I took a look in the archives and did not find much.Is the hei ignition transplant from a gm truck the way to go on my 86 cj 7 with the 258.I am presently going to do somethink about my leaking carb { a holley of unknown origin }I have been lead to a motorcraft 2100 and would not mind a ignition upgrade.Question is,is the hei still an upgrade of choice and are there some write ups on both the carb and hei? aloha Dave <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Is there something wrong with the old dist.?

IMO, if there is nothing wrong with the stock ignition, leave it in.
If there is nothing wrong with the stock dist, there will be no difference in performance between the two.

There are many different opinions on ignition upgrades. Some will say there's no way it can improve your performance over a tuned up stock system, other will swear they experienced significant improvement. sort of like the Throttle body spacer debate.

Here is a writeup on HEI ignition adapted to a 258 with links to a bunch of other write ups on HEI.
HEI on a 258

The writer has done HEI and TFI conversions and says TFI is better (another widely believed opinion). Here is his TFI write up.
TFI on a 258

I did the latter "upgrade", sans new advance springs, just for fun. At the time I had a damaged head on (bent valves and worn guids) and it seemed to help a little. I suspect Sunder is right and on most 258s there will not be any improvement over a properly functioning, well maintained stock system. The "Improvements" many people report could, in many cases, be explained by the fact that their stock system was not up to snuff. In other words, they needed a tuneup. I have since repaired my engine and I'm still using the TFI coil with the Ford 300ci dist cap and wires. The Jeep runs great. I'm sure it would run great with the stock coil, cap and wires but see no need to experiment now. Either conversion will work just fine with a MC 2100 carb. The MC2100 was one of the best things I did for my engines performance on and off road, but I converted from a POS holley. It is a simple carb and I haven't had to mess with it at all since putting it on about three years ago. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I completely agree about the 2100 carb. And mine runs great with the factory distributor. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Good post Pete. I'll leave this alone as you guys have done so good.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Thanks guys,great links and as always there are now more options and never a direct yes or no.Gotta luv it.I will start with the 2100 motorcraft carb.How can we find out the most popular ignition? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Keep in mind the most popular is not always the best.

In terms of type being used, number wise the most popular is probably stock.

Do you mean the most popular "upgrade"?

It's not scientific but you could post polls on all the Jeep forums you can find. The problem with polls are, well, many. One problem is, if the majority of participants are "mod happy", let's say (and I'll bet they are) a lot will say whatever mod they have done is the best simply because they have done it. Fred Blackstone has written a couple of essays on the phenomena. I can tell you around my 'hood the TFI up grade is the most popular ignition mod (besides the ECM bypass). I believe it delivers the biggest bang for the buck so to speak. I know of several others that have done it in my Club but not one that has gone HEI. There may be one or two that have used Aftermarket ignition modules. I like the stock one, (it has never let me down and if it does I can replace it for $15).
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

By far the most popular is STOCK ignition. Remember if it ever breakes the parts are in EVERY parts house in the country! Aftermarket parts have to be ordered and mailed!
As was said above There will be no gain from installing another brand of ignition, plugs or wires! You'll be wasteing your money.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I did a TFI on my '88 Wagoneer, too. Didn't publish it yet on 4x4Wire, but it's on my personal site here.

I'd assume the newer Ford parts would be easier to find than the older Jeep/Ford parts. The trick (for me) was to put a decal inside the engine compartment with the details, listing parts and donor vehicle ('84 F350 w/460). I think the replacement parts were cheaper. Well, not the wires.

I did the HEI on my 84 cj7 because it was missing just off the idle and really missing when pulling away from stop signs, lights,etc. Didn,t realize it at the time but the guys here are right, the stock system is good, it just needed a major tuneup but the HEI has its good points, I was able to clean up the engine bay and lose the amc ignition box and clean up some wiring so overall I,m pretty happy with it.