I swear the incompetence of autoparts employees in Iowa is astounding. I went to Autozone, Advance Auto, Napa and several others in the Des Moines area to get some heat transfer compound for a Fiero V6 ignition module and they all kept trying to sell me dielectric grease. I tried to explain to them the difference between the two and they just shrugged and acted like they never heard of it before. I even suggested that they pull a module for me so I could show them the stuff I was talking about as usually the module comes with a little packet of it included. Of course they wouldnt or they wouldnt open the packet to see what was inside. I didnt want to buy a module just to get the compound. Finally I found a place, O'Reilly's that took the time and found about 6 packets that they sell induvidually so I figured I better snatch them all up so I wouldnt have to deal with this again anytime soon. It seems to me that in the past I could buy it in a tube but, I suppose that would be just a little TOO convenient here in Des Moines. OK, I am donr with my rant

Oh, and BTW your module WILL act up and eventually burn out if it isnt tranfsering the heat to the distributor body efficiently. I even considered going to a computer store and buying CPU compound as Im sure it would have worked. I wouldnt doubt if it isnt the same stuff. My 86SE was missing in the upper RPMs after warming up and I determined that the module was at fault so I changed to a known good module and noticed that the original module didnt have very good amount of heat transfer compound. As a test, I then changed back to the original module and once I procured the compound and applied it, viola !! It works great now

I was just thinking that maybe this might have something to do with fellow members modules failing early if perhaps they were using the dielectric grease on the module instead of the heat transfer compound.

[This message has been edited by Erik (edited 02-15-2005).]

You can buy that stuff in a Tube....Just go to your local Radio Shack and ask them for heat sink compound. generally comes in about a 1/2 oz. tube and if memory serves it was only a couple bucks.

thanks, I considered doing just that, probably still will, but I lucked out at O'Reilly's and who knows, I may never use the packets up now that I've got them.

quote Originally posted by Erik: I was just thinking that maybe this might have something to do with fellow members modules failing early if perhaps they were using the dielectric grease on the module instead of the heat transfer compound.

I'm sure you are right. Most people on PFF seem to use the terms "dielectric grease" and "heat sink compound" interchangably. There is a difference ... both in appearance and in heat transfer properties! Radio Shack is probably the most convenient and reliable source for the proper stuff.

Go to Radio Shack and ask for Part# 276-1372 (Heat Sink Compound) for $1.97/tube .23oz tube.
I just bought some yesterday. Picked up two tubes. For the same reasons.

Do you think the high end computer heat sink compound would be any better. IE AS5 (Arctic Silver 5) It is a bit pricey. At 21$ for a 12g small tube.

http://www.vibecomputers.com/index.cfm?loc=iview&if=n&vID=200800

However this is suppose to be the best Thermal Interface Stuff on the Planet. We you are talking about getting that last 2-3c temp drop this is the stuff that geeks use.

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85GT 4spd MSD Everything, Big Cam and Nitrous. www.captfiero.com

I think Arctic Silver would be overkill. The white goop (with zinc oxide) should work fine.

the radio shack heat sink paste is fine, the modules come with dialectric grease from the parts stores. The deal is that the air between the housing and the module is a great insulator, using any kind of paste to make physical contact between the two is a good idea, heat sink past is a product specifically made with physical properties to promote heat transfer. arctic white is probably overkill, but dialectric grease is not enough.