Thread: HEI or Not??

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Hi Guys.
i have a question on wether or not i should switch my 57' chevy with a 350 standard points ignition over to HEI.
If so,what do you reccomend as far as what type and brand.

---Lerch

hi go for thee swap its so easy,one wire hook up no problems and no more points to foul or gap etc...I was a dedicated points guy until this week too. As some of the fellas said its still 30 some year old technology so why not go modern with hei. As for a manufacturer I used a mallory ready to run hei its got adjustable vacuum and mechanical advances so you can custum curve your own distributor, it also comes with a coil and module. The part # is maa-8548201c and is about $160.00 at summit or jegs. refer to the posst engine tuning to see what kind of grief my old points system caused me.

Yeah Hi Philthy.
i had read your thread just after i asked my question.and was impressed.Sounds good.So as i am not too mechanically inclined i should not have a probem,right?Won't i need some new type of plug to plug into the new distributer?Does this kit come with instruction?And what new wires did you get and should i get new plugs and widen the gap?i am now running Bosch Platinums which are equivalent to the AC R44TSX at .045 gap. i heard you should widen up to .060.
Lots of questions to ask.....One last.....
Did this noticeably increase performance?
Thanks,Lerch

Hey Philthy.
i just took a look a the model# you got at Summit and just want to know if you knnow the diff. on the other model,the "RC" which says this:"Race Prepped model with locked advance and includes performance coil." Which is $20 more. Are they saying its "Locked" so there is no adjustment to it?And the "C" model you got "is" adjustable? Not sure what they mean by "Race Prepped"...Do you know?

---Lerch

Hi Denny.
Hmmmm....not sure i get it.Can you point me in the right direction.Brand,model,type...whatever.
is the above Mallory not a good choice,Or what.?
Do they make one the likes you are talking about?
Believe me,you are not butting in.....i need all the help i can get.
Also,since i know you are a man with many answers,will i need a new ballast resistor and what else.i saw in another thread someone mention a relay and 12 Ga. wire.....What kind of relay?
---Lerch

The mallory part # i gave you is for an upgrade to a stock system. The only thing you will neeed to get is the plug[single wire} for the batt connection on the hei get it from a junkyard and just splice it into the positive wire going to your coil. as far as the ballast resistor you can pitch it in the circular file. just make sure that the wire going to your + side of your coil is a constant 12 volt source.

as far as your plug gaps are concerned start at 0.45 see were it gets you but ive got mine gapped at 0.45 and all works wel. the kits comes with full instructions and is very easy to install it will take you all of 20 minutes. the wire i am using are msd 8.5mm super conductor wires and as far as performance gains go its a lot more reliable.

Thanks Denny and Thanks Philthy for the info.
But now i have to decide if it is worth the extra money.
Seems i can get a stock one for about $100 or the Mallory for about $200.(S/H included)
No ballast resistor? You sure?Just run a 12ga. wire straight from the ignition switch to the + coil?Not doubting you,its just i have read it in a couple articles its the thing to do.

----Lerch

the guy at the speed shop told me i didnt need a ballast resistor so i took it off havent had any problems yet. I got mine for $201 canadian so if you have a shop in your area that can source one for you it will save the s/h. Im not sure of the gauge
of the wire but just test the + wire that goes to the coil + teminal to make sure its a constant 12 volt source. if that passes muster then just splice in the plug you get from the junkyard hei and hook it up.
its worth the extra 50 or 60 bucks if you plan on building more hp as it will take the rpm better than a stock unit

Hi Philthy.
Hey, i went ahead and splurged for the Mallory,like you.(sorry Denny).i just always like to get the best for my baby.
However, as i just ordered this morn, i decided to check the clearance between my old points distributor and the firewall.Looks to be exactly 2 1/2 inches fro the center of distributor and firewall.I hope to hell thats going to be enough room.My luck it won't be. i had the guys at the Speed shop measure the Mallory and they said 2 1/2 inches also.You have any clearance issues?
---Lerch

no i dont have any clearance issues but then again its in a 68 pickup

"I hope to hell thats going to be enough room.My luck it won't be."

A little massaging with a BFH will make all right with the world.

Make sure you have 12 + volts to run your new ignition.