225 V6 ignition options and opinions

Bought a odd fire V6 from a member here. I would like to explore ignition options stock, HEI, Pertronics, etc. I am new to these engines and would rather get it set up once and do it right.

Thanks for your advice and opinions.

 

pertronix great upgrade and cheap,
pertronix and MSD I really like it but is a lot more expensive

Never tried HEI

I would say try and go for the HEI upgrade or pertronix. the 80 something dollars is worth it for the pertronix or go HEI. I don't know how expensive the HEI goes for or if its better than MSD and pertronixs.

 

Have the HEI and love it. There are several post's on how to install.

 

I changed out my points for pertronix. Starts a lot quicker and seems to run more smooth. I also changed out the coil for a pertronix flame thrower. If you have a delco distributor you will need to remove the distributor to access the port on the bottom to feed the wires to the coil. I'm happy with it. It's a quick install as well.

 

The only thing to make the factory HEI setup better then the pertronix is the readily available parts at almost every auto parts store out there. If you do go HEI, make sure to read up on the install. It is the only HEI GM ever made that matters just how you clock it when installing. Many master mechanics have been flustered by them not knowing they have to be clocked. As such there are some negative stories out there simply because they didn't know what they didn't know.

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks, Chuck.

Does the GM HEI unit work OK with the Offy DP manifold? Enough clearance?

There is a guy who rebuilds stock dizzys to HEI...website: http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/ Is anyone familiar with these HEI units?

Thanks again.

 

If I remember correctly those with the offenhauser manifold did have to grind the intake.

another option for the HEI is this procedure
http://web.archive.org/web/20070410023858/http://www.cjoffroad.com/writeup.asp?WU_ID=21&noAdd=1

the old Hei in the oddfire 231 are kinda hard to find in a wrecking yard but can be found at flaps for around 120$

 

I got my HEI for $25 from a junkyard back in the 90's. It's worked great since then. Be fully aware of the challenges before you start. Like grinding the intake and using a button head screw or getting room for the vacuum advance.

Very cool to see the small body HEI conversions. His web site hasn't been updated since 2008 so I would take that as a sign that he's not doing it anymore? I'd be interested in one because I haven't been able to figure out how to make room for the adjustable vacuum advance on mine.

 

I have sent an e-mail to Dave. Called the number and got voice mail. Sounds to me like he is in business in Yerrington, NV.

I THINK that rebuilding my stock dizzy with an HEI conversion is the most effective way to get HEI that fits the Offy manifold, since Offy PROBABLY designed it to fit with the factory ignition.

Mechanical or vacuum advance? Dunno.

Thanks,

Mike

 

Thanks, Chuck. Is the article on your website?

Mike

 

I had put the HEI in my 71 CJ-5 years ago. It has ran flawlessly until this year. It wouldn't start unless I put a new set of plugs in it. Once it started with the new plugs it would run for a five minutes then die again and wouldn't start. The plugs were all black. I checked the power at the input to the distributor for 12 volts, which it had. Had the module checked, it was fine. Looked inside the distributor everything looked ok. I believed I wasn't getting sufficient spark at the plugs because the HEI will firer through everything. Finally I took the distributor out and discovered that the impute tabs in the cap were corroded. I cleaned them up, the plastic connector end metal as well and it has run fine ever since. This took hours to figure out in the worst winter in 50 years and me without a garage.

 

Bruce... Noted and something to watch out for. What HEI unit did you use? Stock?

 

I bought off the internet. There was a guy in MA that rebuilt the odd fire units and may have converted even fire to odd. I stiil have the instruction sheet. I'll have to dig it out. How do I post it?

 

I found the sheets and the original web address. It will forward you to: www.crtperformance.com. They have rebuilt odd fire HEI for $209.

 

I've been running a stock Delco points type dist with the Pertronix conversion for years with no issues.
Back in the 80s & 90s I worked at a speed shop and we sold the Pertronix units....very few problems with them.

 

The HEI is fine on an Offy DP with a little grinding and a button head bolt in that corner.