Which spark plug wires for HEI?

On the first outing of the year, my boat died. I have diagnosed the problem to be a bad ignition module (Prestolite conversion).

Instead of replacing the module, I may take this opportunity to upgrade to a DUI Performance Distributor (HEI). In this case, I'd need to upgrade to 8mm spiral core plug wires.

Ive heard good things about Taylor wires, but I am not sure which automotive application to cross reference (Ive heard not all 351w applications will fit our boats). Not sure if length is the issue or not.

I assume I need HEI terminals on the distributor end. Can someone recommend a Taylor Spiro-Pro 8mm part number that they've used, or an automotive application I can cross reference?

Thanks!

Do a search on the internet and see if you can find a company that will custom assemble a wire set that perfectly matches (length) the 6mm PCM wire set.

I went this route for a new wire set for my BMW V12 as the BMW dealer wanted about $250 per side for OEM wires. Unfortunately, it has been some time ago and I have since sold the car and all my records went with the car...so I cannot give you the company name.

these should work



http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=75-1101

Me three-

I have the same distributor as awhite and joe

Works Awesome!!! I bought a set of universal taylor spiro core wires ($50) and cut to length
I am running the stock autolite resistor plug(24) the engine calls for but I opened the gap up to about .060-.065"

I would also highly recommend a platnum plug. I am going to buy a set when I wear out the one's in the motor

Hey you guys with the DUI (HEI)...
Do you have a RH or LH? I emailed Performance Dist. and they replied that all they had was LH. Mine is a RH 351 and I REALLY want one of these distributors. Anybody know where I can get a RH or do I just need to call Performance Dist. and hope for the best?

When I bought my DUI they had RH gears to install on the distributors. They charged me $75 extra for it, which I thought was pricey. I questioned them on it and they agreed but said they had to pay that much for them. I needed the gear and didn't have time to find on by other means so I went ahead and paid it.

I can't recall for sure but it's possible the gear from your original distributor could be installed on the DUI.

If your dist is correct for a rev or
RH rotation engine, then you may be able to use that gear, on a new DUI/HEI distrihbutor, regaurdless, the correct gear is available, if you need it. Just make sure you already don't have it on the unit you are removing?

the HEI's have a roll bin through them that attaches the gear to the shaft as well, almost all distributors are done this way. The difference is the drive built into the gear to drive the oil pump, some are sloted others are a hex.

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but I am new to the site, and have some questions regarding things from this thread. First, the DUI performance dist., is that from performancedistributors.com??   If so, it says the coil is built in.... so i can get rid of the my current coil and all the other old stuff right?? How hard are they to hook up, and do they come with directions?? I have an 85 ski natique 2001, and im pretty sure it is reverse rotation, which is RH, right?? Does an 85 have a resistor block somewhere, and does it get used with the new one?? Will my prestolite gear work or do i need to buy a different gear? I would like to order this asap so i can start skiing again, so all the info i can get is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks again

Kevin

Crane 8.5 are great wire.

My current distributor works but... I just called performance distributors and they told me they can't get the RH gear anymore. The guy is doing some checking to see if he can get one anywhere else. I'm just sick of messing with the points and the resistor.

klinger_2003 wrote: Ok- thanx for the clarification of some things.. So do you have to use bigger wires with the DUI, or is it "recommended"?? What effect would it have if you didn't do it? I am like tjackle, and am just sick of the points and coil and resistor etc. On a side note, a lot of people talk about mallory distributors, they are like 240 or something from summit with the magnetic pickup--- well how much better are they then the stock one?? They are still mech. advance, so wouldn't they potentaily cause problems down the road?? This may be a cheaper faster route, but an HEI would be real nice, but is it worth the extra 135 dollars?? Thanx again for the good info!!! Kevin

All marine distributors are going to be mechanical advance since the motor is always under load.

If youre sick of dealing with points, you can convert your distributor to electronic for about $100. SkiDIM carries Prestolite and Pertronix conversion kits.

If you want to upgrade to a full electronic distributor, the Mallory's from Summit are an option. When my EI module quit, I only looked at these briefly, however. While they are probably a better product than the stock distributor converted to EI, I dont think they were 3x better (for 3x the cost). They are the distributor only, so you still need a seperate coil. The Unilite requires a ballast resistor, not sure about the magnetic version.

I decided to go with the DUI for a few reasons.
-The advance curve is custom tuned, and will be consistent every time (unlike the stock dist).
-It ouputs a longer duration spark, improving combustion (HEI = High Energy Ignition).
-If I upgrade my motor in the future, the DUI can be re-tuned to the new specs.
-It replaces the distributor AND coil, simplifying wiring.
-you can replace the coil or module with stock GM HEI parts (which dont perform quite as well as the DUI parts, but will get you back on the water quick).
-The DUI specific coil and module replacement prices are reasonable ($45 and $49, respectively).


I am not sure if running stock-type plug wires with the DUI would cause any problems, but you certainly wont be taking full advantage of the hotter, longer spark it provides. Here is a quote from Performance Distributors:

"Stock wires have way too much resistance to run with any high performance igniton. Although we would like to see your run our Live Wire Plug Wires-if you don't at least make sure that you run 8mm spiral core plug wires."

Their Live Wires look nice, but are ~$100/set. I found the Taylor Spiro-Pro 8mm wires for $50 shipped on ebay. I have to cut and terminate them myself, but at least I know the length will be right.

You don't have to get new wires with a DUI because of the ignition system, you have to get them because the distributor end of the wires is different. The DUI uses a GM HEI style end that is different than the OEM style wire.

I called to order my RH DUI from Performance Distributors and they told me they don't carry the RH gear anymore... I though I might could use my current dist gear but I'm not sure it's the same diameter. I think the DUI is going to be .491 and the stock marine I think is .530. Anybody know for sure?

I'm not sure what direction to go now. My old dist. bushings are worn pretty good. That's why I wanted a new one. I guess I'm going to get a rebuild kit for my current one and just upgrade it. What kind of kit do you guys recommend? I really want to do away with the points and the resistor (and I'd like a bit more spark as well)!

Well tjackle, i will be able to tell you in 2 to 3 weeks if the prestolite gear will work or not, because that is what i am banking on right now.... Sure hope it works. if my current gear has a smaller diamter than the shaft on the new distributor, i will probably put the old gear on a lathe and make it a lil bigger....Hopefully it just works. I will post when i find out!!!