HEI for 302
- Thread starter pazur
- Start date
ratio411
Founding Member
Get a rebuilt Duraspark.
They are bulletproof.
All they are is a flying magnet.
Much better than HEI.
MSD distributors are based on the Ford DS setup because it is so reliable.
The HEI has a built in module, which is one of it's biggest weaknesses.
Ford has the module on the fender skirt. Commonly called "brain box".
This can be replaced with an MSD box if you like.
The brain box works much the same, some years even came with starter retards.
Edit:
You also need to account for the large size of the HEI type.
It WILL limit your choice of air cleaner, interfere with MC bars, and does make working on some carbs much harder than it needs to be.
My uncle uses one on a 289 with a Holley carb, and he wishes he never converted to HEI. Mainly because he can't access the Holley, use his favorite air cleaner, and use his MC bar.
They are bulletproof.
All they are is a flying magnet.
Much better than HEI.
MSD distributors are based on the Ford DS setup because it is so reliable.
The HEI has a built in module, which is one of it's biggest weaknesses.
Ford has the module on the fender skirt. Commonly called "brain box".
This can be replaced with an MSD box if you like.
The brain box works much the same, some years even came with starter retards.
Edit:
You also need to account for the large size of the HEI type.
It WILL limit your choice of air cleaner, interfere with MC bars, and does make working on some carbs much harder than it needs to be.
My uncle uses one on a 289 with a Holley carb, and he wishes he never converted to HEI. Mainly because he can't access the Holley, use his favorite air cleaner, and use his MC bar.
mrmustangman357
Member
- Feb 11, 2007
- 763
- 3
- 18
i use the HEI because it all comes in one unit. I have the curved MC bar and a regular air clreaner without prbles, but i have an edlebrock RPM air gap. I bought the cheap HEI on ebay and it has a weak module that lets the spark wander a bit, but you can buy easy tuneup kits at any local parts store and dial it in yourself easily.
for under 150 though, you would be buying a cheap one and likely switching the module out.
for under 150 though, you would be buying a cheap one and likely switching the module out.
ratio411
Founding Member
That's the cool thing about it...
You can use the large cap for controlling spark scatter, small cap to make it look stock, and there is a hybrid cap that is stock looking and small... but has terminals instead of sockets.
Sorry I don't know part numbers, but a buddy on the Maverick board found the male terminal small cap... I need to check with him myself, that is the cap I would prefer.
ratio411
Founding Member
Well, I have experience with the Mallory Unilite.
IMO, THEY $UCK!
No opinion on others.
Like I posted previous, you CAN use a large, male terminal cap on the DS.
As a matter of fact, that large DS cap will fit any of the Ford V8 distributors, even points. But that is off topic.
And yes, the DS is a stock high ouput electronic ignition.
More or less put into use in 75, until the TFI system came out roughly 10 years later.
Like I posted previous, if you don't like the stock module (it's okay), you can trigger many other types of ignition with it. MSD 6 being the most popular...
I don't think you can replace the internal module on the HEI with an aftermarket box. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the box still needs to be there even if you use an MSD or the like. And it is in the distributor, being exposed to some extremes.
If you want to spend the money on an MSD or Mallory go ahead, they do look nicer. The Duraspark distributor is equal in performance when it is paired with an aftermarket ignition box. Had I known that at the time I wouldn't have sold my roller cam duraspark and I would have used it with my MSD digital 6 box. Furthermore, the MSD and duraspark use the same pickup (from what I've heard).
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
The Duraspark distributor uses a variable reluctor type sensor with a ferrous reluctor ring, not a "flying magnet" type.
This is the method I used for my cheap DS ignition:
http://www.gofastforless.com/ignition/tfi.htm
Another site with the same info:
http://www.bronco.com/cms/node/25
Costs for my personal setup:
Rebuilt DS distributor with steel gear for roller cam: ~$48
4-pin HEI module: $20
Reusing good cap, rotor, and wires: $0
Just be sure to adequately heatsink the HEI module.
This is the method I used for my cheap DS ignition:
http://www.gofastforless.com/ignition/tfi.htm
Another site with the same info:
http://www.bronco.com/cms/node/25
Costs for my personal setup:
Rebuilt DS distributor with steel gear for roller cam: ~$48
4-pin HEI module: $20
Reusing good cap, rotor, and wires: $0
Just be sure to adequately heatsink the HEI module.
ratio411
Founding Member
ratio411
Founding Member
I have seen that done, however I don't understand the benefit.
The stock DS box does a great many things.
If you research them and get the right box, you can even taylor your timing, dwell, and retard. As well as get a starting retard.
OR
You can just run an aftermarket ignition box instead of a module of any sort.
What is your understanding of the benefit of using the GM module over the other options?
It would take a big benefit for me to understand...
After second thought the idea for using stock ds with larger cap coupled with an ignition box is maybe not that bad. I may even have ds 1 on 73 302w (not sure if it is not the earlier distr.) with cracked cap anyway and it's better to spend money to ignition box rather than new HEI distributor
You mean one with capacitive discharge ? as there are many MSD 6 for street and drag race applications...
Hack
15 Year Member
If you decide to use a Duraspark the recommendations I've seen are to buy a Duraspark dizzy for an '85 Mustang GT. It has a good performance advance curve. Make sure you get the cast gear unless you are using a newer steel hydraulic roller cam. You can get a rebuilt one at any local parts store.
ratio411
Founding Member
I thought DS was phased out by then?
An 85 GT would surely be TFI...
An carbd 85 is not TFI it is Duraspark same as 84.
BlueMonster65
Founding Member
MSD is vastly superior to the duraspark. i had a duraspark and its inibility to adjust ingnition advance curves makes it a poor choice for a performance engine. In addition to that there are very liberal tolerances which cause the rotor to rise at high rpm again causing erratic performance. i noticed a HUGE difference when i upgraded. if you plan on using your engine above 4500rpm do not use a duraspark. this is the reason why aftermarket distributors such as the MSD exist. a regular HEI is no better than a DS in terms of performance. the davis unified ignition (DUI) is a performance oriented version of the HEI for fords but i have no experience with it. Another dist to consider is te new Crane unit. i have used crane hi6 ignition equip with very good results, had their dist been avail i prolly would have bought it vs the MSD.
When I say the digital 6 I mean the digital 6:
http://www.msdignition.com/ignition_18_6520.htm
I guess they are calling it the digital 6 plus now...
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
Huh? The DS has centrifugal weights and a vacuum advance just like a points distributor.
By the way, asking for an '85 GT distributor will get you a steel-geared DS for roller cams. Well, half the time anyway. The other half will be an iron gear....which is bad if you have a roller cam and actually need the steel gear.
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