Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

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19ford71
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Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by 19ford71 »

I was browsing for electronic ignition upgrades for my '69 F100 with a 302 and ran across this - http://m.eBay.com/itm/301802103239 . The truck will not get a ton of use or go far from home. Just curious if anyone has tried something like this. Thanks!
1971 F-250 360 ci automatic trans - sold
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by Ranchero50 »

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19ford71
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by 19ford71 »

I read through that post also. It was somewhat helpful but I'm looking for people that actually used a cheap hei or know some one who did. I searched the internet and it seemed like people that actually bought them, thought they were OK. A few had issues. Most seemed to have never used one but had a lot of opinions. Since you guys are the bumpside gurus, I hoped someone could chime in with first hand experience. Thanks again!
1971 F-250 360 ci automatic trans - sold
Currently working on a 1969 F100
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sargentrs
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by sargentrs »

I swapped over to the Ford Duraspark system in my '64 Fairlane. Bought a new WPS distributor and ignition box from Rockauto.com. Distributor was $45, a perfect fit and worked great from the first turn of the key. Been running daily for 5 months now without any problems. I would buy it again if I need it.
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1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by 71PA_Highboy »

I have one... and I can't use a radio in the truck because of all the ignition noise.

I am running it off the harness pigtail that was for the stop solenoid, so there is no inherent RF choke on the circuit.

Other than that it seems to work great.

I will probably move to a duraspark this summer so I can have some tunes again.
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by Buckin1 »

Just put one in that I bought from Amazon for like $80.00. HAd to buy the one conecter [hot and tac wires]. Runs like a charm. Pulled outa dura spark setup someone else put in. Wired the hot wire right to the ignition switch. Had to dent stock air cleaner slightly to clear
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by colnago »

No experience, but I bought one for an FE rebuild. Finally decided to go with a Duraspark setup. So, I have an HEI distributor for sale ...

I did like the idea of a single-wire setup. Clean! My two concerns:

1. I heard it ran hot, and the electronics can poop out at any time (yes, this can happen with any option).

2. The peg holding the gear on the shaft would work its way out, and the gear would fall off (again, this could happen with any distributor, but it was a concern with the Chinese HEI option).

Just my two cents,

Joseph
"Sugar", my 1967 Ford F250 2WD Camper Special, 352FE, Ford iron "T" Intake with 1405 Edelbrock, Duraspark II Ignition, C6 transmission, front disc brake conversion.
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by WhitsEnd »

Go to the FORDFE forum and look up a guy named Faron Rhodes. He sells a modern drop-in Duraspark style distributor.

In my opinion, nothing looks worse on a Ford than a GM style dizzy.
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Re: Any experience with cheap eBay hei distributors?

Post by BobbyFord »

If you have a stock daily driver or weekend driver anything beyond a Pertronix is a waste of money. JMO.
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