HEI distributor on 400 big block in 1974 Dodge Dart Sport

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daniel_depetro

daniel_depetro

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Everyone says the HEI distributors are very large and a tight fit. I would like to go this route so I was wondering if everything will clear ok? What would it be tight on/around?
 
Joe where did your post go?...

From pictures I have seen, my guess is the MSD and HEI units are pretty close to the same size.

What is the disty close to? The hood, radiator, head???
 
I wondered if the small blocks were the ones with the troubles as there are tight to the firewall...To me the big blocks look so open on the front, but I have never tried to stuff one in an A-body before either...

Anyone else on this matter?
 
I really like the factory distributor recurved, with the HEI upgrade really woke up my engine I like it better then the mopar upgaded modules
 
Ebay????
You better hope it works, No Returns No Refunds $184 plus shipping for a unknown?

The complete FBO 5 piece A688 Kit - Cap- Rotor-ECU-Coil-Ballast is $129.00

6 USA Dealers, 1 in England, 1 in Holland and 1 in Estonia

2 Year warranty and Tech support
 
It is brand new, it better work flawlessly. It was also $184.00 shipped to my door. The place says each unit is tested on a sunnen distributor machine before they are shipped.

The FBO kit would still leave me without a distributor.

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i was just thinking about going with HEI for my small block too.... why? well if stranded somewhere parts to limp home are cheap and easy to find. plus it will clean up the wireing. whats it take one 12v wire and a tach wire??
 
yes the HEI will clean up your wiring + you get to throw the ballast away for good if the module goes up you can just pick anouther one up at a parts store really cheap and the mod will only cost you about $30 the only other thing you will need becides the module is a few butt connectors (or I like to solder and heat shrink them) also you could really benifeit from going with an msd blaster coil. I did the mod a few years ago 4? somthing like that and I'v never had a problem with it yet
 
abodyjoe said:
i was just thinking about going with HEI for my small block too.... why? well if stranded somewhere parts to limp home are cheap and easy to find. plus it will clean up the wireing. whats it take one 12v wire and a tach wire??
Click to expand...

That's it, but the power wire needs to be at least 12 gauge. The stock wire in the harness is too small.


Chuck
 
I got the distributor yesterday and the cap was cracked and the red wire on the harness had a slice in it (from the extremely sharp edge of the distributor). I sent the seller an e-mail and shortly thereafter received a reply stating that a new harness and cap will be sent out to me first thing Monday morning. No questions asked and without even seeing any pictures. I thought that was pretty cool this day in age.

What coil would be a good upgrade? Is there one that will fit in the stock location on the cap?

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nice to see them stand behind their product.


about the coil.. accel sells one and i thought msd did also. they both go right where the stock one goes.
 
I did some quick reseach on HEI aftermarket performance coils.


The Accel 'Super Coil' is pretty large and round so I ruled that one out, but the the MSD PN 8225 is a factory fit piece and MSD seems to have a cult like following so they are pretty easy to come by.

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When I asked the guy that I bought this distributor from he said his supplied coil is a high output part which is almost a mirror image of the MSD unit so he stated it would be a waste.

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I also asked him about the HEI module. The guy said the ones he supplies in the HEI set-ups are good for 7,000-7,500 RPMs. When I aksed him about the MSD digital HEI module (PN 83645) he said that would be a great worth-while upgrade that is far superior in quality and accuracy (up to 9,000 RPMs). They also have an built in adjustable REV-limiter and only run $85.00 shipped.

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For only $269.00 (for everything, including shipping) I have a NEW quality distributor with quality brass terminal cap & rotor, powerful 50,000+ volt coil (better windings for faster charges and longer dwell time than stock coils), and MSD digital 9,000 RPM capable module with rev limiter. Combined with the quick one wire hook up, parts store availibility, and clean installation factor I think I made the correct choice.

I'll let you guys know any updates, failures, and/or successes as they come along with this ignition set-up...

Just need to order the MSD SuperConductor 8.5mm ignition wires
 
definatley let us know how it works for ya.... best part is if it dies on you somewhere the parts for it are as close as the closest parts store.. everyone sells those parts.
 
You can get an upgrade coil from Crane, and also get the low resistance carbon button or you will melt the cap.
 
Should that low resistance carbon button be used with any aftermarket performance coil or is it just recommended with the Crane coil?
 
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