Ignition Problems HEI

[fireman24mn]

To start with I have a HEI setup even though it is a ford 302. Looks just like the Chevy style and same parts inside.

I have been trying to figure out my ignition problem.  Started at Red Wing we were driving down river and I heard what sounded like a couple back fires threw the carb. When we slowed down it would barely idle and sounded like it was running on 4 cylinders.  Messed with it a little and no change. It started up and made it all the way back to the campground with no problems cruised at 35 mph easy, but had to go pretty fast threw the no wake zone or it would die.

Changed out the ignition module and still the same. It seems like it picks all the cylinders up at higher RPM but not for sure. I pulled all the plugs on Sat and they all looked good. Checked each for spark and had spark when cranking. Bought a tester for the wires that you just hold on the wire and it seamed to have an erratic spark. I can not find a part number or brand on the distributor. I am thinking it may be one of the 50.00 ones from Ebay.  Debating to just buy a whole new distributor.

 Also earlier this year I had no spark at all and replaced the ignition module and then ran fine until now.

Thoughts?
Ideas?

Distributor brand preference? If I do replace.

[Rich_V174SS]

I've been seeing it a lot where the ignition coil is to blame. However, on one of my customer's boat it turned out to be a bad set of points and condenser. The points looked ok but I changed the condenser and it ran fine after that. I'm assuming the HEI system doesn't use points.

[fireman24mn]

correct no points or condenser it is an electronic ignition.

[Jason]

Well, those are cheap distributors on ebay. Guess you could just buy an entire new complete unit. Or spend a bunch of many and get a name brand one.

[fireman24mn]

Well, those are cheap distributors on ebay. Guess you could just buy an entire new complete unit. Or spend a bunch of many and get a name brand one.

Not for sure if mine is a cheap one or not I cant find any numbers on it.

[Terry_Curran]

Check Jegs and Summit for an MSD Street Fire. They're on the low end of their line though. I think one for a GM is about $120 right now. I wonder if your cap is cracked or wet

[thedeuceman]

I have seen the trigger coil cause strange problems on HEI's in Chevy cars.

[Rosscoe]

FYI
In my research, I saw it said that the MSD Streetfires are the same as the cheapies on Ebay. All made in China. You have to step up with MSD (and others I am sure) to get something made here, if that is important, but on the other hand, if you bought the cheap one, it may be faster and less expensive to trouble shoot that way. Despite having ignition module problems myself, I am a little partial to Mallory stuff. Its about all they do and I've learned from Prestolite/Mallory, my conversion kit(559) or at least the module #605 has a 2 year warranty.
Summit seemed to have the best prices.
Of course if you go this route, you'd need an external coil and possible a ballast resistor.
HEI would be the easiest drop in for you.

[fireman24mn]

I really don't care where it is made as long as it works and don't give me more problems. At this point I am thinking I may just buy a cheap one and install it to make sure my problem is in the ignition/ distributor and not something else.

 I have not been able to use the boat for a full week yet this year without fixing something and it is getting old fast.

[dorelse]

I really don't care where it is made as long as it works and don't give me more problems. At this point I am thinking I may just buy a cheap one and install it to make sure my problem is in the ignition/ distributor and not something else.

 I have not been able to use the boat for a full week yet this year without fixing something and it is getting old fast.

Well, I've been happy with my MSD Streetfire, and I know Wex was as well as it solved his starting issues on his css-19.  It seems well made to me.  I did have to replace the ignition control module on mine, but that was a $28.00 part.

Full disclosure, I'm sure you're aware that its not approved for Marine use.

[fireman24mn]

The one I have now is not either

[Jason]

I have not been able to use the boat for a full week yet this year without fixing something and it is getting old fast.

your not alone.......

[Scott_E]

I have a spare coil for my 460, that was no longer needed since I went to HEI.  Probably the same that you would use on the 302.  It was new last year, with literally no run time on it.  So if you need to rule out the coil, you are welcome to it - I have no use for it. 

I purchased my HEI dist on ebay - $38 from White Performance.  It has been rock solid and problem free, knock on wood.

Just ran three tanks of premium thru the boat this past weekend.  I think at some point it stopped sipping it.

[TWISTED CVX]

The first thing is make sure you have a good 12 supply to the dist they use no resistors. It needs to be rock solid for these dist to work. Make sure you have no breaks or carosian , sorry spelled that wrong , in your wiring. If you have any doubts run a brand new wire dirrect from the ignition switch. Make sure you run a 10 gauge wire not a 14 gauge. Like I said these systems need good clean voltage to work.  Pop the cap on the coil there is a carbon brush from the coil to the rotor there is so much voltage going through this brush they get hot and will burn out the center of your cap. This has always been a problem. Also make sure you have a rock solid ground going to the dist terminal.  Summit has a brush available for this dist that is not carbon its more a solid metal type brush and you will get more usable amps and voltage to your secondary ignition system.  Check the wires going into your pick up coil inside the dist they are so little that even the littlest of tug will break them or they might be ready to break. There maybe only one or two strands of wires to your pick up coil. Your plug wires buy the more expensive 8 mm heavy duty plug wires don't scrimp on the plug wires. You need to get all the amps and voltage to your plug wires that you can get.  Also if you have an enclosed engine compartment make sure you only use a Marine approved dist. The automotive type do not have proper sheilding on the dist and you will take a chance of igniting the fuel vapors in your engine compartment and blowing up your boat. If you have an open engine comparment then don't worry about it. The Marine dist also have proper ventilation to vent out moisture out of the dist. 

[fireman24mn]

So another big thank you to Red

I spoke to him this afternoon and we chatted about what was going on with my boat. He thought is sounded like a fuel issue.
I took the front bowl and block off the carb. Sprayed some carb clean and then compressed air threw everything. Put it back together and cranked a few times then started right back up and ran fine with no problems.

[TWISTED CVX]

So another big thank you to Red

I spoke to him this afternoon and we chatted about what was going on with my boat. He thought is sounded like a fuel issue.
I took the front bowl and block off the carb. Sprayed some carb clean and then compressed air threw everything. Put it back together and cranked a few times then started right back up and ran fine with no problems.

Well with out being there its a little hard to dignose the problem. At least I tried

[Hyperacme]

Ross ... Make the call to Red !

[Rosscoe]

Ross ... Make the call to Red !

I hope I don't need to. I am pretty sure that issue is resolved. We'll find out soon. I received my new module today.