[Wired1]

Just bought this 110 Defender with a 3.5 litre carburetted V8
And was a bit surprised the distributor was not connected to the coil and has no king lead. Obviously it's some kind of CDI ignition but I'd like to know what it is if anyone recognises it.

 

[PTSchram]

It's a GM HEI.

If you don't want it, I'll swap you a stock distributor for it.

Also, take a lot more pictures as I'd like to see how it was done on your truck as it looks like it required a LOT less work than the one I made five-ten years ago.

 

[Joemamma1954]

I have installed many HEI ignition on older point distributors years ago. FYI, the coil is in the cap itself and I used to replace the factory coil with Mallory coils. Also if this was used to replace a point ignition, the primary wire should be replaced with a larger gauge wire, because it did not have to saturate a higher capacity coil(which the HEI has).

 

[Joemamma1954]

By the way, you can remove the factory coil. It is of no use.