How did you know I needed something mopar to watch today again.

I’m LITERALLY doing this upgrade on the black truck as you posted this video!

I've done it it two my cars and I'm loving it. Small block has an adapter from designed2drive. That hides module under distributor. For my slant six, I hide module in old broken orange box and used factory wiring.

TheGM HEI was one of the best automotive inventions of the 70's. The cool thing now is you can get the entire distributor for pretty much any engine.

Great video. Appreciate your clear diagram and matching verbal description.

That was a great discussion of the HEI. I noticed the quality of all of those ignition modules started failing more often in the '90's, late '90's when they became more 'imported'. The Mopar ECU always had the smallest dwell but were still reliable. The GM HEI had the best dwell. If you can find a genuine GM (Made in the USA) module you should be golden. Even a lot of the NORS were US made. I was always amazed that contemporaneously using mid '70's electronics GM was able to put their module in such a small format back then and the Mopar box was comparatively huge. GM did have a great R&D facility in the Delco Electronics div.

First time watcher, not a big Dodge fan, but HUGE fan of your style of video. 😊👍

If you have a rotary orbital sander the kind that uses stick on paper it works great to massage a sore aching back just remember to remove the sand paper first. I have been doing this every time my back starts aching, you will be surprised at how well it works.

Yikes that fire was close. Awesome video..downloading this for future use and reference when out in the stix trying to get junk going. I need to add one or two of these to the tool box

Small engine guys also use the HEI module on some of the Tecumseh motor that had the solid state ignition modules that burn up and are NLA. They have 2 pins on the flywheel that trigger a (gasp) Ford ABS module from the rear diffy to the HEI and fire a coil, pretty reliable setup.

I have had a mopar in one shape or form for 50 years a d only lost 2 modules and 0 ballast resistors so if it ain't broke,leave it the #$%& alone is my motto,but good to know,have 2 440's in boat with electronic ignition from ma mopar. Will arm myself with the parts and keep in case of emergency. As always, very informative. 👍🍺

Don’t know what we did wrong. Had an HEI retrofit on a small block Mopar. Electronic ignition distributor. Setup was exactly as in this video. Flamethrower coil, aluminum heat sink just like the one in the video. Heat sink paste and trimmed off the plastic nubs. After 3 burned out modules and being stranded 3 times; removed the HEI and currently have a pertronix distributor.

I had an experience where I had some Mopar ignition boxs and maybe a voltage regulator or two in my garage. I noticed the goo or epoxy had melted and looked like a lava flow dangling from one ignition box. I cut it off (it had resolidified), looked at the box and the circuits, now easily visible, looked ok. I put it back in the cardboard box with the others. Next time I looked, all the rest had melted out the epoxy, too. I have to conclude that the epoxy isn't failing because of old age or heat. The garage isn't more than 115 degrees even in the summer. I believe it is some sort of bacteria or fungus. In other words, it is contagious!

Back in 2016, I purchased a 1974, original 51 thousand mile Cutlass Supreme. It had the "point" distributor installed from the factory. GM installed HEI on vehicles starting the 75' model year, along with cat converters. The very first thing I did to my Cutlass 350 V8 was to install the GM HEI system. What a big difference it made to the car. Quicker starts, much better acceleration, engine idles very smoothly, a little better fuel mileage, and of course, the 8mm spark plug wires. This car was put in storage in February 1979 in a temp controlled environment in Detroit Mi. I have since made upgrades...rear disk brake system, 4-row aluminum Champion radiator, an aluminum water pump, an aluminum heater core, a totally new 4-season air conditioner compressor, a completely new Moog front suspension and rear coil springs, switched from 14' to 15 in Cutlass SS wheels because of the rear disk brake system, removed the "dead" 8-track tape system and installed a Delco stereo radio with new Blaupunkt front and rear speakers, annnnd a Blaupunkt Beverly Hills 71 CD-DVD stereo system. The Delco stereo radio and the CD player shares the very same speaker system. It sits under the dash between the console and the ash tray, a perfect spot. My next project for this car is the paint and vinyl top. The color is Citation Bronze and the vinyl top is saddle beige. Then she will definitely be complete, better than when she lift the factory. OK guys, as I said befoe...us car guys talk about three things....women, cars, and football. Probably NOT in that order but close. Good day guys. Enjoy your rides.

Love the lama barn valiant! More yes more!

Thanks! Gonna try this on my Toyota truck.

Great video and information!👍

Hey Jaime, great video! I made a video about this myself on my channel. Slant fish garage and for a very long time. Well, I still am hardcore Mopar but for a long time I've known about this swap and until just like within the last year I started using one of these on one of my mopars and I'm really surprised it works exceptionally well and with all the Chinese made parts around out there these days it's really hard for me to get the ballast resistors to last. I usually don't have a lot of trouble with the modules. I have had a couple of those go out but usually for me it's the it's the ballast resistors but great video. Keep up the good work man

Take care and thank you for the information

Funny this setup came with my slant im rebuilding. I was going to look it up but hey you saved me alot of time. Im sure i will wire it up the first time because when i put leds in my cab clearance lights for my 90 i got the polarity wrong on all 5 bulbs go figure

I did this to my 83 Ram. Well worth it.

Nice! Thanks for the info!

The parts store control box deserves some comment. The dome on the top is just a dome added to simulate the appearance of the transistor. They took these apart and found that the heat sink is not connected to the circuits inside. So it is essentially a dummy, too. I would not expect much if you are using these.

I was going to suggest a heatsink from the thumbnail, but you explained that, I even modify GM factory HEI distributors with an extra finned heatsink, especially with performance modules

I had an 80s Culass Calais v6 which kept blowing up the hei ignition module because I failed to use the thermal grease because I was dumb. Expensive education in heat transfer.

I've never had an hei module fail but I've never used one in a sketchy setup. Points? I have been considering a Mercruiser Thunderbolt module intended for the 4.3 V6. The later module has a knock sensor input but that's not my favorite one because the advance curve might be wonkier than I want to deal with. The module without knock sensor input makes for a snappy advance curve V8's love.

Thanks for a great video

Great video,thanks

Great video! I know this is a mopar swap but I found it looking for a wiring diagram which you had! Unfortunately this did not work in my boat due to having a Hall effect pickup in the original boat distributor. 👎 thanks for a very informative video none the less.

Awesome and Awesome!! Thank you!

"Chrome box"... This was basically the same as the stock Mopar ignition module without the RPM limiting circuit. I think it was limited to 5000 rpm. The "Chome box" was also knon as the "505" box, called that for the last three digits of the p/n. Later they came out with the "orange box", which was the same, also the "505" p/n. About that time there were cheap aftermarket replacements (you could even get those in Walmart) that were chromed but were not the "505". Maybe that's why Mopar went to orange, I don't know. I am not sure, don't know where I picked up this tidbit, but the bit TO3 transistor, the one on the heat sink, on the 505 box was a higher rated transistor.

That valiant is sweet!

Good job 👍

Good stuff!

Love the video! quick question. Do you think this would this work okay with a MSD blaster 2 without a ballast resistor? or should i still keep the 0.8 ohm ballast installed?

I was skeptical that 0.38 ohm coil was too low. It would be if you were using a Mopar box, other than a real high end one like a P part Chrome or Gold box. Well, depending on the ballast. I just now am searching for "Primary ballast for an HEI coil" and it may be right on the money for that. Anyway, you could find a good heat sink for that HEI module. Also, some way to get it out of the flow of water from where the hood seals to the fender. Our family had a 56 Savoy when I was a toddler. Parked outside, water from rain and snow ran down the back of the hood to the distributor and other parts on the firewall and it was hard to start in the morning. Towel drying was a frequent event. The A engine had that disadvantage that the B and sixes didn't have. I would love a 56 Savoy 2 door now.

Seems the oem module died and they replaced it by an aftermarket module. That thing died too and now im stuck. Is any GM module fitting a mopar igmition system? For my stock 1976 dodge w200... I'd add a hi-po coil then too. Great content by the way, love your vids!

Thanks Jamie

Good Vid!

I LOVE HEI.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Great info, thanks!! Question: any brand of HEI module more reliable, and are there any brands to stay away from? Are genuine GM modules still available and are they significantly better?

You got My sub.....❤

Great video. Hoping you might be able to answer a question… I’m building an engine run stand and decided to wire it to run the alternator also. Since Automotive Wiring is not my first language, I’m stuck on where a voltage regulator fits in to the mix… or is it even needed with HEI? It’s never mentioned in the Mopar/HEI conversion videos that I can find. Thanks!

Been using Arctic Silver 5 AS5-3.5G Thermal Paste under EACH HEI module in my 3 Ford HEI conversions for 20+ years, NO issues with ANY of them

You can go nuts on older engines nowadays. You can throw on a seven pin ignition module, lockout the vac and centrifugal advance, phase the distributor, chunk on a throttle position module, a mas, knock sensor, oil pressure sensor, water temp, air temp, two idle solenoids, manifold pressure, ecm and the coop day grass add a carb cheater to any old carbureted clunker and bring them into the 21st century. Always starts, maintain a 14.5 afr, self adjusting timing and choke with all the safety whohaws, get great mileage and get to keep you old carb.

Hope you feel better soon,very soon !

I have 81 dodge truck with lean burn electronic module that’s bolted onto air cleaner. Would love to put hei system. I have already bought gm module and hot msd coil. This truck did not have ballis resister so I’m scratching my head. This is my 14 year old daughters truck. 225 motor

Hmm I've never noticed any difference from mopar boxes of different colours save 1, the fbo box but it's not truly a mopar box. As for ballast resistors, yes they burn out and get very hot. To help this I space them out from the firewall by using a nut in behind, pop the mounting bolt through and viola!

HERESY! I shall call the Chrysler bishop and have you horsewhipped! 😀 Lol. Good info for new guys. It started in the 90s with voltage regulators and in the 2000s the mopar ECUs replacements started to be junk. Its been many years but I bet if you could grab an OEM ECU it would work fine vs any new one. Now cams are junk!? ugg. The HEI is a simple setup like the one wire alternator and we know it has to be because its made for Chevy guys😅 Im betting ill be using HEI soon though!

Hey the HEI module isn't much better they die in the old days it was if you drove a Chrysler you kept an extra ballast in your glove box and if you drove a GM product carried an extra 4-pin module in your glove box

I just bought a hei distributor for my 65 poly from Amazon the whole kit was a complete distributor pig tails and plug wires for $80 bucks

That is super cool but can it be done with a positive ground 6v dodge?

Hey- I have a 1979 Dodge B100 slant 6, did the HEI conversion as you mentioned in the vid. Problem now with dogging out under load once in about 2nd gear, and having some backfiring, plugs fouling out. Do I need to also convert my distributor, or do I need to run hotter plugs? Not sure if it is even related to this change over, but am looking for ANYTHING to help. Timing is good, changed plugs, wires, dist cap and rotor, changed carb, did compression check, can't find any vacuum leaks... just at a loss and looking for any other possibilities. Thought maybe if the HEI is running hotter, current recommended plugs not hot enough, or need more HEI compatible distributor (no points with my dist.) ? IDK-- help please????

I lift with my back, never had a problem.

That wiring harness for the Mopar box is available.

Hey would like your opinion on this but I have an 89 w250 that I just preformed this swap on and the truck seems to run good until I try to hold consistent rpm’s like going 70 mph for a time it seems to stutter and seems to be a touch harder to start. I have the timing set to 14 degrees advanced. Before this conversion I never had that issue. Just wanted to see what you thought

Questions at 10:mins 1.Connect another wire to the G side to the Battery positive on the ignition coil? For it to act as a pull up resistor? 2. When im grounding out the w terminal i'm taking another wire and to the body? 3. Would any ignition module work? Or do I have to get a certain year?

I did the hei conversion on 1982 dodge d150 I'm getting spark fron coil to distributor but no spark from distributor to plugs any suggestions thanks

here in France lots of 70's SIMCA cars, kind of Chrysler-France ( Dodge Omni, SIMCA 1307, Horizon etc etc ) runs theses 4 and 5 pins modules ECU with all kinds of distributors, Bosch, Ducellier, SEV, all 4 cylinders we never cared of the module colors ( I didn't even knew and learned here about thoses... colors THANKS ! fun you can also hide the HEI inside the original ECU... I donnot understand why/how get rid of the Ballast resistance ... because without ballast a 0.3 Ohms coil is ... 13V/0.3Ohms = 43 Amperes comsumption ... even with 0.7 dwell it makes 30 Amperes wich is the production of my small generator 😮‍💨 excuse me I am bloqué ( stucked) on this issue I visited the website saw that but no explainaition about coil's consumption.... ?? please ! help, is the HEI miraculous regarding hawfull ballast wiring also ? at the moment instaling an SEV-chrysler electronic distributor in a SIMCA 1000 4cyl 1971 instead of points. have just the proper distributor a new ECU ( 5 pin) and Wonder about HEI ... 1.6 Ohms coil would be enought ( engine 7000+ RPM only 4 cyl)

In theory, could you achieve multiple spark with a twin tipped rotor? Or, a reluctor wheel with multiple peaks?

Can you provide more details on the pull-up resistor needed for implementing this on a points distributor?

I grabbed a pertronix Distributor, would that replace the HEI chip entirely?

i really hated to do it but i installed the HEI dist they make for a 318 into my 1966 D500 works great just try not to think about it

Where would one buy a good module online? ‘Any partstore’ in holland do not have them..

I have a Dodge with a 225. Do you happen to have a part number for a Chrysler hei distributor that would work with a conversion? Or a Chrysler year/make/model? Thanks.

Going to convert the 79 Cordoba away from lean burn. But I bought a Chrysler DC kit. Hmmm. Wondering if I should go a different route.

Mind blown

Here is my question, I think I have too many parts . All I need is distributor, module and wire . I don’t need the ecu box or the starter relay or ballast resistor. I have a 12v coil. Rebuilding a 1985 dodge d150 Any guidance would be appreciated 😁

Hi Jamie the Great! I left an informative reply on your ballast resistor video. Did you read it???

What if you have the less than awesome 1987 D150 with a lean burn 318

You Can buy pigtails with the gm connectors for those modules for a couple bucks

It might be a stupid question, but can I do this with a slant six?

I have two pickups in my distributor how do I wire that

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one, Jamie. I've always "converted" any Mopar I had at the time to the Mopar electronic ignition - and always by using one of their kits, which are quite complete with harness and all (even a new, slightly different ballast - 0.8ohm I think?). I've never had an ECU fail either - but that might be because of my fondness of the really old ones from the 70's and 80's, back before quality went to crap. I'll still pick one of those up sometimes when I see it - which just means I have spares, I guess. The other thing is - it's a MUST to convert the voltage regulator also. Makes a big difference! BTW, a rebuilt A1/Cordone electronic distributor used to be a nice piece, too - but I think they discontinued them. Mancini sells the conversion kits now from like 4 different brands - gotta watch out for Chinesium though! BONUS: Accel still sells the heavy duty tan dist. cap w/brass inserts for their distributors - which is an exact copy of the Mopar cap. Yay! -Ed on the Ridge

I have purchased three icm then i did this conversion. Now i have purchased 3 hei. What am i doing wrong. Truck runs great for a while, then loses power studders, then wont start

Swapped out the duraspark module in my 79 courier's 2.3 for an HEI because I couldn't get a duraspark box to live there for any length of time, including the one from the donor Ford ranger. Blew out 4 or 5 HEI modules before it occurred to me that a ground wire on the mounting lug might be a good idea. Trouble free for years & years after that. To Hell with ballasts & resistor wires. Skip all that idiocy. HEI's the way to go. Get a length of 3/16 x 2in aluminum strap from the local Home Shlepo for a heat sink & remember to snap that little plastic tab off the back of the module so it sits flat. You can't go wrong!

I got a 92 jeep the wipers kept going on so i removed the balast resistor under the radio; now got no wipers ; car starts fine;

Want to convert a 1959 Nash Metropolitan 4 cylinder, can that Dist be converted???

Hey jamie, so for the B pin on HEI module, I have a red wire going from that to positive post on coil and then a new spliced into that existing wire as said and ran to the blue “run” wire on ignition switch. That wire gets 11.99 volts on run and about 10.90 volts on start. Did I do this correctly?

i like that lama barn car

Can i run a gm hei conversion distributor on a 1988 efi 318?

man i need that diagram posted somewhere i can print it off. also do you have one to help with adding a gm alt? want to get to a internal regulator.

Coooool

Boy if that aint a knock-off of a 4-wire 2nd gen GM ignition module!!!

Need to spray a 01 on it

Either 10 times better than the lean Burn System that Chrysler came up with that thing was freaking horrible

👍🏻💯🇦🇺⛽️

I used to rob all the wiring harnesses I could get from 6 cyl's. Long wires. The HEI trick is easier cheaper and better, so well....

First one in today.

Yeah but that's pretty easy all you have to do is go down on your starter solenoid and run a wire from there to your coil very simple fix

"I'm not even wearing👖 "

Fords were a lot worse years ago, I had a 1980 F100 pickup a long time ago, my daily driver it was almost new so I was making payment, had the big aluminum module, they would go bad at the worst times, and very often, I replaced it over 10 times, kept a spare in the glove box, was reading Car Craft magazine one day, they had the diagram to use an hei, it worked great for 15 years and was not even a new one when installed

I was asleep, my bad.

GM has rescued several other car brands with various parts and pieces. Large scale has a long reach.

Any of the new manufactured HEI modules are garbage if you want reliability go to the junkyard and find one from 74 to 80 General Motors car

Take care of yourself and stop 🛑 picking up B/RB blocks.

These HEI modules suck. I’ve tried all of them. ACCEL, AC Delco (stock and performance) Davis and MSD. Did the conversion on my Mopar dizzy. There’s a guy that makes a mount for under the Mopar distributor. Never again. I knew better, my first few muscle cars in the 90s were GM, tried HEI of various brands back then. Same result. Orange and Chrome box have been great. Never had one fail. But haven’t used one in 15 yrs either. I hear they aren’t what they used to be. I’ve been using old school MSD 6AL boxes for yrs (not the digital) and never have an issue.

I didn't the good lord himself richard petty to bless all my ballast resistors to stop using classic ignition systems. They might not be the main cause but that's where the ghosts leak out from

I used to rescue my buddies with chevys with my car hauler and my dodge. I've never had anything fail in my 61 years. Gm junk don't belong on mopars.