258 jeep ignition upgrade?

Flex5

Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2006
Location
Lenoir NC
I need to upgrade the ignition on my 258. Has anyone used the GM HEI conversions, if so who did you buy from and how did you like it? What are my other options? If someone on here is selling them, point me in that direction. I like to keep my money local, not on fleabay.
 
Here's what you want! :)
 

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What year is your current motor?

For the later-model AMC 258s, you can upgrade the system using stock Ford parts. I think this is applicable on 1978 and later (no points). You can search online for details but I would do that if you can, its a lot more efficient than getting a whole new distributor in my opinion

http://www.swbbbs.freeservers.com/teamrush.htm

82 Ford F-150 Pickup, with 300 CID I-6
- Cap Adapter
- Cap
- Rotor

86 Ford F-150 Pickup, with 300 CID I-6 WITH E.E.C
- plug wires
- coil
 
Flex5 said:
What is the difference in the DUI and something like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AMC-...98290QQ_trksidZp3286Q2em7QQitemZ330582598961?

I have a 77 Cj 5 which is about to be the recipient of a donor motor from an 88 YJ with a 4.2
Click to expand...
Not much. Cheap HEIs work fine but I've read where there's issues of the gears eating teeth off of the cams. If your dizzy gear will swap over, great.
The hei/tfi upgrade works really well and would eliminate using "cheap" parts.
 
The gear on the cam is probably as worn out as the rest of that old motor lol. I think I might run...... an experiment! For the cost difference, I can replace the cam when I rebuild the motor.

I really don't think that motor is worth $300. It wont ever be a hotrod. I am just tired of fighting the points ignition.
 
Then run with the ebay HEI. I have 2 friends that have used them to replace points and they have worked just fine.
 
Cool deal. I cant even junk yard a chevy 250 HEI with a new cap and coil for the price of that one.

Thanks for the input
 
I ran the Ebay one for 6 months without issue on my 258. I did call the seller to make sure it had the proper gear. Some of the cheap HEI come with hardened gears that that will destroy you cam gear.

If you are worried about failures order two, it would still be cheaper than the so called high quality one and they are about a 10 minute swap on the trail.
 
pertronix trigger?

just another thought.
 
I've been runnin the ebay HEI in mine for over two years with no problems. First had it the orginal 258 and now in the '72 232 that's in my yj.
 
I ordered the ebay HEI today. I will keep yall in the loop as to how it works out. If it fires at all it is doing better than the points are now...
 
It is easy to install just remember to use a power source that stays on when the key is in the start position. Allot of the accessories turn off when you turn the key to the start position.
 
Finally got time to put this in this weekend and it works well. Opening up the gap from 35 to 45 or 50 makes a HUGE difference. Very simple install and AWESOME rewards for the money.
 
You can make your own junkyard HEI using a chevy 250 6 cyl dizzy, just remove gear and install AMC V8 gear. I have made several of these and work like a champ. I had less than 50 bucks in this setup counting buying new cheap HEI wires.
 
Just an update on this. I have run this setup for two solid 8 hour days with no problems. Most of these hours were spent at a high idle/ highway cruising rpm, using the winch to pull trees.
 
AMC Rebel said:
You can make your own junkyard HEI using a chevy 250 6 cyl dizzy, just remove gear and install AMC V8 gear. I have made several of these and work like a champ. I had less than 50 bucks in this setup counting buying new cheap HEI wires.
Click to expand...

My engine: 1975 AMC 258... will this work for my engine?

If so, what vehicles have the engine/distributor that you mentioned above?

Any other info welcomed? :driver:

Flex5, before you throw stones at me, remember I am flexible. :lol:
 
For $65 shipped to my door and everything being new, I couldn't justify hunting up junkyard parts. The jump from a 30k volt coil to a 50k volt coil and the increase in spark gap is a big bonus also. Now to work on a TBI set up.....
 
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