confused on distributor

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Apr 22, 2003 | 09:51 AM

Ron Kelley

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: ohio

confused on distributor

Hello all. Looking for some help in clearing up some of my confusion. I have a 71 F250 with a 68 390 2bbl carb. I have the original carb with points. The engine will run every time but does not stay running with out giving it gas plus it smokes a lot and is pretty much worn out. Looking into a rebuild and trying to get all my ducks in a row before I yank the motor. I want to get rid of the point system and have been reading up on it but still confused. From reading the posts on here it sounds like the pertronix is the way to go. My question is what exactly do I need. Do I need the whole dist. or just the assembly that goes under the cap and replaces the points. What about the coil?? I am sure that I have the original coil and do not know what the resistance of that one and is it compatible or not. I would like maybe some help in where to get these items and maybe the part number if you remember it.

Thanks for any help. THis forum is great have learned a lot since I found it.

RJK

Apr 22, 2003 | 10:40 AM

William

Logistics Pro

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 3,565

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From: Sun River St. George

confused on distributor

Ron, I would core the old dist, install the Pertronix. Then add the adapter, flat cap and long nose rotor available from JEGS for 20 or so bucks. Next I'd add 8mm Ford wires, platnium plugs and a Pertronix or other aftermarket coil. Gap the plugs at 0.60. I have over 30K miles on this setup and it works.

Apr 24, 2003 | 01:30 AM

Ron Kelley

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From: ohio

confused on distributor

Core the Dist.?? Do you mean replace the whole assembly or just the guts of the original? Also would you go through Jegs for the parts or another supplier? Thanks for the reply any little bit of info helps.

RJK

Apr 24, 2003 | 09:38 AM

Mike G

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Joined: Nov 2002

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From: Littleton, CO

confused on distributor

Ron:
I believe, or how I read "core" is to bring the old unit into your local parts store as a "core" return and simply buy a new standard replacement over-the-counter unit. This will give you an all new distributor to start your build-up with.
--MG

Apr 26, 2003 | 01:02 AM

Ron Kelley

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From: ohio

confused on distributor

That is the way I read it also. Have not checked the local parts store for a whole dist.

RJK

Apr 26, 2003 | 03:25 AM

ADSf100

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Joined: Jan 2003

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confused on distributor

I would like to convert my 71 360 to the flat cap w/ 8mm plug wire set-up. I looked on JEGS and could not figure out the right parts to buy. Can someone please help me out with part numbers or specs to buy for this conversion?

Thanks!
Dale

Apr 27, 2003 | 06:55 AM

karljay

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,281

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From: Northern California

confused on distributor

The converson to a big cap is really easy. You can get if from jegs or ANY local parts store. Just go in and ask for a cap and rotor for a newer mustang (say 85~90 w/5.0). You should be given a large cap and rotor AND the spacer that goes under the cap. Some kits don't include the spacer.

The spacer goes on your stock dist, then the rotor and cap go on. These aren't special, just stock equipment for newer fords.

Some sell alum lead caps some use brass, I've heard brass is better.

As for wires, I measured out several sets and went with a GM 454 HEI set from MSD, they fit length wise but use the straight plug fittings, angle on the center ones would be better.