Spark options after HEI install?

I'm very happy with the upgrade. It idles a lot smoother, especially
when damp out. I get more power at low end and this means I don't have
to drop a gear when crawling along in 2nd and I need a surge of power.
My gas mileage has also improved.
I still had a lot of problems with my Champion plugs.
As far as I am concerned Copper Champs are a POS.
I crossed over to a set of Autolites and they are performing reliably.

With the HEI you should regap your plugs to at least .045" to take
advantage of the fatter spark.

JJ


On Fri, 24 Jun 2005 17:30:55 GMT, "Pi-Eyed Piper" >
wrote:

>are you happy with what it did for your heep?
>
>
>"Jumpin' Jiminy" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 23:00:47 GMT, "Pi-Eyed Piper" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>So what are some spark options after I get done my HEI install this
>>>weekend?
>>>Is it a really bad idea to run 7MM wires?
>>>
>>>thanks
>>>
>>
>> I upgraded my 85 cj7 to an HEI and the best advice I can give you is
>> to power the HEI directly from the battery and switch it with a relay.
>> I mounted my relay beside the starter solenoid and used the +12v
>> connector on the solenoid for a power source.
>> The difference from running it off the switched power circuit is very
>> noticeable.
>> I don't know about the 7mm wires though. It can only result in a drop
>> in performance so why bother.
>> Other issues I had were with the oil dipstick placement and an overly
>> efficient relay that would stay powered on at 7v. This meant there was
>> enough residual from the alternator to keep it energized. Wiring it to
>> the other switched 12v cct meant no spark when cranking over. I solved
>> this with a diode OR to the starter solenoid. This circuit becomes
>> freed up when you lose the old ignition.
>> I presume you have the needed gear? The gear from my old distributor
>> had too large a diameter hole and was unuseable. I have heard that
>> with some distributors the old gear just has to be ground down.
>> This wasn't true in my case.
>> I'm tempted to try the Crane adjustable centrifugal advance kit. It's
>> supposed to increase the power band a bit.
>>
>> JJ
>>
>

I used the standard plugs for the engine, but increased the gap to 0.050.

I also tried the Crane adjustable advance kit, and found that all
combinations of the Crane springs provided too much advance and led to
preignition, so I ended up using the stock GM HEI distributor springs. I
get great performance and no preignition using the stock GM springs.

"Jumpin' Jiminy" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 23:00:47 GMT, "Pi-Eyed Piper" >
> wrote:
>
>>So what are some spark options after I get done my HEI install this
>>weekend?
>>Is it a really bad idea to run 7MM wires?
>>
>>thanks
>>
>
> I upgraded my 85 cj7 to an HEI and the best advice I can give you is
> to power the HEI directly from the battery and switch it with a relay.
> I mounted my relay beside the starter solenoid and used the +12v
> connector on the solenoid for a power source.
> The difference from running it off the switched power circuit is very
> noticeable.
> I don't know about the 7mm wires though. It can only result in a drop
> in performance so why bother.
> Other issues I had were with the oil dipstick placement and an overly
> efficient relay that would stay powered on at 7v. This meant there was
> enough residual from the alternator to keep it energized. Wiring it to
> the other switched 12v cct meant no spark when cranking over. I solved
> this with a diode OR to the starter solenoid. This circuit becomes
> freed up when you lose the old ignition.
> I presume you have the needed gear? The gear from my old distributor
> had too large a diameter hole and was unuseable. I have heard that
> with some distributors the old gear just has to be ground down.
> This wasn't true in my case.
> I'm tempted to try the Crane adjustable centrifugal advance kit. It's
> supposed to increase the power band a bit.
>
> JJ
>