Distributor difference

[JLasvegas]

whats the benifit from switching the stock Distributor to say an HEI

I believe mine is stock for a 351w 1985 5.8 engine

 

[crazyhorse85]

You should already have electronic ignition...ford's version that is...the dizzy is fine you may want to add a little hotter coil...i added an accel super coil...works great...also some better wires will work better too...such as taylor or accel and a good set of plugs motorcraft platinum or ngk's work well.... B)

 

[JLasvegas]

well after replacing my carb and switching to an edelbrock 4bbl and intake my stock dist doesnt work properly

there is no vacuum advance because I believe my old carb had everything running off it and the electric system that adjusted fuel mixture and idle

so I need to upgrade to a new dist with coil and ignition module

any ideas on a good set up

 

[Justshootme84]

The stock dizzy in your 82 is run with a separate coil and ignition module, whereas the HEI has the coil intergrated into the top of the cap. The HEI is also a simple, one-wire hook-up. I'm running an aftermarket HEI for my 460 in the 84 Bronco and absolutely love it. No ignition module to go out and no massive cluster of wiring. While DUI make a really good HEI dizzy for the 351W, it runs about $400. You can find several on ebay for under $100. I paid $59 for mine, JSM84

 

[Yardape]

I just bought an msd dizz for my 460. Its a ready to run pro billet. Doesn't need an ignition box. That's the cats ass (sorry miss kitten. Haha)

 

[Matt_V]

so the HEI setup doesn't have a vacuum advance?

 

[JLasvegas]

the distributer on my truck doesnt have one, set the timing and it idles perfect but will stall and run like crap unless I upgrade the ignition system

so today I will have to shop and buy one

this is getting expensive, had I known my distributor wouldnt work, I would have just rebuilt the 2bbl morotcraft and saved alot of money

 

[miesk5]

so the HEI setup doesn't have a vacuum advance?

Yes, here is a pic by LSATexan - it is GM HEI Distr. bought on e bay
Also, our SPONSOR, JBG has one for a 351W w/vac adv - under $110.00

Davis Unified Ignition (DUI) FAQS Source: by performancedistributors.com .. but....they'll send you a curve kit so that you, the customer, can figure out your own advance curve BUT.. over $350.00!!!!

DUI Overview, Bronco (part ad) Source: by Centech Wiring centechwire.com w/vac adv.

Installation in a 460 Source: by fordmuscle.com just for how it looks and wiring info

Installation in a 351W in 63 F100 Source: by Jimmy C just for how it looks and wiring info

 

[Justshootme84]

You can get the HEI dizzy with or without vacuum advance, mine has it. Just need a vacuum source from the intake manifold. Without it, you would use a dizzy with mechanical or magnetic advace inside the cap. I thikn you need some kind of timing advance as the motor RPM's increase and fuel demand goes up. Great info, Miesk5.

 

[Bronco_Willis]

I did a EFI 302 to a Carb 351 swap recently. I was having issues as well. I put on an Edelbrock carb and was having the same problems. When I went to a full MSD ignition set up and adjusted the timing over and over a few times everything finally clicked and worked properly