Benifits or disadvantages to a HEI

[VanceH]

The 350 i picked up has a HEI, the 283 i replaced has an old school points set up. I am not liking the Look of the HEI and was thinking about going back to old school. Any thoughts??
thanks
Vance

[Tx Firefighter]

I think HEI looks as ugly as the next guy, but I hate fooling with points. HEI also offers longer plug life, and in my opinion, better mileage and drivability.

[68gmsee]

Supposedly you get better gas mileage but it depends on a lot of other factors including the condition of the engine, carb, exhaust type etc.

It will give you hotter spark and slightly better response. Best part is that you don't have to worry about messing with the points.

I've got one on my 68 but left the resistive wire in in case I want to go back to points.

[VanceH]

If thats all there is i am going to go back to old school, points seem easier than the inside of the HEI. I remember growing up the old man always had a spare set of points in the glove box!!!

[Irishpilot]

I agree with all the previous posts. It is all-around better ignition, in my opinion.

[nds1968]

You can replace the points with Petronix for around a $100 give or take depending on the application. That's what I did to keep it looking original.

[nbrfd007]

HEI is the first thing that goes in on my rigs when I get It. Is hard to beat and cheap.

[VanceH]

cheaper to maintain then old school set up???

[Arad68]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I think HEI looks as ugly as the next guy, but I hate fooling with points. HEI also offers longer plug life, and in my opinion, better mileage and drivability.

Like TX says, it is hands down the best. Points are a pain.

[vectorit]

HEI is better than the point set up, but...

I have been left stranded in the worst place one could be stranded due to the stupid module inside the HEI, at least when the points start to go bad you can tell. The HEI module doesn't give you any warning, so it just stops working and shuts you down where you are. (At least in my experience).

If I were to go with HEI again, I'd carry that module in the glove box. Just like all us point guys, that carry an extra set of points...

Really, the electronic set up is the way to go. I just run points for the fun of it, and just to keep it orignal looking. But, I do think the Pertronix set up is in my future.

[bbadfred]

Yes longer sparkplug, cap and rotor life, easier starting ( save on batterys and starters) As others said better response,more horsepower. Don't you think there was a reason dad had spares in the glove box? If points were so good why have they gone the way of bias ply tires, drum brakes, 20k mile tune ups ect?

[69GMCLonghorn]

As someone told me once, the engine only needs so much spark to run. You can feed it a million volts, but if it doesn't need it, it's pointless (no pun intended). yes, HEI is nice, but let me tell you, I have the Pertronix in my truck. On the rare winter morning in LA where it's down around freezing, i can jump in it and fire it up on the first try... and I have NO CHOKE on the carb! This is all thanks to the Pertronix... Just make sure your coil is in good shape. If not, get the matching Pertronix coil and be done with it. No brain tumor of a distributor needed.

Again, to the HEI fans, I apologize and I can't knock it. If it wasn't any good, nobody would use them. It's just not entirely necessary.

[Pont406]

I run HEI. I remember blowing up mufflers because of bad points.
Couple things to consider with HEI is that it was set up for smog motors. Way too much vacuum advance and lazy mechanical advance. I changed center plate and weights before use.

[hilandr452]

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[Ackattack]

can't you get a small cap HEI distributor with an external coil?

To be honest, I don't like distributors......just get rid of them and run a gen III engine

[mikajo39]

Originally Posted by Pont406

I run HEI. I remember blowing up mufflers because of bad points.
Couple things to consider with HEI is that it was set up for smog motors. Way too much vacuum advance and lazy mechanical advance. I changed center plate and weights before use.

That's how my last muffler left this world, and the reason I couldn't hear anything out of my left ear for a couple hours, BOOM! HEI is nice, I do wish the friggen cap wasn't as large as it is, but i really dig the one wire and you're rolling setup.

[prostreetC-10]

HEI is it for simplicity. If you have a clearance issue, run a mag pickup. I have the MSD 85551 and love it. Only switched from my HEI due to clearance.

[jbristo67]

HEI it doesnt look that bad + no one sees it with the hood closed

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by jbristo67

hei it doesnt look that bad + no one sees it with the hood closed

x2

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by jbristo67

HEI it doesnt look that bad + no one sees it with the hood closed

I can't even see mine. The air cleaner hides it.

[hilandr452]

Originally Posted by hilandr452

You must be a subscribing member to make WTT (want to trade) offers.

Please review the rules:

My bad,

I thought it was pertaining to selling and buying only. I stand corrected. I'll take it to PM's.

[cparman]

HEI in both of mine. I have also done a bunch of Pertronix installs. The only thing I have against the pertronix, is if it fails you are stuck for a day or two depending where you live. With the HEI, every parts store in this country has parts for it.

[BP68]

Originally Posted by VanceH

cheaper to maintain then old school set up???

In a way yes. Point may be cheap, but the only maintanence of the HEI is a cap and rotor when they wear out which should be many, many, many miles. And the odd chance the ign module goes out.

I went with a GM performance HEI from Jegs in mine. Put it in, set timming and forget it.

I say if you want old school look, at least put Petronix modern guts inside.