which ignition system are you guys running? Im just starting to get my duck's in a row to start on my 390 rebuild. and was just wondering what one some of you like. I have a msd system on my torino(408w) that ive been happy with.

its going to be basically a stock rebuild. (depends of just how far gone it is now) but it won't be anything too radical.

 

I have a ford electronic on two of my cars and MSD on 2 others I really like the msd but the ford unit is more affordable on a stocker...if you have the room MSD is so nice!!

 

Many posters on this site over the years have relied on the Petronix, it is simple and very reliable. The Ford Duraspark is also good. IMHO





John

 

I use a Pertronix Ignitor in place of the points. A cheap kit (about $70 back then) and one of the best upgrades I ever did. However, not all coils will work well with it. I wound up buying the recommended Pertronix coil and it works fine. It did work with my old generic points coil until I had the CR bumped up a bit due to block and head resurfacing. Then it would sometimes bog down once fully warmed up. Switching to the Pertronix coil fixed the problem.

I bought the original Ignitor back when that's all that was available. The Ingitor II had a bad rep, although I'm not sure of the accuracy of that. If I had to do it over again, I'd buy the Pertronix Ignitor III. It offeres multiple sparks for a large portion of the rpm band and an internal rev limiter (if you actually need one).

It sort of depends on what you want. For a more reliable ignition, a Pertronix conversion kit is fine. For an all out race engine, MSD likely offers some advantages, although I"m not clear on what they are, so although my FE is a performance engine, I've never felt the need to go to MSD.

 

both my MSD units came from the auto wrecker...50bucks for one and 35 for the other..no warranty...but I lucked out and they work fine..and same with the dura-spark unit I put into the 65 T-bird...used ,cheep and it works...pertronix has a ignitor 3 now..kinda wonder why the need to change things...but then my "new "truck is a 54 flatty...really it's what your happy with..and can afford..

 

How do i Know which one will work for me? i have a 390 and stock distributor...

PerTronix 1281 - PerTronix Ignitor® Solid-State Ignition Systems - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

You have a number of options:

1/ Check out the applicability chart on their on-line catalog. Ford listings start on page 8 of this file:

http://www.pertronix.com/catalogs/pd...tronix2010.pdf

2/ You can call them as per the FAQ page here:

Application Questions and Answers

Here's an excerpt:

You may call our main office at 800-827-3758 for additional help. Before you call have the following information ready:

•Distributors make
•Distributor part number (located on the main housing before it tapers to the shaft)
•Vehicle or Equipment make, model and year
•Engine make and size
The more information you have about your vehicle or equipment the better.

3/ You can use their website Request for Help page:

Contract PerTronix Product Support

4/ Or you can get in touch with their rep (Marvin Grebow) direct through his e-mail:

marving@pertronix.com

 

wow you can't more direct then that !!

 

LOL.....just trying to help. I'd of merely listed the correct Kit, but I bought one for my Mallory Dist, so it's different.

 

thanks for the info. it looks like i'll be going with the pertronix billet dist. and 8mm wires with their flame thrower III coil

 

I still like my dura spark,,,,,

 

"If you can get over the GM part under your hood"

is a very valid, cheap and easy way to go. I just finished one up and am out of pocket under 100.00 and it performs fantastic. Took all of half an hour to wire up.

Carbed Ford Message Board :: View topic - Convert your Ford to GM HEI Ignition

Whatever you decide good luck with it. I'm a fan of runs great and money still in my pocket.

 

I had a Pertronix unit until it burned up. I couldn't afford a new one . they cost $135.00 now . so I converted to a duraspark . an it works great

 

How long did it last? They can fail but are generally considered bullet proof.




John

 

They seem to be. I mis-diagnosed mine and bought a replacement, but in the end, it was a different issue. Oh well, I have a spare.

They can burn up if the wrong coil is used. A points coil may measure roughly 3 ohms on the primary. The Pertronix Ignitor can work with one, but it likes a 1.5 ohm primary better...produces a stronger spark, which I needed due to a higher CR. And that's the limit. If you use one of those EI coils with less than 1 ohm, it will burn it up. I think the Ignitor III can work with the lower ohmage EI coils.

The Pertronix works with magents, i.e. no moving parts. Mallory also makes a similiar points unit, but it works with an infra red beam that is broken by a rotating castle-shaped vane "thingy". I stayed away as I thought about dust causing problems, and even the light from internal arcing in the dist cap causing problems, although it is probably designed to work with strange light flashes.