Upgraded to HEI and now the tach jumps around

What was the original idle speed? What happens at higher RPM?

Just guessing because lack of information. It could be too much gap in reluctor, or wiring from pickup, where the path is too long, to close to plug wires, or no twisted pair. A look with a scope on the (-) terminal would provide certainty.

Original idle was 750. The tach acts the same at any RPM. Wire I'm using is the same as with the electronic ignition I replaced but routing has changed a bit so I'll check that out and maybe re-reroute it. What do you mean by twisted pair? Could the same reluctor gap make a difference between 2 different ignition system?