Which HEI to buy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Piece of Work · 09-06-2007, 05:37 PM

It's time for an upgrade. Any and all opinions are appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...mZ260155780011

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...mZ260156541865

-Mark

glock35ipsc · 09-06-2007, 05:55 PM

50k and 65k seems to be the only difference that I can see, just glancing over the two. What mods have been done to the motor? If it is basically stock, the 50k will do just fine. I'm not sure you will really notice a big difference between the two unless the motor is heavily modded....big cam, high compression, etc.

As far as the seller, Skip White has a very good reputation, and has received high praise from many people on this board.

Piece of Work · 09-06-2007, 06:16 PM

The only "mods" are due to time and wear. It's stock and very tired, but a new crate engine isn't in the budget at this time. It needs a tune-up, so I want to change it to HEI. This allows for a larger plug gap and hotter plug, hoping it will reduce plug fowling. I really hope to get another 20,000 miles out of this engine, but only time will tell.

-Mark

ChevLoRay · 09-06-2007, 06:21 PM

Do what I did, after living with an older HEI that became intermittently non-functioning. I bought an ACCEL from O'Reilly's. It was remanufactured to ACCEL's criteria. It worked from the git-go and still does. About $120.

glock35ipsc · 09-06-2007, 06:21 PM

I would go for the 50k then.

kelsfine69 · 09-06-2007, 09:28 PM

i bought from http://pertronix.com/ Very nice piece

Never looked back

Sport/Truck · 09-06-2007, 10:10 PM

A few people are using the 65k unit from Skip White. I have one as well, but haven’t been able to install it yet.
I don’t think you can go wrong at the price IMO.
s/t

Longhorn Man · 09-06-2007, 10:30 PM

I put that much in the tank this morning.

I just got one myself.... thanks for the link!

ofnaman · 09-06-2007, 10:40 PM

I have used about every hei unit made out there and have found that the petronix one worked the best an was the most reliable. I bought a cheap proform hei, and the module in it lasted a week (you get what you pay for). Accel's are o.k., and so are msd's, but like I said, in my opinion the petronix was the best. At one time or another I had all of the above distributors and a mallory unilite in my 12:1 355 cid chevy, all worked great, and I would reccomend any of these other than the proform.

**truckdude239** · 09-06-2007, 11:30 PM

i have the 65k unit from skip white but have yet to install it but it looks nice

Orange · 09-07-2007, 07:50 AM

ofnaman speaks the truth.

The Proform's my dad and I have tried have proven to be junk. That first link you posted looks like one, but I can't at all say that it is.

I am using the Accel Blueprint like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Accel...QQcmdZViewItem
(Didn't buy from them)...

It has the turned shaft (or whatever its called) like the bottom pic, but some of the pics of them show the rougher looking one.

Anyhow, its a very nice unit, and has proving reliable. Has held its time since I put it in anyhow. (A couple or few years ago).

DLB

Ole Blue 68 · 09-07-2007, 12:04 PM

I've been running a Pro-Form for a year and a half with no problems or complaints. Just my experience.

Orange · 09-07-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Blue 68

I've been running a Pro-Form for a year and a half with no problems or complaints. Just my experience.

There is a always a success with any product I suppose. I edited my post to reflect.

DLB

Longhorn Man · 09-07-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange

There is a always a success with any product I suppose. I edited my post to reflect.

DLB

Yep, my dad had a chevette that was a great car, haulled a small U-haul trailer through the smokies... in second gear up the hills... had it for 75,000 miles, couple sets of front brake pads, 3 or 4 oil chainges (yes, only 3 or 4) and a timing belt. Other than that, just gas and tires.

Ole Blue 68 · 09-07-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange

There is a always a success with any product I suppose. I edited my post to reflect.

DLB

This is true. It ain't the first time I've heard Pro-Form is crap so maybe I just got lucky....

Ole Blue 68 · 09-07-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Yep, my dad had a chevette that was a great car, haulled a small U-haul trailer through the smokies... in second gear up the hills... had it for 75,000 miles, couple sets of front brake pads, 3 or 4 oil chainges (yes, only 3 or 4) and a timing belt. Other than that, just gas and tires.

Gotta love the 'vette....

Piece of Work · 09-11-2007, 10:16 PM

Thanks for the input. My choice was made for me, when I finally decided on the 55k, they were gone, so I ordered the 65k distributor and received it this evening. It is a Wysco product with a 3 year warranty. If all goes as planned, I should have it installed this weekend, with new plugs (hotter?) and wires.

-Mark

dan42 · 09-27-2007, 03:20 PM

I just ordered one of the skip white units as well, the 65,000 one - so we'll see. But you are right when you say it's hard to lose for that price.

jkade · 09-27-2007, 03:22 PM

I have one of those in the 1st link and from the same seller in my 86 and it is a good piece for the money.

**Already Gone** · 09-27-2007, 04:09 PM

ttt

**Already Gone** · 09-27-2007, 05:30 PM

My truck started missing, hesitating and cutting out.. I thought it was either the fuel pump or an electrical problem in the ignition. The HEI that was in my truck was obviously used when put into the truck so I figured I'd change that first. My friend that I have been buying parts off for the last 10/15 years suggested I put this Srteetfire Distributor by MSD in the truck and it would cure the ignition demons. After I installed the ignition the missing/hesitation problem was still there and after some checking it was discoverd that the wire from the distributor to the ignition had come loose and was getting burnt by the exhaust manifold. Anyway with that now fixed and the new HEI in the truck ,I cant believe the difference that the HEI made in the driveability. I got my Sreetfire locally but I see in the Summitt catalogue it is listed for 159.95.. I highly recommend this HEI.

Piece of Work · 09-27-2007, 06:10 PM

I've been driving for about 2 weeks with the new distributor, about 400 miles, and this old truck has never run this smooth or had this much power. It has to be the best bang for the buck upgrade I have made.

-Mark

Sport/Truck · 09-27-2007, 06:14 PM

what unit did you end up with?
s/t

**Already Gone** · 09-27-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piece of Work

I've been driving for about 2 weeks with the new distributor, about 400 miles, and this old truck has never run this smooth or had this much power. It has to be the best bang for the buck upgrade I have made.

-Mark

The other best bang for the buck on these trucks if you dont have one already is the addition of a front sway bar with the polyurethane bushings. Since I piut in the new HEI my tires want to break loose pulling away from a light.

Piece of Work · 09-27-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

what unit did you end up with?
s/t

The 65K Silver top from Skip White. Very happy with their service, price, and quality.

-Mark

09-06-2007, 05:37 PM	#1
Piece of Work Cultural Infidel Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 668	Which HEI to buy? It's time for an upgrade. Any and all opinions are appreciated. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...mZ260155780011 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...mZ260156541865 -Mark __________________ posted via La-Z-Boy -Mark 1972 C-10 Fleetside 350/TH350 PS PB A/C Cab Sadly....Sold 1968 Short Fleet 350/TH400 PS PB Delivered by Fine69 Also sadly Sold! It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. A man is not complete until he is married -- then he is finished.

09-06-2007, 05:55 PM	#2
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: Which HEI to buy? 50k and 65k seems to be the only difference that I can see, just glancing over the two. What mods have been done to the motor? If it is basically stock, the 50k will do just fine. I'm not sure you will really notice a big difference between the two unless the motor is heavily modded....big cam, high compression, etc. As far as the seller, Skip White has a very good reputation, and has received high praise from many people on this board. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

09-06-2007, 06:16 PM	#3
Piece of Work Cultural Infidel Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 668	Re: Which HEI to buy? The only "mods" are due to time and wear. It's stock and very tired, but a new crate engine isn't in the budget at this time. It needs a tune-up, so I want to change it to HEI. This allows for a larger plug gap and hotter plug, hoping it will reduce plug fowling. I really hope to get another 20,000 miles out of this engine, but only time will tell. -Mark __________________ posted via La-Z-Boy -Mark 1972 C-10 Fleetside 350/TH350 PS PB A/C Cab Sadly....Sold 1968 Short Fleet 350/TH400 PS PB Delivered by Fine69 Also sadly Sold! It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. A man is not complete until he is married -- then he is finished.

09-06-2007, 06:21 PM	#4
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Which HEI to buy? Do what I did, after living with an older HEI that became intermittently non-functioning. I bought an ACCEL from O'Reilly's. It was remanufactured to ACCEL's criteria. It worked from the git-go and still does. About $120. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

09-06-2007, 06:21 PM	#5
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: Which HEI to buy? I would go for the 50k then. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

09-06-2007, 09:28 PM	#6
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: Which HEI to buy? i bought from http://pertronix.com/ Very nice piece Never looked back __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

09-06-2007, 10:10 PM	#7
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Which HEI to buy? A few people are using the 65k unit from Skip White. I have one as well, but haven’t been able to install it yet. I don’t think you can go wrong at the price IMO. s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

09-06-2007, 10:30 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Which HEI to buy? I put that much in the tank this morning. I just got one myself.... thanks for the link!

09-06-2007, 10:40 PM	#9
ofnaman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: reno Posts: 397	Re: Which HEI to buy? I have used about every hei unit made out there and have found that the petronix one worked the best an was the most reliable. I bought a cheap proform hei, and the module in it lasted a week (you get what you pay for). Accel's are o.k., and so are msd's, but like I said, in my opinion the petronix was the best. At one time or another I had all of the above distributors and a mallory unilite in my 12:1 355 cid chevy, all worked great, and I would reccomend any of these other than the proform.

09-06-2007, 11:30 PM	#10
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: Which HEI to buy? i have the 65k unit from skip white but have yet to install it but it looks nice __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

09-07-2007, 07:50 AM	#11
Orange Licensed to Thrill! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northwest, GA Posts: 1,673	Re: Which HEI to buy? ofnaman speaks the truth. The Proform's my dad and I have tried have proven to be junk. That first link you posted looks like one, but I can't at all say that it is. I am using the Accel Blueprint like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Accel...QQcmdZViewItem (Didn't buy from them)... It has the turned shaft (or whatever its called) like the bottom pic, but some of the pics of them show the rougher looking one. Anyhow, its a very nice unit, and has proving reliable. Has held its time since I put it in anyhow. (A couple or few years ago). DLB __________________ 1971 GMC.Lowered. Overdrive. Orange. Krue's excellent FAQ Index. Last edited by Orange; 09-07-2007 at 01:40 PM.

09-07-2007, 12:04 PM	#12
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: Which HEI to buy? I've been running a Pro-Form for a year and a half with no problems or complaints. Just my experience.

09-11-2007, 10:16 PM	#17
Piece of Work Cultural Infidel Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 668	Re: Which HEI to buy? Thanks for the input. My choice was made for me, when I finally decided on the 55k, they were gone, so I ordered the 65k distributor and received it this evening. It is a Wysco product with a 3 year warranty. If all goes as planned, I should have it installed this weekend, with new plugs (hotter?) and wires. -Mark __________________ posted via La-Z-Boy -Mark 1972 C-10 Fleetside 350/TH350 PS PB A/C Cab Sadly....Sold 1968 Short Fleet 350/TH400 PS PB Delivered by Fine69 Also sadly Sold! It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. A man is not complete until he is married -- then he is finished.

09-27-2007, 03:20 PM	#18
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Which HEI to buy? I just ordered one of the skip white units as well, the 65,000 one - so we'll see. But you are right when you say it's hard to lose for that price. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

09-27-2007, 03:22 PM	#19
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,519	Re: Which HEI to buy? I have one of those in the 1st link and from the same seller in my 86 and it is a good piece for the money.



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09-27-2007, 04:09 PM	#20
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,139	Re: Which HEI to buy? ttt __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

09-27-2007, 05:30 PM	#21
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,139	Re: Which HEI to buy? My truck started missing, hesitating and cutting out.. I thought it was either the fuel pump or an electrical problem in the ignition. The HEI that was in my truck was obviously used when put into the truck so I figured I'd change that first. My friend that I have been buying parts off for the last 10/15 years suggested I put this Srteetfire Distributor by MSD in the truck and it would cure the ignition demons. After I installed the ignition the missing/hesitation problem was still there and after some checking it was discoverd that the wire from the distributor to the ignition had come loose and was getting burnt by the exhaust manifold. Anyway with that now fixed and the new HEI in the truck ,I cant believe the difference that the HEI made in the driveability. I got my Sreetfire locally but I see in the Summitt catalogue it is listed for 159.95.. I highly recommend this HEI. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021 Last edited by Already Gone; 09-27-2007 at 05:33 PM.

09-27-2007, 06:10 PM	#22
Piece of Work Cultural Infidel Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 668	Re: Which HEI to buy? I've been driving for about 2 weeks with the new distributor, about 400 miles, and this old truck has never run this smooth or had this much power. It has to be the best bang for the buck upgrade I have made. -Mark __________________ posted via La-Z-Boy -Mark 1972 C-10 Fleetside 350/TH350 PS PB A/C Cab Sadly....Sold 1968 Short Fleet 350/TH400 PS PB Delivered by Fine69 Also sadly Sold! It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. A man is not complete until he is married -- then he is finished.

09-27-2007, 06:14 PM	#23
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Which HEI to buy? what unit did you end up with? s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

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