Ignition System: Description and Operation

HEI Distributor With External Coil:

Wiring Diagram For Engine No Start:

PURPOSE:
This system controls fuel combustion by providing a spark to ignite the compressed air/fuel mixture at the correct time. To provide improved engine performance, fuel economy, and control of exhaust emissions, the ECM controls distributor spark advance (timing) with the Electronic Spark Timing (EST) system.

CONSTRUCTION:
The High Energy Ignition (HEI) system consists of the ignition coil, ignition module, distributor assembly (cap, rotor, magnetic pick-up, distributor shaft etc..), secondary wires, spark plugs, and the Electronic Spark Timing (EST) portion of the ECM.