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Convince me to use an HEI...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by termin8ed, Feb 23, 2006.

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  1. Feb 23, 2006
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
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    ...Or not to use it if your interested in oneR)

    I've got an HEI that should be in good working order. I "think" the vaccum advance on my regular points distributor is stuck. Have to play with it a little first though. I've allready got the MSD ignition installed on my jeep also.
    What I want to know is...

    ...Is it really worth the aggrivation some of you seem to have?
    ...Will it work with my MSD ignition also?
    and
    ...Using the MSD allready, Is it going to make any more difference to the jeep?


    Just an fyi in case someone doesn't know, with the msd, the points aren't subjected to the high current that degrades them. They pretty much act like a switch using low current.
    So going thru points isn't an issue for me right now;)
     
    termin8ed, Feb 23, 2006
    #1
  2. Feb 23, 2006
    mruta

    mruta I drank with Billy!

    Downers Grove, IL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    422
    Use it!

    Hotter spark
    No adjustment of point gap/dwell
    Probably better fuel economy and smoother idle


    If you're scared of electronics, carry an extra ignition module with you.
     
    mruta, Feb 23, 2006
    #2
  3. Feb 23, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    6,197
    I was really happy with the difference it made on Dutch...seat of the pants feel was much snappier.
     
    Boyink, Feb 23, 2006
    #3
  4. Feb 23, 2006
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
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    Aug 7, 2003
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    4,538
    Don't have personal experience with them, but considering how many people post problems with them on this forum, I wouldn't touch one. Especially for trail use.
     
    Posimoto, Feb 23, 2006
    #4
  5. Feb 23, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    FWIW - my comments were about HEI, no experience with the MSD.

    HEI was plug and play as far as I was concerned. Didn't miss setting points.
     
    Boyink, Feb 23, 2006
    #5
  6. Feb 23, 2006
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,471
    Once you understand HEI - it's a piece of cake. Install is the same for any of the Distros except the clearance needed for the HEI, so if you understand TDC, Clocking a Distro, and/or moving the pluggs 2 posts instead of 1 if needed (never had to do that my self) do it.

    I have built 4 for other folks - 2 EF conversions, and 2 OF rebuilds. Installed them on 3 other 225's. It's real easy - at least for me :)
     
    Warloch, Feb 23, 2006
    #6
  7. Feb 23, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    As for it working with MSD, check the mods under my Jeep. ;)
     
    sparky, Feb 23, 2006
    #7
  8. Feb 23, 2006
    MOP

    MOP Active Member

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2003
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    1,131
    Use it...... I am a monkey (and Sparky might be half-monkey), but between the 2 of us it was no problem. It took us a few hours because I was being conservative with the grinding wheel when taking a little bit off the intake. I wouldn't go back to my Delco no matter what.
     
    MOP, Feb 23, 2006
    #8
  9. Feb 23, 2006
    springerfever

    springerfever Member

    suwanee, ga
    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2005
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    273
    HEI is light years better than the Prestolite ignition that my 75 came with. Easy install and huge difference in startup/performance.
     
    springerfever, Feb 23, 2006
    #9
  10. Feb 23, 2006
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2003
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    3,327
    One of the best mods I have ever done was the HEI for my 71'. I have an 87 v-6 and didn't even have to grind the intake or bolt. Started right up first time and runs great after adjusting the timing.

    I echo what others have said, runs better, idles smoother, more consistent power band and seems a bit quicker.

    Just my opinion.
     
    jzeber, Feb 23, 2006
    #10
  11. Feb 23, 2006
    $ sink

    $ sink Gazillians of posts

    Virginia Bch
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    Nov 25, 2004
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    never had much problem with my old points distributor, but installed the HEI anyhow (got it sheep). fires right up and doesn't miss a beat. grinding the intake was a little at a time operation, but I am pleased with the final product. $0.02
     
    $ sink, Feb 23, 2006
    #11
  12. Feb 23, 2006
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    Use it!!! Especially if you already have it... I think the HEI or Pertronix with a performance coil are probably about the same....
     
    Patrick, Feb 23, 2006
    #12
  13. Feb 23, 2006
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
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    Allright. I think you all have convinced me;) Guess I'll just get an extra ignition module for it. Seems like for me if I don't have something like that it'll go bad.
    Sparky,
    Do you know how the msd is wired up? Any extra wires from the hei? guessing the only difference is the hei. Should probably go out and see if I can find the instructions that came with mine. Guess I should start searching to see how its wired up...
     
    termin8ed, Feb 23, 2006
    #13
  14. Feb 23, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Brian,
    MSD has instruction sheets in PDF format: http://www.msdignition.com/1ignitions.htm
     
    sparky, Feb 23, 2006
    #14
  15. Feb 23, 2006
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
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    Sweet8)
    Just what I was looking for. Thanks
     
    termin8ed, Feb 23, 2006
    #15
  16. Feb 23, 2006
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
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    4,422
    Ok, looks like I wouldn't have to worry about the ignition module. It comes out and a replacement harness connects to the magnetic pickups and feeds the msd directly.
    Assuming this is a much better method of triggering the ignition than a points system? About the only benifit of installing it from what I see.

    Basicly the MSD takes the place of the HEI module.
     
    termin8ed, Feb 23, 2006
    #16
  17. Feb 23, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    My MSD doesn't, which MSD do you have?

    I think MOP's functions as you stated.
     
    sparky, Feb 23, 2006
    #17
  18. Feb 23, 2006
    Phalanxx

    Phalanxx Jeep Newbie

    iraq, texas,...
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2004
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    363
    i wouldnt go back to my points for the world. i love my hei. make SURE you run atleast a 12 gauge wire though to feed it current. it loves power. i played with mine for several hours before i remembered and checked. ran a #12 wire to it and she fired right up. i had to rotate some wires to fit it in, and rotate the dist to get it in without grinding or hitting fan blade (231 from '75 regal), but once i wedged it in and fed that puppy, she ran beautifully. my old points dist was worn out and rounded, so the points werent opening all the way. hei ended that and the backfiring above 3000 rpm.
    you can order one from AZ for about $130 from a 75 regal oddfire and itll slide right in. the original dis came with 2 locking bolts IIRC, hei has 4...just grind one off of the dist and you are still 50% stronger than stock. or grind the manifold and wedge it in if there is a prob with the 225 fitting. other than that, i think you will be thoroughly impressed when you hear/feel it.
     
    Phalanxx, Feb 23, 2006
    #18
  19. Feb 23, 2006
    Toolmaker

    Toolmaker Member

    Westminster, SC
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
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    132
    I'm not sure you'd notice a big difference between the points distributor and HEI since you already have a MSD. I ran a MSD 5 series with points in my Ford truck then switched to factory duraspark electronic ignition. I could not tell any difference in start up or seat of the pants performance. My mileage did increase slightly but the vacuum advance was not working on the points distributor which would account for that.

    Also, while using the MSD with points, I checked the dwell with my dwell meter. I changed the point gap over a range of settings and rechecked the dwell. The dwell didn't change. The MSD keeps the dwell the same no matter how the point gap is set.
     
    Toolmaker, Feb 23, 2006
    #19
  20. Feb 23, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Huh, I did notice a difference with the MSD on my already HEI equipped Jeep that was about the same feel/effect as going from points to HEI...
     
    sparky, Feb 23, 2006
    #20
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