Well I got a electronic distributor on wednesday with a 10R recuvre and I picked up the "quality" HEI module from Napa.

As Dan said it was very, very easy. I mounted the module on the inside of the fender with the aluminum plate and ran the wires from the distributor directly to it. The guy at Napa even gave me the connectors for free. I also opened up my plug gap to .045 (and removed the washers).

I was using the original '64 distributor with a Pertronix unit. I am still using the Pertronix 45K coil. When I first hit the key, it snapped right over. Big difference. I went for a ride and there are no problems. I still have to tune some more, but I do notice a nice steady idle, and it starts better too.

I don't know how much is the HEI and how much is the new distributor, but I like the result. Anyone going from a points ignition, I would highly recommend this conversion.

Thanks again Dan.

Anyone need a Ballast resistor?

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"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

Sounds like you're all set up and running. Good work!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I've been hearing about this HEI thing for years, and I honestly don't think it's needed. I ran /6's with points for over 100,000 miles, and stock Mopar electronic ignition for over another 100,000 miles, and never had a serious problem.

Yeah, the points needed adjusting once in a great while, so what? I liked to get into the engine and fine tune and adjust things. I did lose a ballast and ECU once or twice, but again, no big deal at all. One junkyard ECU ran for over 4 years for me and did a great job.

I just can't see putting GM parts on the car for something like this.

I guess I'm not "all mopar in my car no matter what" and more "if something else works and is a good price, then I'll consider it".
I also have a trac-loc rear from a Ford Explorer that I got for $200.
Was the points car you ran a 4 bbl with a higher lift cam? I wonder if that makes a difference. Maybe my points distributor was shot.

I agree that the Mopar box is good. That is why I said if you are going from points to an electronic ignition, this is a good set up. I could be wrong, but if you have a points car, and want to install an "orange box", doesn't it require taping into the harness and get the right plug? And the standard box is about the same price as the GM unit. The high performance is about double.

I was able to do this for $40 (not counting the distributor) and got all the parts new. I guess I'm saying this isn't necessarily superior, but a viable alternative.

To each his own.

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"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

Of course it's not needed. You can also run bias-ply tires (radials aren't needed), 9" drum brakes (nothing more is needed, antique engine oil from 1967 (nothing more is needed), Fram oil filters, etc.

The Mopar points ignition works fine. The Mopar electronic ignition works better and saves you money in lower gasoline consumption and lower tune-up expense. The GM HEI improves on the Mopar system through a hotter spark and the elimination of the ballast resistor.

"improvement" is not the opposite of "need".
Why not? They work better.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Parts is parts. My barracuda is 40 years old and lots of improvements are cheaply availible that didn't exist then. I want to drive my car, not build a perfect restoration of the limits that existed in 1965.

I was just watching Dennis Gage's show on Speed this morning. He featured great looking classic cars that were driven twice a year. That sort of approach creates "hanger queens" that never are raced, driven down steep mountain roads, or taken to work. I am going to do all three of these activities with my car.

Greg

'Course we do. There's a "GM" right in your screen name!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

thundrous applause
I wanna see you using this same philosophy next time someone says "I'm going MSD"... cuz you bitch all the time about "there's no need for an MSD" ...

Viva MSD!!!!

I don't like shebbys better than Tim_K

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

If it helps you accept the concept of using GM or Fomoco parts in a Mopar, think of them as "spoils of war".

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Of course, when you get down to it, a lot of the "GM" HEI modules aren't from GM anyway.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair