CJ10 - swapping CEC ignition for HEI

[OzRod]

Hi guys. New to the forum and failry new to Jeeps.

I've been trying to help my neighbour out with his CJ10 with a 258. We want to trash the whole CEC ignition system and go with something else. I've been looking at a HEI distributor on ebay.

I've read everywhere (but not fully understood) about the nutter bypass, etc, etc,... but seriously, swappping the coil, dist, cec, ballast resistor and everything in between for an HEI and 12 volts HAS to be the simplest option right?

As for the BBD carby is there anything i should know about? Is it easier to just swap it with a manually-tuned carby? If so what are my options?

Sorry for all the questions guys. Great forum.

[wee doggie]

The CJ10 won't have the CEC (computerised engine control) ignition, so don't bother trying to work out the nutter bypass. What you are looking at is just the Motorcraft breakerless ignition (silver box)and a manually adjustable Carter carby. The BBD Carter has a stepper motor on the back side of it, I've got one but it's on a YJ, never seen it on our CJ's. Untill the Motorcraft module craps itself just leave it. If you must upgrade you can use the Motorcraft system to drive an MSD to boost spark or just upgrade to the DUI distributor. If you go with the DUI you could leave the Motorcraft system in place as a back up. The DUI will give you a simple one wire hook up. Be careful of cheap HEI distributors, pay the extra for a Davis Unified Ignition (DUI).
As for carbys, a Holley 350 would be the most common. A 390 4 barrel is an option but would probably require a new manifold as well.

[OzRod]

Thanks a bunch for clearing that up wee doggie. As you can tell I'm completely unfamiliar with the Jeep stuff.

Anyone else here running DUI stuff?

I have no problem paying extra for quality stuff. The alternative is a CRT HEI on ebay for $250 landed. The DUI HEI is about $420 landed. Descissions, decissions.

Thanks again.