![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CENTRAL,NJ
Posts: 586
|
Ignition Upgrade?
I am starting to get to the point were I can finally drive my truck.I have changed the intake and carb and a ton of things on the body and interior.I would really like to upgrade the stock ignition.I tried to put a HEI distributor in it,out of my son's 69 Chevelle,no go. It's sits to close to the firewall.I thought I could squeeze it in because I know a lot of you guys have them. It's a 71 4X4 Shortbed,with a 307.It just won't go!
So what's the next best thing?Do they make a small cap HEI? tHANKS! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 2,436
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
I think Summit sells a kit to replace the points and use the old distributor. I have never done it, but I know quite a few people on here have. One brand that comes to mind is Petronics.
Hopefully someone that has done it will post.
__________________
'67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
I am running a Pertronix II in my longhorn.....do your own resaerch on this! Mine works great, I have seen my 383 to 7200 on the tach....but some of the guys will say that they dont belong on anything but a tractor! I have run an HEI in my longhorn, it fits , but damn tight! you will need to remove the cap & ROTOR to set the dist in the engine
![]() ![]() ![]()
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
What?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,617
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Pertronix in my burb, and the 70 K10 I just got has a Pertronix ignition as well.
No complaints here, and easy as heck to install.
__________________
Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Diamondhead, Ms.
Posts: 12
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Take a look at Pertronix distributors, ( http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/default.aspx )
I had on in a 72 Olds Cutlass Supreme Convertable, worked great! Putting one in a friend's 67 GTO soon as the motor is finished. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Forest City IA
Posts: 56
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Might want to give the motor and tranny mounts a once over. Sometime they sag and leave the motor a lot closer to the firewall.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Another vote for Pertronix
![]()
__________________
A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
English Chevy Owner
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France
Posts: 1,848
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
I've just gone to a pertronix ignitor as I had the same problems, V8 in the six position and even with the cap off an HEI wouldn't drop in, god knows I tried so I converted the mallory twin point that was in there with a pertronix kit, fired it up this week for the first time and it ran great even with the timing off.
__________________
Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,267
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
I think the bum rap PerTronix got on the Ignitor I was due to a propensity to fry the electronics if the ignition was left ON for any length of time without running, The Ignitor II fixes this problem. It will simply shut off if the key is left on.
I've tried HEIs. I have one in my '71 GMC Jimmy 4x4. First I got a junkyard distributor and tried putting fresh components on it. Something was always going wrong. Finally I got a Mallory HEI. I found it's cheaper in the long run to get a good distributor from the start. On my 292 L6 in a '68 Stepside, I used the points for years, since I was in the habit of tuning up with that system, but when I put a PerTronix Ignitor II unit in a rebuilt Delco [Accel Blueprint], I was surprized by the kick-in-the-pants acceleration that the Ignitor II gave me. It was like adding a higher gear.
__________________
Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CENTRAL,NJ
Posts: 586
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Thanks for all the great responses! It nice to know that I am not alone with the fit problem!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
while the pertrinix works quite well, you can get HEI parts at local stores any time of the day, walk in and walk out with the part, and back on the road.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 1,713
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Quote:
![]()
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CENTRAL,NJ
Posts: 586
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
I've tried to fit the HEI with out the cap on,still no go!
So I am going to go with the Pertronix. Should I get the II or III? Thanks! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 784
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
I thought there was a smaller diameter GM HEI available? The install instructions for Crate motors says to use the smaller dist when putting a motor in the rear mount position. I have that sheet around here somewhere. I'll see if I can find it. It had the part number for the smaller dist.
I have the larger one, and my engine is on the rear mounts. It's pretty tight to the firewall. I'm guessing it was installed prior to the engine install, with the cap off, of course. Like dude above, I like being able to buy cap and rotor at any parts store, and I like the price of those standard parts. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Keep us updated ...
__________________
A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 110
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Another conversion option is this M&H kit. I have been running it for a for years with no problems. http://www.breakerless.com/
__________________
Mike 67' GMC Fleetside |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CENTRAL,NJ
Posts: 586
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
I've had the old pertronix that worked OK. Cheaper option is a Skip White H.E. dist.on ebay if he's still there. I think it was about $50 complete. The only problem with mine was that the advance was very limited and one of these days I will modify it to get more advance (elongate the little slot or whatever).WLH
Didn't see any performance or mileage improvement with either just easier starting and no maintenance (yet).
__________________
'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CENTRAL,NJ
Posts: 586
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Thanks for all the responses guys!
Have any of you tried the new MSD EZ-1 kit? It uses only one wire,looks pretty good! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
|
Re: Ignition Upgrade?
Quote:
As I posted above,you can get a complete NEW H.E. distrib on Ebay for $50. Aren't all distribs are one-wire unless you run a tach? I can't remember.WLH
__________________
'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|