distributor questions?????????

This being a Ford site has nothing to do with me being against the design with a GM product. I'm saying it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the flaws in the HEI design.

 

Yeah that's not fair. It's not even a GM product just the design. I'm sure if ford made square wheels everyone would switch to GM wheels. My last maverick had chevy pistons and valves and a Chrysler ignition module. That huge bulky GM type distributor is just rediculous especially considering the disadvantages mentioned. Like someone else pointed out, if it were that great everyone would be using them.

 

I'm biased...but I am a Ford guy, even if I've owned a few GMC's and a Dodge..Plus they look ugly.....and count me in with the ignorant!!

 

LOL.. the reasoning of some folks is pretty funny sometimes.

Personally speaking.. I hate the look of the Fords having all those damned wires hanging off the disty and blocking the view of all the hard work I've done to make my motors look outstanding(I usually polish everything I can). Based on that .. my personal opinion is that I'd rather run an HEI hidden in the back of a Chevy.. than right out in the front of a Ford.

But on the other hand.. Ford's much nicer to work on than a Chevy's being squished in the back.

Of course Durasparks(or similar) are extremely efficient and rock solid for reliability.

But on the other foot.. Durasparks have many more chains along the path to get the same job done as the HEI stuff.. which also means more points of fialure.. and that much more undercover work to hide all the utilitarian crap.

Then we have the fact that HEI has superior packaging, simplicity, economical, parts availability, huge aftermarket support, and great performance(I know this to be fact as through the years I've had my ass handed to me by more than a few Chevs running them).

But yet on the other foot.. HEI designs are overly bulbus(block the view of all my hard work even moreso than all others), cramped, and simply don't have the flexibility or available firepower that a well matched Duraspark or similar aftermarket units provide.

and.. and.. and..

The ping-pong match could go on almost forever.

Main point is.. run what YOU want.. not what OTHERS want. Each design has it's strengths and weaknesses and none are perfect.

 

This guy will disagree with you http://www.junkyardgenius.com/ignition/jeep/HEIcompair.html I know he is talking about a Jeep ignition mod. But he has some facts to tell. No need to read #11 at the bottom of the page.

 

I agree. 'Reminds me of the "Holley versus Edelbrock" carburetor debate. Both have advantages and both have disadvantages. Both can run very good, and neither design is perfect.

 

So, first you insult everyone, then you single me out?

 

My sentiments exactly. The HEI is best used on a GM where it's hidden behind the air cleaner. Pertronix= fast easy to install and if the distributor is sloppy, just run to the local parts house and trade it in for a fresh reman unit. Two wires to hook up instead of one.

 

It's been YEARS since I ever had a Ford flood out (since i quit running points and learned not to drive into water that was too deep to start with:16suspect) And speaking of flaws, how about the screwed up ignition timing resulting from the distributor being located at the far end of the cam from the timing set ? Instead of the more accurate timing resulting from (a Ford) being located right next to the timing set?

 

The distributor in the front is not a flaw for many reasons. It's a flaw being the back. Anyone who knows anything about engines and camshafts will tell you that te stress on the cam from driving the distributor and oil pump from the BACK causes deflection/ twist in the camshaft which alters valve timing from the front of the engine to the back as well as changing the spark timing. Some savvy cam grinders will actually compensate for this by grinding the lobes differently from front back. And who really wants to be leaning all the way to the back of the engine to do any working the diatributor? Much more convenient at the front. Plus there's always the problem of the distribute getting in the way of the firewall when doing engine swaps into street rods, etc. Sorry but fords design is far superior for a number if reasons. In fact most auto manufacturers agree since the majority have designed their engines with the distributor up front.

 

So far the only flaw you've illustrated in Ford putting the distributor up front is you driving too fast into water that was too deep. That's not a flaw, that's driver error. If you flooded it out, you were driving too fast into water that was too deep. I see no flaws in the distributor being up front, matter of fact, that's right where GM moved it after 40-50 years of having it in the rear, just before they went to coil on plug ignition. Only thing flawed there was they hid it behind the water pump where it was impossible to work on without removing the water pump first.

 

I don't agree with you and I'm done with this.

You have every right to your opinion.:Handshake

 

I'm dead wrong ? At least I've got sense enough not to drive into deep water. And what was this about the ignition control module being under the seat ? What truck was that on ? I've had many Fords and I don't recall them ever having the ignition box under the seat. You sure that wasn't the power seat motor ?