What are the wires on a HEI distributor?
There are two wires in the plug: the hot wire and the tachometer wire. If you are updating from an old distributor, splice the old distributor hot wire to the hot wire of the HEI primary plug. Splice the tachometer gauge wire if so equipped, into the tachometer wire on the HEI primary plug.
What is HEI wire?
HEI stands for “High Energy Ignition” or, Electronic Ignition. This design has the ignition coil mounted internally on the top of the distributor cap, below the spark plug wires. This design is also commonly supplied by most of the more popular aftermarket performance ignition companies.
Can I convert my distributor to HEI?
When converting from a points-style distributor to an HEI unit on most 1970-and-earlier vehicles, it’s a good idea to run a new 12-gauge wire from the BAT terminal in the HEI distributor cap, then splice into the ignition key on the main feed wire (usually the pink one). Remember to also install new HEI plug wires.
Do I need a coil with HEI distributor?
Most—but not all—HEI systems have the ignition coil mounted in the distributor cap. A control module and magnetic pickup are mounted in the distributor, in place of a conventional ignition system’s breaker points and condenser.
Are HEI plug wires different?
The GM HEI distributors, which mostly showed up starting in 1975, use a male terminal, size and shape like the terminal on a spark plug. So, there’s a big difference, and the HEI does take special wires. The true difference between these sets of plug wires lay in the resistance of the wires.
What’s better HEI or points?
“We recommend converting to an electronic ignition on a musclecar engine over a point-type ignition system for several reasons. Also, HEIs allow full alternator voltage to go through the ignition system, which with our 50,000-volt coil allows larger plug gaps for better combustion and more power.
When did the GM HEI ignition distributor come out?
Great Performance, Affordable Cost! GM’s high energy ignition (HEI) distributor has been used as an affordable, easy to install performance distributor since its introduction in the mid 70s. It should come as no surprise being one of the most popular options among modern rodders and race enthusiasts to this day.
What are the colors of the HEI coils?
On a factory HEI, the primary coil leads will either be white and red, or yellow and red. The colors of the leads determine the direction the coil is wound, which determines its polarity.
Which is the heart of a HEI ignition system?
HEI ignition systems are very dependable and offer great performance on a number of applications. The heart of any ignition system is the coil, battery voltage is supplied on the positive side, while the negative side is repeatedly pulsed to ground.