Mechanic for HEI Install on 87 YJ

Rick Deckard

New Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2015
Location
Hillsborough
Greetings!

This is my first post. A kind gentleman on another forum recommended that I post my request here. I hope he was right!

I usually make my own repairs, but I'm in a bit of a bind, so I would like to find a local YJ guru to install a HEI distributor on my 87 YJ.

The YJ is stalling every 5-15 minutes, and I've ruled out fuel problems. Rather than throw money at the ignition control module and coil, I'm swapping them out with the HEI. In the bargain, I'll also be able to get rid of the spark amplifier that the previous owner put in there fourteen years ago.

I'm located in Hillsborough, NC. I know some mechanics, but none of them specialize in Jeeps. I realize that the HEI install is pretty simple, but I would like to find someone who is familiar with the HEI swap because there is a lot of wiring to remove, some wiring to relocate, and some other wiring to replace (because the stock harness gauge is likely too lightweight).

If I had more time, I'd muddle through the swap on my own, but I'm short on time and have a lot of other responsibilities at the moment, so I'm asking for help finding the right guy or shop for the job.

I've already heard good things about J-Medic, but they are too far for me to travel. If possible, I'd like to find someone in Hillsborough, Efland, or Mebane. I'd even find a way to get to Durham if necessary.

So I put the question to you, kind readers: Can you refer me to a good local YJ mechanic to help me with my HEI Install?
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1987 YJ, 2.5" leaf lift, 3" body lift, slip yoke, Tatton rear drive shaft, steel brake lines, 33x12.50R15 Cooper Discoverer AT/3 on Sidebiter IIs.
 
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Since no one seems to know, it looks like I might be blazing this particular trail.

In that regard, has anyone here done business with Andrew's, Jay's, or Graham's, all in Efland? They are currently on my short list for this job, so it would be good to hear from anyone who has experience with them.

I plan on interviewing all three of them early this week, and then I'll give the job to whomever seems the most interested and competent. Here are some questions I plan on asking during the interview:
  • Do you work mostly on domestic or import vehicles?
  • Do you work mostly on early- or late-model vehicles?
  • How much experience do you have with four-wheel drive vehicles?
  • Do any of you go 4-wheeling?
  • Do any of you you drive Jeeps?
  • Have you worked on the 4.2L 258?
  • Who's your electrical specialist?
  • How much experience do you have with aftermarket modifications?
If anyone can think of additional (or better) questions for me to ask to help me evaluate whom to hire, please let me know. Meanwhile, I'll keep you posted.
 
:popcorn:
 
Today, I stopped by Graham's, Jay's, and Andrew's, all in Efland. While there, I spoke with Graham, Jay, and Andrew. All three convinced me that they had installed several HEI units in the past and that they were perfectly capable of installing mine.

Disclaimer: Before saying more, I declare that everything I say from this point forward probably reveals more about me than it does about Graham, Jay, Andrew, or their shops. Because all three of them convinced me that they are qualified, I am forced to make my decision based on personal preference alone.

That said, I'll be giving this job to Graham, and here's why:
  1. Graham asked me the most questions about the job. As you know, I had a list of questions prepared for these interviews, but Graham quizzed me about it more than the others did.
  2. Graham spoke about the job using precise technical terms. The others did not.
  3. Graham's shop was the cleanest, best equipped, and best organized.
  4. About half of the vehicles waiting for service were light and medium weight trucks from the 2010s, all of them in immaculate condition.
  5. One of the employee's trucks was a very clean Toyota 4x4 pickup from the early 1990s, fully equipped for crawling (winch included), but also clearly holding down its day job as a working ranch horse.
  6. On the wall of Graham's waiting room was a vintage snapshot of himself in a nicely built rock-crawling Bronco from the early 1980s.
All six of those points speak to Graham's strengths, but Jay and Andrew also displayed strengths that Graham did not. Most importantly, both Jay and Andrew convinced me that my job was more important to them, personally, than Graham did. Jay especially impressed me as someone who took particular delight in his work. Indeed, Jay's commitment to craftsmanship almost won him the contract. But ultimately, I made my selection based on a more empirically verifiable basis, as described above.

Meanwhile, the CRT HEI that I ordered won't arrive for another few days. When it does, I'll stop by Graham's again, with the unit in hand, to make my appointment. At that time, I'll also hand him a written checklist with the specific job outcomes that I'd like to see. Finally, I'll tell him that I'd like him to bag all of the parts he removes and return them to me. If all of that goes well, then the game will be on.

Stay tuned to this channel for further updates as events unfold.
 
The deed is done! Here's the report:

If anyone is wondering whether to install a HEI, still your breath and pull the trigger. You won't regret it. I couldn't possibly be happier with my HEI:

  • Startup is quicker
  • Idle is lower
  • Torque at low RPM is vastly improved, in all gears and at all speeds
  • Pinging at high RPM has been entirely eliminated
  • Motor output is now vibration-free throughout the power band
  • Galloping at shut-off is totally gone
Before the HEI, my '87 YJ was like a healthy old man. After the HEI, it's like a competitive senior triathlete.

Graham's Automotive in Efland also performed admirably: They got the job done quickly, competently, affordably, and without any drama whatsoever. Their fender-side manner might not have been as personable as Jay's (and I may give Jay a job some day just to see how it goes), but considering all the other benefits that Graham's bestowed, I have absolutely no regrets.

Mission accomplished.
 
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