HEI Distributors

[escortwgn]

I've had one of these on my bronc for over 2 years but only used it for about 6-8 months. After i replaced the engine the coil went out. I took it to a 'pro' to fix my mess, said a loose wire was the problem (front seal, carb, timing is what i took it in for). I rebuilt my holley and tried firing, i get fire out of the card, after moving the distributor it turns over and might catch but only spin maybe <100 rpms. So wondering if anyone knows about the life range of this things, or that a power surge from a failing alternator would **** these things?

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Seems to me that you have to go back to the basics.

See if you are getting fuel.

Check for spark at the plug.

 

[Redneck86]

From what i know there suppose to last just as long as any distributor, there just a diffrent style. One thing ive heard though is that some Ford engines are bad about shearing the teeth off that gear on the end of the distributor.

 

[Justshootme84]

I think Redneck is on the right track. Pull the dizzy and check the gear, be sure it's not slipping or broke off. Some brands of the Ford HEI's have a pin to hold the gear onto the dizzy's shaft, others do not. I've haven't had aproblem with my 460 HEI so far, JSM84

 

[escortwgn]

as it is now. i have installed a new hei set it as close to 10 degrees, and i killed the batt. i got it to fire the same way again. based on smell of the plugs i have fuel. but i think i killed the carb when i rebuilt it. before it ran now it doesn't. but as i turn the engine over there is hissing coming from the engine vs the normal popping and creeking from compression that i'm used to hearing. if the plugs are wrong in size could i be lossing the proper compression in the heads? i looked at the gears of the old one no damage. just the internals rubbing in an unbalanced manner.