on one circuit at a time

I also replaced my stock alternator with a Delco 3-wire. For details go to: http://www.hudsonhawk.net and click on the picture of the jeep.