Consider going back to points if not the HEI. The HEI is a really really good ignition. I have run them in race cars and they work very well. Tom sells his version, Deve (a member here, also Deve's tech net) has a method of converting a stock distributor to HEI. I have his parts, just have not gotten around to doing a conversion yet.
That being said, in a restoration, running an HEI does require some wiring modifications to be able to take advantage of the improved spark of an HEI. If you are not inclined to mess with the wiring, points are a pretty good option.
Here is the thing though. Using points, or for that matter even a Petronix, is only as good as the condition of the distributor. So for example, a 1962 2403 distributor (55 and up regular production, over the counter replacement for the earlier models) is now a 57 year old unit. Two years ago I purchased and rebuilt a Sun 404 machine so I could rebuild my distributors. I have put about a dozen used 2403 units on the machine, one grungier then the next, and none of them came up to specification with respect to the mechanical advance, and a couple of them have had main shafts so worn as to be unusable. As to the mechanical advance, its either broken pins, springs, rusted advance weights, or sludge so thick nothing can move. Once cleaned up, weights polished, lubricated and put back together, and the rest of the mechanics check out (not overly worn lobes), you can install good quality points and a fresh condenser, make sure the dwell is within specification, and off you go. Good quality heavy duty Echlin points or Standard points are good to at least 5500 rpm. Good, reliable and not all that troublesome.
The Petronix is not a high performance ignition. Its just a replacement trigger for the points. So instead of giving your ride a tune up once in a while (which I think is just pure therapy, that and a cup of coffee on a nice Saturday morning to do that tune up), you theoretically don't ever have to think about doing anything other then change the plugs, cap and wires.
So you have some alternatives. BTW, if you don't have access to anyone who can rebuild a distributor, here is one excellent resource.
http://www.masonracingignitions.comA good guy, quiet, immaculate shop, knows what he is doing, fair pricing. He freshened up a vertex magneto for my 261 this past spring that I had not run since the middle 90s. He did a terrific job and fair pricing. Has all kinds of vintage ignitions, Mallory ect. that he can build and is a wealth of knowledge on that stuff.
