HEI UPGRADE

Modified FSJ Tech Area
Post Reply

Topic author
soonerck
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2018 10:48 am
Contact:

HEI UPGRADE

Post by soonerck »

I know the procedure is pretty straight forward but I was looking for a write up on upgrading my 89 Wag with 360. I've searched but come up empty. Is there a step by step write up anywhere on here?
User avatar

tgreese
Posts: 7118
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: HEI UPGRADE

Post by tgreese »

Why do yo want the HEI? It functions the same electrically as the factory Motorcraft Duraspark distributor. The GM HEI module works with the Motorcraft distributor - search for "stealth HEI." The Dursapark has an upgrade path with a big cap and HEI-style wires, and a hot coil, often called the "TFI upgrade." There are plenty of stories of aftermarket HEI distributors destroying the cam gear in the engines they are installed in - there is some risk to swapping the distributor without using a matching gears. Do your homework ... plenty to read about this if you search.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: HEI UPGRADE

Post by Stuka »

The Duraspark system in an '89 is a good system. No reason to switch to HEI. Most that switch to HEI have the rather bad Prestolite ignition from the mid 70's, or an 80's 258 with the computer controlled carb/timing.

Just do a TFI upgrade and you will be set. You can buy a complete TFI kit from CRT Performance: https://crtperformance.com/shop?olsPage ... box-gold-6
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

derf
Posts: 1403
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:10 am
Location: Littleton, CO
Contact:

Re: HEI UPGRADE

Post by derf »

soonerck wrote:I know the procedure is pretty straight forward but I was looking for a write up on upgrading my 89 Wag with 360. I've searched but come up empty. Is there a step by step write up anywhere on here?
There really isn't much to write up. You buy the AMC compatible HEI distributor and install it:
  1. Take the cap off the distributor before you pull it out of the engine. Note the direction the rotor is facing and where #1 cylinder is.
  2. Pull the distributor, coil, and ignition box.
  3. Pull the distributor gear off the original distributor. You only need to drive out the pin holding it on.
  4. Put the gear on the new HEI distributor. There is a chance that the distributor shaft hole won't line up with the gear as there are two configurations. If this is the case, you either back up now or you look into getting a good quality new matched set of distributor gears that involves tearing apart most of the front of the engine to swap out the cam gear. Because you always want to keep a cam and distributor gear together. If you don't, it will fail very quickly.
  5. Put the new distributor in, getting the rotor to line up where it was before.
  6. Get the position of the #1 cylinder approximately where it was on the old distributor and clamp it down.
  7. Find a hot-in-start-and-run wire to power the distributor.
  8. Attach the vacuum line.
  9. Install the new plug wires. You'll need different ends on the distributor side for them to fit. But use straight boots on the spark plug side. Almost no one makes pre-cut wires for the AMC so you'll probably have to use a universal kit of some kind and build your own.
  10. Swap out the plugs to a higher heat range plug. Make sure they are gapped properly to 0.045. Champion RN12YC are a good base reference to use when choosing a compatible plug.
  11. Start the engine and make sure it runs.
  12. Get a vacuum gauge and use it to properly set the timing for the engine.
  13. Double check everything to make sure it's all back together right and everything is tightened down where it needs to be.
  14. Enjoy

However, I'll also chime in with "TFI is an easier upgrade". It doesn't require pulling the distributor and it's probably cheaper, especially if you grab parts from the local parts store. I did a write up with all of the parts you need to buy here: http://www.grimmjeeper.com/TruckNorris/tfi.html
User avatar

lkmarsh
Posts: 211
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:35 pm
Location: Modesto CA

Re: HEI UPGRADE

Post by lkmarsh »

One of the problems with HEI is that aftermarket modules are not up to oem quality. To put it mildly.
If you can find a source for reliable modules, HEI works. Big If.
Lyle
69 1414x Buick350/Th400/D20
PDB, HEI, relays, rallyes, rhino, rust...
73 Wagoneer parts donor

will e
Posts: 5097
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am

Re: HEI UPGRADE

Post by will e »

I carry a spare DR100 module just in case. I had one die and that was a tow home. So I carry the spare.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge
Post Reply