| [GMCnet] HEI Module failure - a solution? [message #139742] |
Wed, 17 August 2011 23:01  |
Kirk
Messages: 80
Registered: April 2008
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We had an HEI module failure on the way to Loon Lake in the Sierras. Of
course it was on an up hill grade between two blind curves on the edge of a
canyon and we were towing. All's well that ends well; we had a spare module
and coil and it didn't take long to trouble shoot and repair. We changed
the coil too. The Patterson distributor is only a couple of years old and
the failed module is stamped made in Canada.
We happen to have an HEI guru in our little town that converts small body
distributors to HEI and does other distributor mods. In our conversations
he said that with the coil in the cap the coil gets too hot, fails, and
takes out the module. Even though the coil bench tests OK he said he
wouldn't use it again with out a run test with lots of heat.
The solution - a remote coil. MSD makes a cap for a remote coil,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8401 I don't know when I'll get
around to the conversion as I already have replacement spare parts on board
and have other higher priority projects.
On the other hand; why should we drive around knowing that our modules are
like light bulbs and you never know when one will burn out and strand us.
The mountain situation was on the weekend prior to the Jeepers Jamboree and
Jeeps were already coming in. We put warning devices out and parked the
Tracker around the curve with the flashers on. We were able to coast
backwards to a pull off on the canyon edge. We were lucky this time. Maybe
we should change priorities?
MSD says; <<<These modified HEI dust covers allow you to remove the stock
HEI coil in your distributor cap and replace it with an externally mounted
coil. By going with an external coil, you increase the reliability and
performance of the stock HEI system.>>> HEI guru says he will do a write up
for us on the module problem and the remote coil conversion. We look
forward to comments from the electronics knowledgeable. Kirk
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Module failure - a solution? [message #139752 is a reply to message #139742] |
Thu, 18 August 2011 02:19  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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OR
You can gap the plugs to .040".
Replace the module with one made by AC Delco.
Use plenty of Dielectric grease on the module when you mount it.
Verify that you have no open plug wires.
I agree that a bad coil can destroy a module. So can the other things listed above. It seems easier and cheaper to just replace a bad coil.
That said I see no downside for what you are doing. Electrically it is the same thing as long as the wiring is reasonable short. I'm not sure where you are going to find a place to mount a remote coil that is cooler and drier than the one currently mounted on top of the cap.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Module failure - a solution? [message #139835 is a reply to message #139765] |
Thu, 18 August 2011 14:56 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| Surbo wrote on Thu, 18 August 2011 07:19 |
| Ken Burton wrote on Thu, 18 August 2011 02:19 |
OR
You can gap the plugs to .040".
Replace the module with one made by AC Delco.
Use plenty of Dielectric grease on the module when you mount it.
Verify that you have no open plug wires.
I agree that a bad coil can destroy a module. So can the other things listed above. It seems easier and cheaper to just replace a bad coil.
That said I see no downside for what you are doing. Electrically it is the same thing as long as the wiring is reasonable short. I'm not sure where you are going to find a place to mount a remote coil that is cooler and drier than the one currently mounted on top of the cap.
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Ken;
I agree with you, EXCEPT, DO NOT USE DIELECTRIC GREASE on the module, dielectric grease is an insulator. The correct grease to use on the module is HEAT TRANSFER grease to keep the module cool. Using dielectric grease is the cause of many module failures due to overheating. You can get the heat transfer grease at GM, Radio Shack or from most electronic stores.
Bob Drewes in SESD
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You are correct.
That was a wording error on my part. The AC Delco modules all come with a tube of the appropriate grease. Use it.
I have some silver bearing grease that is used on computer CPU's that I use. It costs half the price of the module to buy a tube of it. So I recommend to most to use the grease packaged with the new module.
Thanks for the correction Bob.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Module failure - a solution? [message #139960 is a reply to message #139742] |
Fri, 19 August 2011 00:34 |
Richard Brown
Messages: 281
Registered: May 2009
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The heat sink grease I use on CPUs is called Arctic Silver 5. It has colloidal silver mixed in a heat-transfering grease. It costs around $13 for a tiny syringe of it, but it takes a very small amount to do the job. It also takes a little while to become fully effective, but it cools very well during the burn-in period. Yes, it is definitely overkill, but if Arctic Silver won't keep it cool enough, nothing will in my opinion. Their website has instructions on how to use it for best effect.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm
Richard & Carol Brown
1974 Eleganza SE
"DILLIGAF"
Lindale, Tx. 75771
903-881-0192
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Richard & Carol Brown
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Module failure - a solution? [message #139961 is a reply to message #139917] |
Fri, 19 August 2011 01:34 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Thu, 18 August 2011 20:08 |
Ken,
You noted you use "silver bearing grease" is that grease with molybdenum in it?
Would the copper colored anti seize grease work?
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Burton
I have some silver bearing grease that is used on computer CPU's that I use.
Ken
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I have absolutely no idea. The purpose of the grease is heat transfer. The stuff I use is designed explicitly for heat transfer on IBM main frames. It was used when mounting some of the modules on our water cooled processors. I no longer have a source for it.
You can get very small tubes of similar stuff for use on small computers (like PCs) when mounting those little 1.25 inch square CPUs. Radio Shack wants around $10 for a very small tube.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Module failure - a solution? [message #139965 is a reply to message #139960] |
Fri, 19 August 2011 02:38 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Richard,
Thanks! I found it at Radio Shack for $10.49 a tube.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2216879&x=17&y=3
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Brown
The heat sink grease I use on CPUs is called Arctic Silver 5. It has
colloidal silver mixed in a heat-transfering grease. It costs around $13 for
a tiny syringe of it, but it takes a very small amount to do the job. It
also takes a little while to become fully effective, but it cools very well
during the burn-in period. Yes, it is definitely overkill, but if Arctic
Silver won't keep it cool enough, nothing will in my opinion. Their website
has instructions on how to use it for best effect.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm
Richard
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Module failure - a solution? [message #139971 is a reply to message #139965] |
Fri, 19 August 2011 03:42 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Robert Mueller wrote on Fri, 19 August 2011 02:38 |
Richard,
Thanks! I found it at Radio Shack for $10.49 a tube.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2216879&x=17&y=3
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Brown
The heat sink grease I use on CPUs is called Arctic Silver 5. It has
colloidal silver mixed in a heat-transfering grease. It costs around $13 for
a tiny syringe of it, but it takes a very small amount to do the job. It
also takes a little while to become fully effective, but it cools very well
during the burn-in period. Yes, it is definitely overkill, but if Arctic
Silver won't keep it cool enough, nothing will in my opinion. Their website
has instructions on how to use it for best effect.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm
Richard
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I think Fry's and Giga Parts also sell it.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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