HEI issues??

[upwindpoint]

Hi all-
So I installed an HEI dizzy in the 60 and have been having some tuning issues. (the stock dizzy was shot) I'm hoping someone can shed some light, as the HEI thing is new to me.
At idle and above about 1900 rpm the thing runs great, but in between it runs badly. Very hesitant, especially cold, chokes, gasps, and generally runs like crap. I backed the advance to about 11 or 12 degrees- which helped- but it's still not right.
With the vacuum disconnected I've noticed the mechanical advance takes quite a while to do anything. From idle up to about 1500 it actually retards slightly (maybe 1-2 degrees) and then finally starts to advance. I'm thinking the springs are too heavy? The weights too light? Or is this normal and I just need to back off the static timing even more?
The HEI is specifically made for the 60, by an (apparently) reputable shop. I'm hoping it's just a tuning issue and not a problem with the dizzy itself, so I'll refrain from complaining the company just yet.
Any thoughts would be very appreciated!

 

[brian]

you're not going to like this but.
ditch the hei and go back to an oem 60 dizzy. they are generally reguarded as the bee's knees as far as dizzies.
alot of people go with them in teh 40 series.

 

[jdhall3]

Dont know what to tell you...let me think about it. Mine runs great and has run great from the start. Will never look back!

JD

 

[grant5127]

start off with the stock 7* and work from that.... so is this a DUI or one from HEI Dizzy or where??

 

[upwindpoint]

Brian- yes, I've seen the back and forth on stock vs. HEI. Seems to be quite a difference in opinion. Had I read all of the arguments, I might have just put in a stock replacement, but I have the HEI now- and the original is a mess.
Grant- I started from 7 and worked back in 2* increments. I'm at about 11* now, with noticeable improvement. I'm a bit concerned that too much more will start to get me into the realm of detonation at higher RPMs. And it is the HEI Dizzy.
Thanks for the response so far!

 

[Pin_Head]

What makes you think that the running problems are ignition related? Ignitions don't care if it is cold or not, they still spark at the same time.

 

[upwindpoint]

pin head-
Because it actually ran better with the old dizzy- despite the wobbly shaft- and that is the only thing that has changed. The carb was totally redone about six months ago and has worked great since, I have no apparent vacuum leaks anywhere (i've been checking), so I've got to assume it's the new dizzy.
Other sugestions?

 

[grant5127]

Hey upwindpoint,...... anything jump-out at you yet?.......