Brass contacts, HEI cap & rotor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Stocker** · 07-17-2003, 09:30 PM

Are HEI cap & rotor available with brass contacts? (I assume they are better/last longer than contacts that appear to be aluminum.) If not aftermarket, maybe OEM parts. I hate to bother with a minor question, but I don't have a dealer nearby, and figured this would be an easy one for you guys!

FWIW, I bought my GM HEI used in '86, and don't know what it came off of.

lukecp · 07-17-2003, 09:36 PM

I am pretty sure Accel parts have brass contacts. I picked up a Borg Warner Platnium cap and rotor for my HEI a year ago, and it had brass contacts on both pieces. I really don't know how much of a difference they make compared to allumium. Brass proably has a little less resistance than allumium, which would give you more power to the plugs, but i dunno. My cap and rotor were about $25 for both, btw.

Longhorn Man · 07-18-2003, 08:57 PM

I bought one for our two vehicles a couple years ago at Advance Auto,a nd was pretty disapointed. They both lasted 2 years, and that was it. They were so corroded that he truck died and I replaced it, and not even a month later mine went too.
They claimed life time money back too....bunch of B.S. they told me when i called that since they were not installed by aASE certified mechanic, that I was at fault for them going bad.

**Stocker** · 07-18-2003, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longhornmail
they told me when i called that since they were not installed by aASE certified mechanic, that I was at fault for them going bad.

What a bunch of hooey!

Thanks for the replies, guys.

What's the general concensus here - is OEM better quality? I'm basically stock (no HiPo anything), but I don't want to be replacing cap & rotor every couple years. Anyone else willing to toss in their .02?

**passthebuck** · 07-19-2003, 12:58 AM

aluminum contacts wear out WAY faster-the current rips them appart faster... The accell caps have a brass button between the coil & the rotor whereas the chapies have a carbon button (carbon ones = more resistance). the borg warner ones i undertand are good too but i'm unsure what the coil button is made of. i change my cap & rotor every year & a half or so.

Ron · 07-19-2003, 02:37 AM

I have 3 HEI vehicles. I get my caps from Summit. They are MSD, come in red or black (I always get red of course) and cost around $10.00. Yes, they are copper.

07-17-2003, 09:30 PM	#1
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,594	Brass contacts, HEI cap & rotor Are HEI cap & rotor available with brass contacts? (I assume they are better/last longer than contacts that appear to be aluminum.) If not aftermarket, maybe OEM parts. I hate to bother with a minor question, but I don't have a dealer nearby, and figured this would be an easy one for you guys! FWIW, I bought my GM HEI used in '86, and don't know what it came off of. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-17-2003, 09:36 PM	#2
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I am pretty sure Accel parts have brass contacts. I picked up a Borg Warner Platnium cap and rotor for my HEI a year ago, and it had brass contacts on both pieces. I really don't know how much of a difference they make compared to allumium. Brass proably has a little less resistance than allumium, which would give you more power to the plugs, but i dunno. My cap and rotor were about $25 for both, btw. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-19-2003, 12:58 AM	#5
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	aluminum contacts wear out WAY faster-the current rips them appart faster... The accell caps have a brass button between the coil & the rotor whereas the chapies have a carbon button (carbon ones = more resistance). the borg warner ones i undertand are good too but i'm unsure what the coil button is made of. i change my cap & rotor every year & a half or so. __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

07-19-2003, 02:37 AM	#6
Ron Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Zillah Wa. USA Posts: 394	I have 3 HEI vehicles. I get my caps from Summit. They are MSD, come in red or black (I always get red of course) and cost around $10.00. Yes, they are copper. __________________ '69 SWB '76 International "Terra" "Hooked on holiday beer"

07-18-2003, 08:57 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I bought one for our two vehicles a couple years ago at Advance Auto,a nd was pretty disapointed. They both lasted 2 years, and that was it. They were so corroded that he truck died and I replaced it, and not even a month later mine went too. They claimed life time money back too....bunch of B.S. they told me when i called that since they were not installed by aASE certified mechanic, that I was at fault for them going bad.



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