HEI Distributors

This forum is for comments and the exchange of information relating to Trojan Boats and boating. Please do not post used parts or boats For Sale in this area. For general, non-boating topics please use our "General Discussions" section.

Note: Negative or inflammatory postings will not be tolerated.

Moderators: BeaconMarineBob, Moderator, BeaconMarineDon

User avatar
zedtwentyate
Moderate User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:46 am

HEI Distributors

Post by zedtwentyate »

I've seen a few posts about the HEI distributors from AAA Marine. Can anyone tell me any downside of using these? I am only hearing good things about HP add and economy...
Kegan

1986 Trojan F-27 (SOLD!!!)
1989 Trojan 10 Meter Mid Cabin
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by prowlersfish »

Are you talking about this style ?

https://aaamarine.com/chevpromarine-650 ... ser-owners

https://aaamarine.com/chevpromarinecomb ... -and-wires


IMO its a great design and if I had a weak moment and went back to gas :shock: , I would go that route .
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
zedtwentyate
Moderate User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:46 am

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by zedtwentyate »

prowlersfish wrote:Are you talking about this style ?

https://aaamarine.com/chevpromarine-650 ... ser-owners

https://aaamarine.com/chevpromarinecomb ... -and-wires


IMO its a great design and if I had a weak moment and went back to gas :shock: , I would go that route .

Yes. I just spoke to AAA today. Great guy there who sold me on them. I placed an order for two combo sets today. He said you have to run the plugs at .60 instead of .30 and it increases HP and efficiency.
Kegan

1986 Trojan F-27 (SOLD!!!)
1989 Trojan 10 Meter Mid Cabin
User avatar
BobCT
Active User
Posts: 1066
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:01 pm
Location: New Haven CT

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by BobCT »

I'm interested in hearing the before/after comparison. I have the original distributors on mine with the Prestolite electronic modules. I replaced both and carry a spare. Dead reliable but could prob upgrade now.


Bob
1988 10m mid cabin
User avatar
zedtwentyate
Moderate User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:46 am

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by zedtwentyate »

BobCT wrote:I'm interested in hearing the before/after comparison. I have the original distributors on mine with the Prestolite electronic modules. I replaced both and carry a spare. Dead reliable but could prob upgrade now.


Bob
I have the same Prestolites now. The new ones should be here this week. Once we're put back together, I will let you know how they perform. I am a little nervous about moving away from "factory", but I have to believe the technology improvements make it ok to do.
Kegan

1986 Trojan F-27 (SOLD!!!)
1989 Trojan 10 Meter Mid Cabin
User avatar
zedtwentyate
Moderate User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:46 am

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by zedtwentyate »

Anyone out there who has done this job...can you clarify what wires will be no longer connected to anything? I'm trying to wrap my head around this...

I know the HEI unit only needs tach and 12v...but there are at least three or four wires that will no longer have a home.
Kegan

1986 Trojan F-27 (SOLD!!!)
1989 Trojan 10 Meter Mid Cabin
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by prowlersfish »

Only 2 wires needed . The others can be removed or taped up
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
Stripermann2
Ultimate User
Posts: 3027
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:11 am
Location: Solomon's Island, MD

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by Stripermann2 »

As Paul said, two wires only. You'll need the 12 volt ignition-on feed and the tach wire. Tape up and secure remaining wires.
The new coil will sit inside distributor cap (4 screws). The distributor wires plug into the coil leads (12 Volt/ Tach) on top of the distributor cap.

You'll need a coil cover to make it work if it doesn't come with one. (2 screws) Simple install...
Jamie


1985 F-32 270 Crusaders
1988 Sea Ray 23 350 Merc.
Trojan. Enjoy the ride...

-I don't wanna hear anyone whine...Anymore!
-You might get there before me, but you still have to wait for me, for the fun to start!
User avatar
zedtwentyate
Moderate User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:46 am

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by zedtwentyate »

I got the unit from AAA and it has the cover.

So to be clear...

Purple coming off the starter solenoid is useless...tape it up or remove it.
Yellow coming off alternator is useless...tape it up.
Grey off the harness is tach
Purple off harness is 12v

Is that right? Or should I be snagging my 12v elsewhere?
Kegan

1986 Trojan F-27 (SOLD!!!)
1989 Trojan 10 Meter Mid Cabin
User avatar
Stripermann2
Ultimate User
Posts: 3027
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:11 am
Location: Solomon's Island, MD

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by Stripermann2 »

Sounds right. As long as you have 12 volts, key on, you should be fine.
Jamie


1985 F-32 270 Crusaders
1988 Sea Ray 23 350 Merc.
Trojan. Enjoy the ride...

-I don't wanna hear anyone whine...Anymore!
-You might get there before me, but you still have to wait for me, for the fun to start!
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by prowlersfish »

zedtwentyate wrote:I got the unit from AAA and it has the cover.

So to be clear...

Purple coming off the starter solenoid is useless...tape it up or remove it.
Yellow coming off alternator is useless...tape it up.
Grey off the harness is tach
Purple off harness is 12v

Is that right? Or should I be snagging my 12v elsewhere?

The yellow wire maybe a exciter wire for the alternator so you may need to hook that to the 12 v (purple wire) I don't have a diagram in front of me did that wire go to the + on the coil ?

Let me back up here , Do you happen to have a ballast resistor on your engine ? If you do that will need to be by passed
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
Stripermann2
Ultimate User
Posts: 3027
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:11 am
Location: Solomon's Island, MD

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by Stripermann2 »

The wire coming from the solenoid was for the ignition coil which provided the needed 12 volts while cranking. You won't need it...
Jamie


1985 F-32 270 Crusaders
1988 Sea Ray 23 350 Merc.
Trojan. Enjoy the ride...

-I don't wanna hear anyone whine...Anymore!
-You might get there before me, but you still have to wait for me, for the fun to start!
User avatar
zedtwentyate
Moderate User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:46 am

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by zedtwentyate »

Long grey wire on the left is my tach wire. The two together on the right were connected to the + terminal. The yellow cam from distributor and the purple goes into the harness. There was another purple wire from the starter to the positive terminal on the coil too.

Image
Kegan

1986 Trojan F-27 (SOLD!!!)
1989 Trojan 10 Meter Mid Cabin
User avatar
zedtwentyate
Moderate User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:46 am

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by zedtwentyate »

Image
Kegan

1986 Trojan F-27 (SOLD!!!)
1989 Trojan 10 Meter Mid Cabin
mrrudely
Sporadic User
Posts: 180
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2019 11:52 am
Location: Marina Del Rey, CA

Re: HEI Distributors

Post by mrrudely »

hey guys I realize this is an old thread but I am about to swap out
my distributors with HEI's from AAA marine
Looks like zedtwentyate has already done this
if you're still out there the wiring has me a little confused
especially the part about the alternator

so you asked the question
grey off the harness is tach
purple off the harness is 12v

but I didn't see the answer

thx
rr

any other tips much appreciated
10 meter mid cabin
Post Reply