I dont know why on the HEI

D

Dan83

Member

Jul 24, 2018

6

4

13

N.E. Ohio

Aug 3, 2018

#1

• Aug 3, 2018

• #1

I got my 83 GT 5.0 about a month ago, and am trying to learn a few things. The PO told me that another PO had a slight fire, and installed an Edelbrock 4 barrel carb and the motor also has an HEI distributor. Did this year come with a EFI? Right or wrong this is what I have, but I would like to know why the change and why they didn't just go back to what it came with. I have read some on here that it seems to have been the thing to do. The motor does run pretty good. Thanks for and info

 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions

Mar 10, 2000

27,512

2,813

234

Dublin GA

Aug 3, 2018

#2

• Aug 3, 2018

• #2

The 83 was a carb system with a mechanical advance distributor.

 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

SN Certified Technician

Mar 2, 2015

6,945

5,816

213

Aug 3, 2018

#3

• Aug 3, 2018

• #3

The HEI distributor is an upgrade over the ford factory duraspark. I've done them before. The HEI is tunable with springs and weights on the distributor body under the rotor. It also allows the coil to sit directly on top of the rotor getting rid off that 3 foot wire we usually have to the coil. It's also simple to wire in.

 

2

2 cam sam

Founding Member

Apr 29, 2000

68

1

6

Mabelvale Ar.

Aug 3, 2018

#4

• Aug 3, 2018

• #4

I would take that GM crap HEI off . They look horrible on a Ford . You can recurve a Duraspark for $ 7 .

 

Reactions: Stevenmverrill

D

Dan83

Member

Jul 24, 2018

6

4

13

N.E. Ohio

Aug 3, 2018

#5

• Aug 3, 2018

• #5

Thanks for the response.

 

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

15 Year Member

Jun 28, 2013

3,432

1,524

194

Maryland

Aug 3, 2018

#6

• Aug 3, 2018

• #6

Yeah they modify HEI to fit various applications they were not originally designed for. Must mean the HEI is pretty good. My neighbor bought an HEI for his 340 '71 Cuda. I have experience with HEI on various GM vehicles I've owned in the past. Some aftermarket ones are made pretty crappy though. Get a quality one and your good to go.

 

65ShelbyClone

Founding Member

Sep 9, 2000

4,675

38

119

Antelope Valley, SoCal

Aug 4, 2018

#7

• Aug 4, 2018

• #7

90sickfox said:

The HEI distributor is an upgrade over the ford factory duraspark.

Click to expand...

In what way? They function very similarly except the Duraspark box has cranking retard.

The Ford Duraspark distributor can be used with a four-pin GM HEI module if desired. That's what I have in my '68. The Duraspark still has vacuum and centrifugal advance mechanisms so tuning is a non-issue.