While it is not necessary by any means, the HEI is a great system, I am a true believer. I put one on a Clark aircraft tug I use to have with a Hercules engine, converted to 12v of course. I did nothing to the starter as it never ran for more than about 5 seconds after the conversion. The conversion made a really useful unit out of the tug, a long way from 6 volt, points starting. If you are going to 12v anyway, the HEI is a no brainer for me. It will be painfully obvious to on-lookers where the 12v would not if you retain the generator. On the tug I just reset the regulator for 12v, didn't change anything else besides the lights and battery.
