[Entropy11]

Basically what the title says... looking for a decent HEI to use in my ‘68 GTO driver. It doesn’t have to hide the fact that it’s a HEI to look “‘68ish” (had bad luck with Pertronix on other cars), and it also doesn’t have to be the utmost in performance. I hate to say or imply budget because I’d just like something dependable.

I have one of those generic red caps that the previous owner never knew how to wire up and a quality set of wires I purchased. Had my last engine running fine with it. Is it worth stepping up to something like a DUI for a quality piece? Seems like there aren’t many middle of the road options. Basically generic sub-$100 then they step right up to $300ish.

Thanks

[Navy Horn 16]

The quality of a DUI is evident as soon as you take it out of the box. I highly recommend them. Their plug wires are very good as well.

[ta man]

Find a stock GM HEI.

[coonhunter70]

Original GM rebuilt and recurved by somebody that knows what theyre doing or DUI

[68lemans462]

Originally Posted by ta man

Find a stock GM HEI.

Indeed... Some good advice right there!

[ta man]

Originally Posted by 68lemans462

Indeed... Some good advice right there!

I've ran a GM HEI for years..the only time I had a failure was when I swapped in a Summit HEI..and the weight pins all came loose plus some other issues.

[MarkS57]

Originally Posted by ta man

Find a stock GM HEI.

Basically what I did. Found a low mile HEI, cleaned it up, re-fitted it with an NOS GM Delco module & coil. Also, at the same time I converted to an SI alternator and bought a conversion engine harness from M&H (also available from our sponsor for the same price); hook up was a cinch and it's rock solid. There has been some chatter regarding the original mechanical external voltage regulators and HEI failures so there in lies the reason for the complete package; true or not, it seemed a good idea anyway.

[68lemans462]

Originally Posted by ta man

I've ran a GM HEI for years..the only time I had a failure was when I swapped in a Summit HEI..and the weight pins all came loose plus some other issues.

I've been running an OEM unit for 20+ years. I got it for $15, then sent it to SUNTUNED. He rebuilt/curved it. Quick service and reasonable price. . I ended up adding a mechanical stop to limit mech advance to 18dgs 2 years ago... Works like a charm.

[JLMounce]

If you don't mind spending some money, I'd check out the HEI version of the Progression Ignition. Once setup, it can be controlled completely by your smartphone via an app and bluetooth. Add/remove mechanical and vacuum advance whenever or wherever the engine wants it.

the DUI stuff I have seen and I've never heard a bad thing about them either.

And a FWIW, I have been running a $75.00 ebay HEI in my bird for over 5 years and about 13,000 miles. It has exactly 20 degrees of advance with the weights as delivered and use a crane vacuum advance and spring kit I have all my dialed in timing at about 2900 rpm. It has worked flawlessly for me in that time and the only reason I'm currently changing it out is for timing control through my FiTech. I'll keep it on hand as a just in case back-up.

[Entropy11]

Awesome info guys. Thanks to all of you.

I did the same thing on my ‘69 Buick 350. Ran a ‘78 big body car HEI. Picked up a decent reman one and sourced out a new GM cap/coil/cover. Not sure why I didn’t think of that this time. What was the first year for the Pontiac HEI? Any year to look for or avoid? I think with my Buick I had to make sure it was a 4 pin and not a 7 pin?

Thank you,
Dennis

[77 TRASHCAN]

You are not likely to run into anything other than a 4 pin on a Pontiac engine. Some of the lateest 265/301 distributors MAY have something other than a 4 pin module, BUT I am not an expert. The 265/301 distributors will work, although need a re-curve worse than any "REAL" Pontiac distributor.

IF, you do find a non 4 pin distributor, they CAN be converted to 4 pin. You will need a 4 pin magnetic pickup, and a 4 pin harness that goes to the cap. Don't forget the sheet metal ground strap. When doing this, it leaves a hole in the base of the cap mounting area. It's no big deal, dab some JB Weld in it, and sand it smooth, so the cap seals...

[400 Lemans]

https://frankspontiacparts.com/engin...ngineparts.htm Frank has a few of them.

[OCMDGTO]

X10 on the DUI, definitely a quality piece. Before that I used a $150 Summit that worked great for ten years/20k+ miles and worked fine when I swapped it

[PDC]

I’ve got a pair of DUIs that have performed flawlessly for years. And they offer a ‘stealth’ option which is a plain black cap and no logo on the coil.
I have found that Taylor’s pre-assembled Big Block wire sets loom perfectly on a Pontiac block. I’m using the Thundervolt 10 mm sets on both cars, but they offer the TV (40 ohms resistance) in a black 8mm wire the fits factory plug wire looms and practically hides in plain sight.

[vertigto]

Originally Posted by PDC

I’ve got a pair of DUIs that have performed flawlessly for years. And they offer a ‘stealth’ option which is a plain black cap and no logo on the coil.
I have found that Taylor’s pre-assembled Big Block wire sets loom perfectly on a Pontiac block. I’m using the Thundervolt 10 mm sets on both cars, but they offer the TV (40 ohms resistance) in a black 8mm wire the fits factory plug wire looms and practically hides in plain sight.

Thanks for the information...perfect timing for me. Was considering a Pertronix Flamethrower III HEI, but for a couple bucks more, the DUI unit is custom tuned to the application.

Also was going to start a thread about pre-assembled performance wire sets for the 400 in my '70 GTO, but looks like you've figured that out for me too!

So...are these the ones you are talking about?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tay-98002

Looks like these are the 8.2 mm for Pontiac 400s?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/t...-size/6-6l-400

[PDC]

Try Part #98032 - that set has the 135* boots which works better on Pontiac heads than the 90* boots - but the lengths work really well on a Pontiac block.
Part #86072 should be the same thing (Big Block - HEI - 135* boots) in the more stock looking 8.2 mm wire.

[PDC]

Here are a few pics of how they routed over the valve covers on my car

[Chris65LeMans]

I’m very happy with my DUI. As a bonus - call ‘em in Memphis to order it direct. Provide your info to them, and they’ll curve it for you. Just open the box and pop it in.

[PDC]

Big fan of the quality from DUI - But - FWIW, they will likely suggest 24* all in at 3k (with 12* base) for practically any Pontiac displacement - compression - cam combo. My builder wanted to see 20* all in by 2500 with 14* base, and the folks at DUI were more than happy to oblige. After cam break-in, we checked timing and it was dead-on 20* mechanical at 2500.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

IF, you do find a non 4 pin distributor, they CAN be converted to 4 pin. You will need a 4 pin magnetic pickup, and a 4 pin harness that goes to the cap. Don't forget the sheet metal ground strap. When doing this, it leaves a hole in the base of the cap mounting area. It's no big deal, dab some JB Weld in it, and sand it smooth, so the cap seals...

A 5-pin distributor can be converted as you describe, adding the 4-pin module, of course. The 5-pin units still have centrifugal and vacuum advance provisions.

A 7-pin distributor ('81) will have no centrifugal or vacuum advance, you'll have to do all the above, plus replace the mainshaft to get centrifugal. I can't remember what it takes to add the vacuum advance; perhaps just the vacuum canister along with the replacement pickup coil.