electronic conversion/ Prestolite-mopar

[Alan]

Joe; I did that swap back in the early 70's. Only drove my Avanti about 100 miles. Coming up the Hollywood Freeway, just before the Sherman Way off ramp, it died, just like you turned off the key. I thought it was the module too, but after tracing everything down it was one of the wires from the pick up coil that broke off, but the plastic was still holding it together. Replaced the pick up coil and it ran trouble free for about 50,000 miles.

[PackardV8]

Joe; I did that swap back in the early 70's. Only drove my Avanti about 100 miles. Coming up the Hollywood Freeway, just before the Sherman Way off ramp, it died, just like you turned off the key. I thought it was the module too, but after tracing everything down it was one of the wires from the pick up coil that broke off, but the plastic was still holding it together. Replaced the pick up coil and it ran trouble free for about 50,000 miles.

I recall reading something in Popular Mechanics back in the day. Mopar was getting complaints about their new ignition and were having the dealership mechanics return any modules they warrantied. When they were back home and tested, the majority were still working fine. The problem was thought to be more wiring and resistance related than actually in the module.

jack vines

[JoeHall]

I know lots of Stude folks have had good experiences with the MOPAR conversion. But there's also no shortage of MOPAR folks on the internet who curse them, and have converted over to other systems. However, many blame the problems on off shore replacement parts, which is all too familiar to us too.

[TWChamp]

I worked at a MoPar dealership in the late 70's and 80's, and did replace quite a few of the ignition parts. When I test drove the car, and was checking for an ignition problem, I carried a bottle of cold water to dump on the control unit if the car quit. This would get me back to the shop where I'd install a new unit.

[jrlemke]

What is required to use the GM module with this swap?

[StudeRich]

What is required to use the GM module with this swap?

Here is the link to Bill Hamilton's site mentioned in Post #13, he's a great guy and can help with Ignition Systems as well as his awesome Fuellie Systems.
Another Washington State Brother.

http://hamiltonfuelinjection.com/

[kxet]

Here is pix. Don't know if it will load.

[alpayed]

Hi Guys
I wrote this article which you can find on Bob Jonstone's site:

http://www.studebaker-info.org/tech/atyler/atylerHEI.pdf

Anyone wishing to use the Mopar parts may find useful.
You can use just about any HEI module around but it may have different advance curve.
I did not get too hung up about a slightly different curve because the Hawk ran so much better with this conversion anyway and has so for the last 5 years.
Allan

[JoeHall]

Hi Guys
I wrote this article which you can find on Bob Jonstone's site:

http://www.studebaker-info.org/tech/atyler/atylerHEI.pdf

Anyone wishing to use the Mopar parts may find useful.
You can use just about any HEI module around but it may have different advance curve.
I did not get too hung up about a slightly different curve because the Hawk ran so much better with this conversion anyway and has so for the last 5 years.
Allan

Excellent article. The insides of my EFI'd distributor, which has been converted for Electronic Spark Control, looks nearly identical to yours, as to reluctor and pickup coil. The differences are: no vacuum advance on the outside, and no fly-weights below. The ECU controls the advance curve, and was programmed to match the curve for early Delco, per the Stude 59-64 Shop Manual.
Phasing is kinda tricky, upon initial setup; as you suggested, a hole in a spare cap is the way to go. For coil, I have a GM epoxy, but was told any coil with same ohm resistance would work. That is noteworthy, since there are modern coils that look like OEM Stude, yet are designed to work with electronic ignition setups.

Again, excellent article. Thanks !