After left being stranded on the road for a second time in as many years - due to a failed ignition control module, I am seriously considering switching back to the tried and tested Accel dual point distributor with perhaps an MSD 6AL box. Thoughts or other ideas? THX.
Ditching my HEI ignition??? Thoughts?
Flipper
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I think I have 1000+/- miles on my DUI CrossFire, no issues.
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3,922 Posts
Is Davey Ray back on the Site....or is he still stuck in Time Out?
I have the GM Performance HEI (Proform?) in two of my vehicles, modified as described by Dave Ray - thousands of miles, no issue. On my 64 C10, where the distributor is extremely tight to the firewall, I gave up on the large body HEI and bought an MSD small body HEI. It has proven trouble free as well.
I had MSD 6AL in my Chevelle, and blew two of the mega-$$$ control boxes. No bueno. HEI is really the only way I'll go any more.
I had MSD 6AL in my Chevelle, and blew two of the mega-$$$ control boxes. No bueno. HEI is really the only way I'll go any more.
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3,424 Posts
I don’t know about that. I think electrical failures are usally caused by improper wiring and grounds. Even HEI failures. I have been using MSD 35 years and never had a failure. My 55 Chevy has the MSD 6 box, coil, distributor and cap that I put on it in 1999. My Chevelle racecar had the BTM 6 setup for 15 years. Blown BBC that started at the hit of the key after sitting all winter. No half ass wiring goes along way for reliability.
My current build I’m using a Progression setup because I like the on the fly tunability and security features. If it doesn’t pan out I have a complete MSD setup that came with my car that I’ll throw on and forget about it.
I love my good old points distributor. I bought a Mallory Unilite once, and saw no improvement, so I put the points dizzy back in, and have no plans to switching back out. My points distributor has never stranded me.... I use the Standard Blue Streak points and condenser.
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3,424 Posts
When I got my first Unilite in the 70s I said I will never adjust points again and haven’t. It’s just a little too antiquated for me but the simplicity is undeniable.
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1,946 Posts
from what I've seen the older MSD boxes are a lot more reliable then the new stuff,but I never had one.
I had bad luck with a summit brand HEI about 20 years ago. Had it for about a week. Hit 6 grand on the tac and the dam thing exploded. The pins that hold the weights gave way and sent them right through the cap. Summit refunded my money and I bought a Pertronix. Still works to this day.
I am using Progression Ignition distributor for one year / 5000 miles and I couldn't be happier.This seems cool, but I haven't used one and don't really know anything about them. Just seems pretty cool
Progression Ignition
Fully electronic timing control. Tuned with your smartphone or tablet. Wireless Bluetooth connectionprogressionignition.com
You can change the timing tables on the fly any time, in any range.
I have stored different tables in my mobile phone for different qualities of gas, just one click and go. No more trying with springs, weights and bushings. It has an adjustable rev limiter and an immobiliser function as well.
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18,738 Posts
25 years with one cap go back is pretty damned good in my book.
Flipper, I will say this, that grease is UBER important. When I ran the HEI module backup, the plate it is mounted on got WICKED hot. Burned the crap out of my finger. So I know how they fail now! Think the conductive grease is key to avoiding that.
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529 Posts
Appreciate all of the responses. Have decided to go the points route since I already have the distributor and CD box taken from my Nova prior to selling it. I'll keep the Accel Hei distributor, and if I ever decide to go back to it, I'll make sure to get a more reliable (hopefully) ignition module. The idea of having my car shutting down again with no warning and getting towed again would just suck big time. THX again...
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1,794 Posts
I've been running my 6AL since 1994 in various cars. Never a problem. When the Duraspark in the Bronco crapped out a few years ago, I found an "NOS" 6AL for it. The older ones have "made in USA" on the back. I wouldn't trust one made anywhere else.
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1,388 Posts
I switched my distributors back to points and condensers. I had issues with my 70 that just quit on the way home one night with the HEI. I just have an extra set of points and condensor in the glovebox with a screwdriver and hex wrench. Now my factory tach works fine again.
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7,406 Posts
Are you sure about that statement? I have a 6A on one of my cars that I put on in 1979. I think that's pretty reliable
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I would agree with you there. IF, you can find an older MSD box. I don't trust the "made in China" version. I think this is where the MSD is getting it's bad reputation.Are you sure about that statement? I have a 6A on one of my cars that I put on in 1979. I think that's pretty reliable
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18,738 Posts
typical no data opinion maybe? Gosh is this politics now? My MSD 6AL did crap out after 12 years, lost a Cap. Dave Ray thought it was due to a crappy coil. Maybe. sent it to TX and they sent it back mint.Are you sure about that statement? I have a 6A on one of my cars that I put on in 1979. I think that's pretty reliable
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