Re: HEI Ignition Conversion
The kit for mine included a replacement breaker plate with the electronic ignition attached, a new rotor, and a magnet sleeve that the rotor sits in. I also opted for a new coil as my original is nearly 30 years old and was very weak. The new ignition has the capability to fire 40k volts. Installation is easy now that I have it figured out. The conversion essentially involves- remove cap, remove breaker plate with points still attached, drop conversion kit in per marks on plate, install new wire grommet in the distributor and connect the new 2 wire ignition to the coil. If you have a resistance wire like I do, you will want to bypass it, but you will have to do that for the HEI anyways. Took about 45 minutes to install because my coil is a pain to get off. I'm happy so far. Total cost was: Ignitor II module -$100, Flamethrower epoxy coil -$40, free shipping at
www.vintagperformance.com . Carl was very helpful in selecting what I wanted and needed. You can get a more basic conversion for $70. The big difference is the II is a little more intelligent. It adapts the dwell to current needs and also has a power disconnect to keep from frying anything if you accidentally leave the key on. Sierra/Aqua Power also markets a kit that is carried through many online e-tailers and I think I have seen some in the Marine Mega-Mall here. From the looks of them, I think they are rebadged Pertronix kits, but that is a guess on my part. I believe the Pertronix will save you some cash and get you what you are looking for over the HEI. <br /><br />Pertronix is very helpful in selecting the right kit and helping if you have problems installing it. Their number is - PerTronix Tech Dept. at 1-800-827-3758 if you want to call them with questions, give them your distro info and they will give you the part number to order. You can also shoot Carl at VP an e-mail from his website.<br /><br />My 302 purrs like a kitten now at the idle RPM it should. That didn't happen with the old points for some reason. I haven't tested her on the lake yet, but hope to Saturday.