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One more HEI thread

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by homersdog, Dec 30, 2014.

  1. Dec 30, 2014
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    My wife bought me an H.E.I. distributor for Christmas. My employer has a "use it or lose it" vacation policy, so I have been at home working on installing it in my 71. I've heard the HEI would make a big difference from the folks here on ecj5 and other places, but I never imagined how much!! It is like a completely different engine. Finally my Dauntless never daunts!!! I got it installed, opened the plugs up to about .040". When I turned it over it started right up, surprised me at how quick it caught. It required no choke from a cold start-about 35 f here this morning. I dialed the RPM back to 700, and found the timing seems to work best at 12 to 13 degrees. I am at about 750' above sea level.

    I just took it around the neighborhood this morning and it runs like a sports car. No stumbling or spitting.

    Anyway I just wanted to sound off that so far I have found HEI to be all it is claimed to be. I Love my wife!
     
  2. Dec 30, 2014
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    It's great to hear your results.

    "One more HEI thread" creates "One more HEI question(s)"...

    I have a '71 and would like to do this, can you please provide more details? Brand etc.

    Thanks
     
  3. Dec 30, 2014
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    Mine was a pre-built unit from ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-225-23...Distributor-Buick-only-no-wires-/370935091730

    It is not the cheapest route, but it saved me the time of hunting down the parts. You can get the same thing from http://www.crtperformance.com/crt/distributor/hei.html

    I think quadratec also carries a line of them. You can piece it together using parts from a 76 Buick skylark or other GM cars that used the 231 odd fire Buick. Those are available through the salvage yard network or rockauto etc.
    https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1023174,parttype,7108
    Just make sure you are getting oddfire parts. There are a lot of write-ups on our early cj5 site.

    Also check out the write-up from the Jeepster folks: http://www.jeepster.org/swchapter/hei-2.html . He explains the idea and changeover process very thoroughly.

    The hardest part is grinding off a little of the intake manifold to give the distributor body clearance. I also had to remove one the four distributor cap retaining clips, but that is not unusual from what I've read. It stays on fine with just 3.

    This is one of the easiest and best bang-for-the-buck upgrades i think I've ever done on my 71, and i've had it since 1978. Wish I had done it sooner.

    Hope this helps.
     
  4. Dec 30, 2014
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Yes...Thank you! For time sake I'll probably go the eBay route.
     
  5. Dec 30, 2014
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I did the rock auto way. Goes right in and is relatively inexpensive.
     
  6. Jan 5, 2015
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
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    1,035
    There's also the DUI unit. More $ and more bling. Possibly more spark also but I wouldn't know.

    My junkyard HEI has been very good.
     
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