hei conversion

[x6xdemonx6x]

91 waggy 360. Would i gain anything and what all is needed?

[vintagetrks]

91 waggy 360. Would i gain anything and what all is needed?

IMHO you would gain hotter spark for better combustion a more reliable distributor setup and posibly a gallon or two better fuel economy. Don't forget to put your existing distributor gear on to the HEI unit as these rigs have a tendancy to chew up new dizzy gears.

[CHICOWAGGY]

I totally agree, the stock ignition system is weak. I love GM's HEI design. One wire hook up and every thing is self contained.

[x6xdemonx6x]

I've seen a few on ebay for amc's has anyone on here used one of these units?

[Blue & Gray]

I haven't used any particular ebay unit but I have added HEI to both my 258's and sourced a V8 unit off this board for my bro's chero. It's a very good mod, opens the plugs up to 45' and gives a noticeable increase in power, starting and what not.

I have gone a bit further and added an MSD 6A box on my bro's and my Cherokees. Running the 6A eliminates the Module under the rotor which is really the only thing that goes out on these dizzies from my experience. Your looking at another $180 for a new 6A box or whatever Ebay turns up. Seems my bro's 6A was $75 or so off DaBay. MSD is pretty high quality stuff from my experience and you pretty much see it everywhere anybody is racing anything but it benefits a DD just as much. Adding HEI w/ MSD even to stock rig has always made me think that they should have been sold stock with something similar. An AMC V8 acts just as stout as any similar make cid V8 I have driven when you add the right stuff, tune it in and give it what for.


Ignition is always my first mod, getting that system "maxed out" with quality parts helps on road reliability which directly affects The Love Level and increases the desire to spend more. Next is a quality electric fuel pump, this makes for instant cold starts and the Jeep itself begins to act like maybe it's not 30+ years old and wore out which then leads to suspension mods and wheelin because your rig runs great and acts right and you trust it a little more.


Didn't mean to write a novel but I have noticed many trucks where all the money was on lift and tires and very little on what makes it go. Going about it the other way always made more sense to me.

[x6xdemonx6x]

i lucked out on mine not only does it not have rust (save for the fuel tank skid plate) it came with brand new 4" lift springs in the front and blocked in the back but the po went ahead and purchased brand new rear lift springs (noticed they were starting to sag) that are in my cargo area just got to get around to slapping them on. My jeep has had someone hack at the wireing (the most recent po i beleave, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed) for the coil which now can't seem to hold a good connection so i have to jump out and fiddle with it sometimes to fire it up which is why i was considering going the hei route.

[Blue & Gray]

Sounds like a good rig! The HEI just needs one switched 12v wire and your good to go. You'll need plug wires also, your old ones don't have the right ends on the cap side. Another thing that's nice about the HEI, positive lock on all the plug wires on all ends.

[x6xdemonx6x]

370302460428 thats the item number of the one i was looking at on ebay there are some cheaper ones on there and some even come with the wires but this guy is a toprated seller.

[Tatsadasayago]

I agree with the others! Once you get that HEI in there and setup properly you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

On my 76 401 it was night and day from the stock ignition.
I did have to re-curve the mech advance (Heavier springs to slow things down) and decrease the vac advance to get a ping-free full throttle stab off the line in 105f temps....but it was worth it!

I have the Mallory units on both rigs and won't part with em unless my pulse is stopped.

[jaber]

For your '91, you can do the TFI and not have to tough the dizzy. Just get the cap, rotor, adapter, and coil from an '87 Ford 460. Then a set of wires and open your plugs to .045. I have all the part #'s, but they are on the old computer....

EDIT: here it is.

http://fsjeep.homestead.com/TFI_Upgade.html

[Brizio]

This is one of my (many) future project...

[Skeeter74]

I used the "Dragonfire" HEI from Ebay. New plugs, wires and pulled the old module and used the ignition hot from the old module for the HEI. Benn running as a DD for about 3 months now and have had no problems with HEI.

[710 Burner]

I would not say one design is more reliable than the other. Each has its good points, and bad.

[Lindel]

I would not say one design is more reliable than the other. Each has its good points, and bad.

No, they don't have any points...;)

Mark's right, it basically depends on which you prefer. I've used several different ignition systems over the years (no HEI except in a chevy) and all have been equally good. The shortest lived was a Jacob's system, only 3 years. The most reliable was the stock system, with or without the TFI mod.

In my hotrod days, I used to run Mallory systems and always had good luck with them.

[MikeinColorado]

I have an 88 wagoneer and I just picked up a HEI unit off ebay.
Am I reading this right in that I get to ditch my ignition module?
The Atari like cartridge on the drivers side fender? I have a slight miss with new plugs and wires and I assume the ignition module is the culprit as it looks to be factory original and the jeep I bought sat for 5 years....
I'm hoping the he will give good spark and fix the miss

[cajun_lad]

Am I reading this right in that I get to ditch my ignition module?
The Atari like cartridge on the drivers side fender?

Yup, the ignition module and the coil go away. Just need a switched 12V source for the HEI. And don't forget to open up the gap on the plugs to .045

[MikeinColorado]

Sounds simple enough, I am getting ready to take the family (2 kids, 3 dogs) camping up Old Stage Road out of Colorado Springs. First mountain adventure in the wagon....I'd like it dialed in.

[Herezja]

I bought my HEI and wires from 4wd.com.

http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Engine-Performance/HEI-Distributor-and-Wire-Set-by-4Wheel-Drive-Hardware.aspx?t_c=74&t_s=43&t_pt=3825&t_pl=104721&t_pn=KITWYSWP8919R

Along with the power lead pigtail:

http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Performance-Electrical/HEI-Power-Lead-by-Painless.aspx?t_c=72&t_s=123&t_pt=101322&t_pl=105051&t_pn=PWP30809

I haven't had the chance to install it yet, but it is sitting in my garage ready to go with a set of E3 plugs. One of these days I will get the chance to install it (along with the rest of the boxes full of resto parts I have hanging around the garage).

Anything I need to be aware of before I tackle the install? Should I keep the plug gap at .045 or go to .050 as recommended from 4wd Hardware? Should I keep the gear or swap it out for the stock one? I have heard a lot of back and forth on that one.

Thanks!

:fsj:

[HD_JEEP]

I used the "Dragonfire" HEI from Ebay. New plugs, wires and pulled the old module and used the ignition hot from the old module for the HEI. Benn running as a DD for about 3 months now and have had no problems with HEI.

Ditto same here...

DRAGONFIRE PRO-SERIES HEI

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2690/221/31722610063_medium.jpg (http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2690/221/31722610063_large.jpg)

-Manfucturer: AIP Electronics Model - DRAGONFIRE
-65K volt coil, adjustable vacuum canister, bronze bushing, corrosion resistant shaft, heavy duty drive gear, brass terminals, precision advance weights.
- 65% more energy with 42% faster spark breakdown time compared to other HEI's

I also used the Accel 8871 B/B Chevy GMC 454 8.8MM custom plug wires. I have read really good reviews on this type of plug wire added to my HEI setup.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2690/221/31722610064_medium.jpg (http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2690/221/31722610064_large.jpg)
(http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2690/221/31722610065_large.jpg)

Very happy with my setup. :D

[tgreese]

Putting an aftermarket HEI distributor on a Jeep that is already equipped with the Duraspark system (like yours) is a complete waste of money, IMO.

Theoretically, there is no difference between the HEI and your existing Motorcraft Duraspark ignition system when fitted with the Ford TFI parts. They use the same principle to trigger, they have the same type of coil, they have the same type of electronics that do the triggering... no substantive difference.

The main difference is that the HEI moves the ignition module into the distributor body. This reduces the clutter under the hood, but it is electrically inferior to the 'external module' design.

I expect any improvement that people feel when switching to the HEI is either from replacing old, worn ignition parts, or is pure validation bias.

Plus it's lots less risky to your camshaft gear to keep your existing distributor. Keep your distributor, go TFI with a thorough tune-up and top-quality parts, and be proud. JMO.

[MikeinColorado]

I found this, would you say this guy is accurate?
http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/project-cj7/project-cj7-HEI-Installation-1.htm

[Suddendeath]

Putting an aftermarket HEI distributor on a Jeep that is already equipped with the Duraspark system (like yours) is a complete waste of money, IMO.

Theoretically, there is no difference between the HEI and your existing Motorcraft Duraspark ignition system when fitted with the Ford TFI parts. They use the same principle to trigger, they have the same type of coil, they have the same type of electronics that do the triggering... no substantive difference.

The main difference is that the HEI moves the ignition module into the distributor body. This reduces the clutter under the hood, but it is electrically inferior to the 'external module' design.

I expect any improvement that people feel when switching to the HEI is either from replacing old, worn ignition parts, or is pure validation bias.

Plus it's lots less risky to your camshaft gear to keep your existing distributor. Keep your distributor, go TFI with a thorough tune-up and top-quality parts, and be proud. JMO.

IIRC, the TFI upgrade keeps the stock ignition control module in the loop. That ignition module was the weakest link in the first place, and with all of the extra power from the TFI running through it I've heard they blow out quite quickly and regularly. That's why I went HEI instead of TFI, to ditch the ignition module.

[tgreese]

Supposedly the original Ford/Motorcraft/AMC Duraspark modules are fine - it's just the aftermarket modules that are unreliable (supposedly - I suspect that you get what you pay for. Perhaps you can just avoid the cheap replacement modules).

You can still get a Delco HEI module, and it will work fine with the Motorcraft distributor. If you want a HEI module rather than the Motorcraft module, do the "Stealth HEI" conversion - put a HEI module inside your pooped-out Duraspark module case: http://www.junkyardgenius.com/ignition/jeep/HEI01.html

The HEI module works with the Duraspark distributor, and the Duraspark module works with the HEI distributor. Same principle, same result.

[1968pickup]

i ordered the hei for amc from summit it works good and your not gambling on a random ebay purchase it works great just make sure its the right cam gear for amc

[Schlagger]

I don't know what the case is here, but it seems like more and more lately the "good" brand names are just the cheap chinese parts with a different sticker on them. I recently bought a ujoint/ball joint removal tool from Harbor Freight for $60, and its is EXACTLY the same as the one Napa had for $140, including the "Made in China" script. Again, not knocking summit at all or saying thats the case in this instance, but its a trend I'm seeing everywhere.

[ProTouring442]

I don't know what the case is here, but it seems like more and more lately the "good" brand names are just the cheap chinese parts with a different sticker on them. I recently bought a ujoint/ball joint removal tool from Harbor Freight for $60, and its is EXACTLY the same as the one Napa had for $140, including the "Made in China" script. Again, not knocking summit at all or saying thats the case in this instance, but its a trend I'm seeing everywhere.

Perhaps, but neither is the Made in the USA original that is the OTC tool.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill