Fwd: [AT] conventional or electronic ignition

[Phil Auten]

Ralph,
You should be able to find a GM HEI distributor assembly at a 
wrecking yard that will be a direct bolt in replacement
for your current distributor. Just be sure to get the connector from 
the new distributor so you can feed the 12V power
to it. The only problem with the GM HEI that I am aware of is that 
there is no strain relief on the two wires coming out
of the pickup coil that go to the ignition module. As the vacuum 
advance moves the mounting plate back and forth,
these wires flex right at the body of the coil and eventually break. 
The fix is to hold them away from the outer body of
the distributor with a blob of red high temp RTV silicone rubber. 
This solves the weak point in the system and makes
a very reliable distributor that is even good for a mild high 
performance engine. I don't think that you'll be running that
pickup at the drag strip, so you should be good to go, no pun  intended. :o)

Phil

>From: Ralph Goff <alfg at sasktel.net>
>To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>Subject: [AT] conventional or electronic ignition
>
>
>Heres a question that may have been asked before but it has only 
>become of interest to me lately.
>I know some of you have converted your old tractors to electronic 
>ignition and I'm considering the same on my daily driver 71 Chev 
>pickup with the 250 six cylinder engine.
>After paying close to $40 for a new set of points and condensor last 
>week I'm wondering if the electronic conversion is a big saving long 
>term. I can get a Crane conversion kit for about $80 (the price of 2 
>sets of points and condensor). It just replaces the internal parts 
>and uses the existing distributor housing, no external changes. I'm 
>wondering how the lifespan and reliability of this type electronic 
>ignition is.
>What I do like about the old type points is it does give me some 
>warning when it needs replacing and has never left me stranded 
>whereas I've heard that when the newer electronic ignition fails it 
>happens without warning and your left walking.
>Any opinions... experiences?
>
>Ralph in Sask.
>http://lgoff.sasktelwebsite.net/