pertronix vs. hei distributer

well what are the advantages to either set up?
if i went with a pertronix and a hotter coil would that have the same performance as an hei dist.?

 

Another option would be a MSD box and the original points distributor. I think this would give you a significant performance upgrade and improve reliability. Using the points distributor to trigger the ignition box reduces the current through the points to almost nothing - extending the life of the points indefinitely. The fiber block on the points will still wear, so you'd have to adjust the dwell occasionally, but the contacts themselves should have an indefinite life.

The main upside to the HEI over Pertronix, IMO, is the increase in the size of the distributor cap. When you add a hot coil and/or CDI box, you increase the spark voltage. The larger cap can handle this spark voltage better than the smaller cap. Personally I'd rather have the big cap and external module and electronic triggering, but there's no easy option to get this kind of a setup.

 

Another consideration is availability. Although Pertronix has become readily available in most areas, every FLAPS on the planet should have hei parts on the shelf. I am a Chevy guy though and I put hei dist. in everything.

 

does the petronix require a full 12v?
wouldn’t you also need a ballast resistor with the points then?

 

How much does it usually cost for new hei parts?

 

I put one together @ cost for ~$150
reman distrib, cap, coil, rotor, dust cover and pigtail.

 

Yes, you're right. Clearly.

 

If you can get a even fire one,(78-83) it is a very simple process to convert it over. New pickup and cap, covered many times on many sites. Pickup about $15, cap about $20 and the cost of the dist. Or find a complete one out of a 75-77 odd-fire 231. They still sell complete reman units also as mentioned above. The default when buying parts is the 75 Buick Appolo with a odd-fire 231. Also to note that no grinding is neccessary when using a aftermarket aluminum intake and a button-head bolt.

 

Because when I replaced my crappy prestolite distributor, no one one could tel me squat about the HEI and no one knew anything about pertronixs. My dual point Mallory was $119 and my MSD back then was $89. The factory distributors may be prone to a lot of wear and maintenance but my dual point has not been messed with in 14 almost 15 years years now. I have a Delco with a burnt Pertonixs and intend some day to replace the unit but for now my points and MSD work fine.

 

Somewhere around 16-18k miles. My points don't resemble stock points in any way and are quite a bit more robust.

 

I've been tinkering with jeeps and hot rods for well over 40 plus years.
I swapped to HEI a few times on a few builds, but trying to keep my jeep simple and easy to fix when (F.O.R.D.) has always been the issue.
I'm a firm believer in points and a Excell coil if I wanna a hotter spark. (my 2 boys call me "old school", but hell it's worked well for 100 years like that).
My jeep fires as easy and runs with the stock coil and points as it does with the excell coil, yeah once a year I change them, maybe check the dwell a few times, but I've never had REAL problems witha point set up, (that I dind't cause).
(I had to swap out the coil on my '61 CJ5 after I dropped it and made a good dent in the side). (I keep my coils away from the engine heat when I mount them)
My last jeep buold before trhis one, (a small block Chevy powered CJ7), I really could not tell the difference when I swapped out to a HEI. (short of a lighter wallet)
It still fired the same, ran the same, seat of the pants same power, etc. (I guess)
I'm SURE it was a happier engine with more powerful spark, took less time to fire in the cold, damp days.
I guess it IS personal perfernce, but replacement parts availabilty and more imporrtanto-cost would be my consideration.
But, that just me...........
Joe
It's a jeep, it's supposed to be simple.