I was told I should take the vacuum advance off my HEI if I want proper curve or more power, something like that I got distracted and didn't catch everything he was saying. Has anyone ever ran their dist with out the vacuum advance. How about any other mods, any special olds techniques?

 

For a street car, you really need one. If anything an adjustable one would be even better.

 

I did not like the way the HEI was working on my 455...could not get it set up correctly so I ordered one from DUI ...gave them my engine/cam and vehicle specs and they custom made one...Only cost about $300... What a difference!!! Money well spent...car now runs awesome...flaweless...the only thing I had to do was add a shim(plastic gasket) because the shaft was bottoming out...

 

You need a vacuum advance for a street car. I know the set which your talking about not a good idea. That's more for drag racing. In a street car it would be hard to start. You could change your curve kit. There a lot of aftermarket parts to go in the HEI.

 

I do not run a vacuum advance at this time. I run 10 degrees initial timing and have no problems with starting, detonation ect. Gas mileage I am sure would be better with a vacuum advance, otherwise the car runs perfect. Currently running a Pertonix to keep the stock look.




Just for the record I am going to install a new advance sometime in the near future to see what happens.

Engine 68 400, 4 speed, 4:33 gear.

 

I also run a DUI in my 69 Cougar, it is a great setup and I wouldn't think of using anything else if I were to upgrade.

 

I put a Summit HEI distributor in my 71 98. It is essentially stock except is has an adjustable vacuum advance and "heavy duty" parts (whatever that means). I am very happy with it. I put it in, and set it to the instructions and it runs well. It could use some more tweaking but I like it that it was ready to go out of the box.

 

Hey guys thanks! U gave me some stuff to check out when I get this 455 put together. This dui your talkin bout, do they have a web site (I'm sure they do) whats the address...never mind I'll google it. Would there b a particular set up that is unique to olds?? Curve, vac setting, ect. anything I sould know about

 

DUI http://www.performacedistributors.com or Davis Unified Ignition. They will built it to suit your engine specs and vehicle specs...Check out the site. You will see what I mean.

 

If I could spell I would be dangerous...http://www.performancedistributors.com

 

I am really surprised no one has mentioned either the Mallory Unilite or the MSD distributors. At present I am running the Mallory and love it. I noticed an improvement right away. I also have a Billet MSD without vacuum advance that will be going in, and then the Mallory will go on the wife's car.

 

I went one grade lighter than stock on both springs and weights. Saved all parts ...

 

What was nice about the DUI unit is that calibrated to your specific needs...takes the guesswork/trial and error out of equation. I was never really sure if my HEI was working the way it should for my application. My mind is at ease now. Im sure they could dial in any distributor not just one of their own if asked.