Burning Out Chevy Hei Distributor Ignition Modules

[Grumpy]

bad engine grounds or ,high resistance electrical connections,
like coil wires, or a defective coil, and worn ignition wires,
bad, battery and engine electrical connections and faulty grounds are primary sources for this problem,
the more ohms resistance,
in the ignition, system's wiring,
and component connections,
the higher the heat in the ignition module during operation,
and the more likely it is to fail.
even a single cylinder's high resistance ignition wire ,broken connector,
or the coil wire , or defective ignition coil causes issues with high heat.
and lack of thermal grease under the ignition
module, WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE IT TO FAIL
read thread

trouble shooting & rebuilding HEI ignitions

if your ignition is working correctly your getting a hot blue spark, thats got a noticeable audible snap to it if you test an ignition wire by removing it from a plug temporarily and holding it about a 1/3" from a ground like the block,a quick check of your shop manual for the correct advance...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

btw if the vettes still having that issue
Id suggest replacing the ignition module, distributor cap, rotor and coil,
as the component age and wear are rather frequently the root cause of that intermittent ignition /HEI related problem
in C4 corvettes that are well over 24 years old
but obviously make sure the parts selected & bought match the year corvette you use them in

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...istributor-ignition-modules.16056/#post-96896

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...1,ignition,ignition+control+module+(icm),7172

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...350cid+v8,1041231,ignition,ignition+coil,7060

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...0cid+v8,1041231,ignition,distributor+cap,7120

very good
https://www.google.com/search?q=art...me..69i57.240303j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

good
Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound AS5-12G - OEM

good
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BZENY...tWxSNqn1YeeooBP4D.BQ&slotNum=18&tag=wepcus-20

in the distributor are very common problems,
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ouble-shooting-rebuilding-hei-ignitions.2798/

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/67498-hei-coils-modules/#ixzz1WXIRF3d2

https://www.autozone.com/repairguid...n-HEI-System/Pickup-Coil/_/P-0900c1528025f555

ignition wires & getting the header clearance

Good spark plug wire usually has less than about 400-500ohms ohms resistance per ft. Your correct that less resistance tends to allow more SPARK energy a crossed the plug gap, which in most cases is best set in the .040-.045 range in my experience, for HEI ignitions and .030 plug gap for a...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

get out the multi meter, test the coil, battery connections and voltage and ohms resistance.
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-dig ... 98674.html

all the ignition wire should read under 100 ohms per foot in length.
and yes even some new ignition wire does not meet that requirement
https://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/HEI-Testing.pdf

https://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/hei-distributor-troubleshooting-with-performance-distributors/

https://www.autozone.com/repairguid...eshooting-the-HEI-System/_/P-0900c15280083b2c

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/the-lost-art-of-servicing-gm-hei

https://chevythunder.com/hei_troubleshooting_page_2_coil_.htm


https://isavetractors.com/blog/do-you-keep-burning-out-ignition-coils-here-is-why/

many aftermarket ignition modules are not well made,
the OEM, AC DELCO are generally better quality
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1393025&cc=1041220&jsn=2241&_nck=Ekt6BqBF1pxfnyh/V1qBw9dg1uWzEnsiBhKYyGSvvw/BlImwaASI+DKrtPUjRWIoazOBafTB/6oiGzhri6OXell+64oL+OBsctO4Iqc7XgJ3cmVIGiHr85wNtdWwrrikvhQkT8WZIMZFjztSzlJwc0AY1uXwF6GqNey01LWXoIto4w4eABriiSq7ssozi3+B5wGe9BdO8tBPab0Yw+G1xj+MhuTH4BsT946Zw38ubaEAJ+U1VhlBa3ZQHXwS1irTm2WXMXPBrU7UVztooKDjS+cvULy13qHNTB/50U0vzu/cQj2BGsNg+qAJo1z7ez1W/fGzhZaXO2Ex6vNDP+xziShbuVUeb8kH8zT4uCwaICi5/Vm4J6vRNA==

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-test-an-ignition-module

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ouble-shooting-rebuilding-hei-ignitions.2798/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...blem-with-my-87-c-4-corvette.5055/#post-89786

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...your-c4-corvette-runs-badly.15212/#post-87228

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/1990-corvette-no-spark.13857/#post-70895

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/multi-meters.3110/#post-71867

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...grease-for-ignition-modules.10748/#post-46944

 

[Grumpy]

big block chevy pertronix ignition - Google Search

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ignition+coil+test+multimeter

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manua ... tm#oil-low

http://www.procarcare.com/includes/cont ... fPbs1.html

Id like your gentlemens input/thoughts here

my B.I.L called and said his 1974 vette would not start, he's in GA and IM in texas so I can't just drop by and fix it, http://www.grumpysperformance.com/mitch1.jpg http://www.grumpysperformance.com/mitch2.jpg I rapidly diagnosed over the phone, his initial issue, the car would not run, down...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

GOOD COILS TESTED WITH AN MULTI METER SET TO OHMS
normally read ,
between 0.8 ohms-to-1.3 ohms between the positive and neg electrical connections
10,000-13,000 ohms between either of the electrical connections and the coil to distributor wire connection terminal
with ignition key on, the positive coil terminal should have 12 volts
verify firing order usually
18436572
good ignition wire should have less than 250 ohms resistance per foot of length

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http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-getting-the-header-clearance.840/#post-35089

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/plug-wire-routing.6691/#post-21444

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...nstalling-hard-to-access-plugs.962/#post-3056

https://www.turnology.com/tech-stor...ug-wire-questions-from-taylor-cable-products/

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guide too re-installing the intake manifold /distributor​

read these thread LINKS and watch this video link below first, because theres a ton of related info that can help, you , to prevent oil & coolant or vacuum leaks, and gasket damage, BE AWARE that if the intake manifold bolts used are too short the threads may strip, \if they are too long you...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

watch the video on the sbc, its the same deal on the bbc, yeah Im sure you think its correct, but obviously somethings not indexed correctly

I wish I was local, and could drop by, but this is not nearly as difficult as it seems, and yeah almost all of us have had similar issues at one time or another.

related threads

timing tabs and indicators​

these things are a deceptively simply but necessary component on your engine, they range from the cheap stamped steel, and non adjustable versions to the much nicer adjustable versions, ONE basic thing youll need to know is where TDC, 90,180,270 degrees are located if and when you get involved...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

verifying your real advance curve​

you need to start by verifying TDC on the timing tab and damper actually show TRUE TDC. IF that base line (TDC on CRANK AND TIMING TAB) is not correct, everything done after that is based on that TDC, will be wrong...
garage.grumpysperformance.com