Item: GM HEI Distributor (modified for the 2F)
Supplier:  Colorado Cruisers
 

I just added a modified GM HEI distributor from Colorado Cruisers to my FJ40.  It was a BIG improvement!!!  I wish I had started with the HEI instead of finishing with it. I am currently running a Webber 38, RV grind cam, and Man-A-Fre header which are installed on a rebuilt long block engine done by NAPA.  Before the HEI, I was getting about 10 mpg at an estimated 175 HP, now I am getting around 185-190 and 14 mph on highway at 65-70 with NO lag anywhere on the tach.  It?s cool.

Now the engine simply will not stall no matter what gear or what speed (it will stall but you have to really try).  Last night I put my FJ40 in forth gear high and dropped the clutch with no gas.  My Cruiser did not lurch or stall, it simply started to putter around the neighborhood at 5mph at 450 to 500 rpms.  I thought it was so cool that I dropped it down into low and put it in first. It then crawled along again at 450 to 500 rpms at now 1/2 mile an hour.  This was again with no foot on the peddle! (I guess I amuse easily)

Before the HEI, the Webber was just dumping too much fuel into the motor for the stock distributor to burn.  After I tuned it up, it still ran rich.  I advanced the Toy distributor to get it to run better between 2500 to 4000 RPMs, but then it did not start worth a dam.  So I retarded the stock distributor to get the thing to start good and then the engine ran like a dog on the top end and it backfired when decelerating using compression.  I could not get both.

I almost went with the Jacob's system.  The cost is about the same.  By all accounts the performance is also about the same.  The bottom line between the two seemed to be in favor of the Jacob's when used above 5500 RPMs.  After that , Jacob's gives and additional 15-20 thousand volts. Before 5000 RPMs both Jacob's and HEI offer about the same voltage. We all know the 2F's red line is at 4000 which rules out the Jacob's advantage. Jacob' also claims to have the skinny on tailoring the spark duration.  That may be, however the HEI has an awesome advance curve that essentially does what I now think is a better job.

For a lot of years, HEI was the ultimate in non computerized distributor technology. It is simple, extremely reliable and works extremely well for the old 2F motor.  I also like the fact that I can use my NAPA people for stock parts. It is nice to walk in and get replacement parts off the shelf.

Written 10/1999

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