Need some HEI Distributor knowledge!

[Paladin]

Ok guys, I'll try to make a long story short. I want to jerk the junk Load-o-matic points distributor out of the wife's 1966 mustang (250 straight 6) and replace it with an HEI Distributor! I have researched it some and am more confused now than before I started researching. So I'm asking for any advice you mechanic gurus may have on the proper way of doing this. Yeah, yeah, I know it's a Ford but it's hers not mine and I got to keep her happy, she feeds me and other stuff, and we all know if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! Any help would be greatly appreciated and I shall drink a brew in your honor!

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[jake wells]

davis unified ignition aka D.U.I. is the way to go on those. A little pricey but they are reliable.
http://performancedistributors.com/product/ford-dui-street-strip-v8-221-289-302-cid/

 

[Paladin]

Thanks, I came across those earlier and yep at 399.00 for the correct one is a bit pricey.

 

[hatzie]

DUI will work quite well.
Your other option is a Ford Duraspark out of a later rig.
HEI works quite well but Ford/AMC Duraspark and Chrysler electronic ignitions worked quite well too. The main advantage of the DUI HEI setup is it's very compact. The downside is the cost.

If you want to keep your Ford all Ford... The 78 and newer I6 with Duraspark II would be the cheaper route but it's a bunch of work and not as neat and clean as the DUI... The Duraspark II controller is the size of a paperback book and you have to find a home for it.
https://fordsix.com/archive/www.classicinlines.com/DSIIswap.html

Wiring info on the Duraspark II is here. I'd steer clear of the earlier Duraspark I.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1494413-duraspark-conversion.html


The female spark plug wire connections on the original distributor cap and coil are not doing you any favors and neither is the original coil that's running on 6v from the ballast resistor.
My AMC Eagle 258 already had Duraspark electronic ignition but still had the female plug wire connections on the coil and distributor cap and the same old low power coil that my 75 Gremlin came with. It made a huge leap forward in reliability when I updated to a modern Ford TFI Male contact coil and Male contact 1982 Ford 300 I6 Duraspark II distributor cap, adapter ring, and rotor along with 90's 4.0L Jeep plug wires. A GM small cap HEI coil would've worked as well but the Ford TFI coil bracket was available for the AMC 258.

 

[WFO]

If your distributor is good, there's also Pertronix.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pertronix-...pertronix+1261&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

 

[hatzie]

If your distributor is good, there's also Pertronix.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pertronix-1261-Ignitor-Ignition-6-cyl-Ford-Mercury-inline-6/192613883151?epid=203012593&hash=item2cd8ae9d0f:g:6FQAAOSwvx5bYKEH&_sacat=0&_nkw=pertronix+1261&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

The original 66 200 I6 Load O Matic distributor doesn't have a stellar reputation and the female cap isn't suited for higher voltage coils. Even if you go with the whole Pertornix distributor they neglected to do the easy upgrade to a male terminal cap to keep the Original Equipment Look. If you're upgrading the ignition upgrade it... most people aren't going to Pebble Beach. You want to enjoy driving your car so make it reliable.

Skipwhite sells a Ford I6 HEI distributor for a lot less than Davis. The internals are likely Chevy I6 HEI parts. The Chevy HEI from Skipwhite has a good reputation.
https://www.skipwhiteperformance.co...-170-200-250-hei-distributor-8527-blue_89756/

 

[Paladin]

Skipwhite sells a Ford I6 HEI distributor for a lot less than Davis. The internals are likely Chevy I6 HEI parts. The Chevy HEI from Skipwhite has a good reputation.
https://www.skipwhiteperformance.co...-170-200-250-hei-distributor-8527-blue_89756/

Yes, I found the HEI distributor from Skipwhite. I ordered numerous parts from him during my BBC build and even talked with him personally concerning that build. That is the route I will go. His products have always been as advertised and he will offer some tech support if needed. I want to keep it simple, not turn it into rocket surgery! Seems to be a pretty much Plug & Play HEI! Thanks for confirming what I was thinking, have that same distributor saved in my watch list. Getting ready to pull the trigger on it! Just proves Great Minds Think Alike!

 

[Paladin]

Installed the new HEI dizzy this afternoon and something must really be FUBARed because it was all so easy and simple! Scary! Went with an HEI Ignition system from CRT Performance as it was an all inclusive package with everything needed for $159.00. Now just need to hook up the bat+ plug to dizzy and tune it in! Tomorrow, too many brewskys to be doing that tonight!

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Charlie]

Installed the new HEI dizzy this afternoon and something must really be FUBARed because it was all so easy and simple! Scary! Went with an HEI Ignition system from CRT Performance as it was an all inclusive package with everything needed for $159.00. Now just need to hook up the bat+ plug to dizzy and tune it in! Tomorrow, too many brewskys to be doing that tonight!

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[bucket]

Good job, but you didn't need to stop. Sometimes, the most creative work is done when drunk, lol.

 

[Paladin]

Just an FYI, finished up the wiring and got it all tuned up! Now it sounds more like an engine rather than a sewing machine. LOL This HEI swap is the best upgrade I've made so far on her jalopy!

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Charlie]

I like the mid 60"s mustangs. Would like to have one myself!

 

[CorvairGeek]

An HEI could make an old Ford 6 nearly maintenance free for hundreds of thousands of miles