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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

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    4/29/2014 3:44 PM  #1

    Toploader
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    Registered: 4/15/2013
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    Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    I have a 65 Mustang Coupe with a 289 and a 4 speed.

    It has had the pertronix set up for some time and while these are good, I recently saw some HEI set ups going pretty cheap on ebay.

    What do you guys think of these? Are they easy to install? Thanks.

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
     

    4/29/2014 4:28 PM  #2

    Hornman
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    From: Mansfield, Texas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    The HEI is a good distributor, pretty easy to install. May interfere with your air cleaner.

     

    4/29/2014 4:36 PM  #3

    Alan
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    From: Axtell KS
    Registered: 4/03/2013
    Posts: 483

    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    I have one on my 67. No troubles with it at all, though you will either need an offset air cleaner or a small one. I have a 12" on mine to clear.

    67 Coupe, 5.0 EEC IV Fuel injected. T5, 3:70 rear
     

    4/29/2014 5:17 PM  #4

    hmartin025
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    Just use a Ford duraspark system. Looks correct, works perfect on my 65
    Very reasonable at the wrecking yard....
    Howard

     

    4/29/2014 7:07 PM  #5

    boomyal
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    From: Vancouver, Washington
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    hmartin025 wrote:

    Just use a Ford duraspark system. Looks correct, works perfect on my 65
    Very reasonable at the wrecking yard....
    Howard

    What years and models can you get this from?  Also, do you need anything more than the distributor itself?  Anything after the ? mid 80's would have a steel gear on it.  It would chew up the iron camshaft gear on a hydraulic flat tappet motor.(302 or pre 5.0)
     

     

    4/29/2014 7:30 PM  #6

    Nasty65
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    Registered: 4/21/2013
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    If it has a pertronix that is working, why change it, highly doubt it would gain you anything worth offsetting the cost to swap.

     

    4/29/2014 7:51 PM  #7

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    That Chevy EFI distributor looks way out of place on your Ford and will definitely keep you from installing any kind of decent air cleaner.  They are all made in China.  Ford Duraspark or even your Pertronix is probably better.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/29/2014 8:05 PM  #8

    GPatrick
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    I have HEI distributor that came with the crate motor I acquired from a failed restoration.  Free to a good home if you pay shipping - it does need a rotor and has a steel gear - send me a PM if interested.

     

    4/29/2014 10:03 PM  #9

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    Duraspark from 75-77 Maverick works well.  Advise putting in lighter advance springs. Need Duraspark II module with blue strain relief.  See my web site for easy wiring diagram.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/30/2014 5:02 AM  #10

    Toploader
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    Thanks for the feedback guys! I have valued your opinions. I will probably just stay with the Pertronix for now and maybe go with the Duraspark set up at a later date (if they are still easy to come by).

    Thanks and thanks also for the offer of the free unit GPatrick.

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/30/2014 8:44 AM  #11

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    That free offer pretty much tells you what it is worth!

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/30/2014 8:57 AM  #12

    GPatrick
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    Pretty bad when you can't give one away!  I had my old Mallory dual point re-curved and fit with Pertronix. The Mallory looks good and is setup just right for my motor (or engine).

     

    4/30/2014 3:29 PM  #13

    jerseyjoe
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    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    MustangSteve wrote:

    That Chevy EFI distributor looks way out of place on your Ford and will definitely keep you from installing any kind of decent air cleaner.  They are all made in China.  Ford Duraspark or even your Pertronix is probably better.

    +2 on what Steve said ...you may also have a clearance problem...I did with a HEI on my Cleveland with  Edelbrock manifold... went to a stock dizzy with Pertronix....jj 

    "Never put a question mark where God put a period "  Richard Petty
     

    5/01/2014 7:55 AM  #14

    Michael H.
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    From: Laurel, MS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Pertronix Ignition - Considering a HEI Distributor

    MustangSteve wrote:

    That Chevy EFI distributor looks way out of place on your Ford...

    I saw one at a car show on a 302 in a 66 mustang... It really is  very weird looking on a Ford.

     

     

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