Duraspark or Pertronix
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 9
From: Western Washington
All the FE motors (what you have) had a 1/4 inch oil pump driveshaft, the only ones that got a bigger one were the industrial series called the FT. The only trucks that got those engines were heavy duty ones. But I suppose someone could have swapped one in, but it isn't likely. To make sure you could pull the distributor out and measure the hex key in the bottom.
I might have to get one of those HEI units, that does look too good to be true! I like the idea of opening up the plug gap, I have a friend with a 460 and a HEI on it and it runs nice!
Sam
I might have to get one of those HEI units, that does look too good to be true! I like the idea of opening up the plug gap, I have a friend with a 460 and a HEI on it and it runs nice!
Sam
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: tacoma
Thanks, that makes sense. I figure its not been swapped its a pretty stock truck, original owner had it to 2002 to according to the former owner who bought it from a dealer lot in 2002, but you never know.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
No secret I'm a fan of Duraspark. Pertronix point replacement module will solve your point problem at a reasonable price. The GM technology HEI system would be my last choice. Fitment problems can arise with air cleaners, even the hood on some vehicles. E-Bay Chinese manufactured units have been known to break their shaft and wipe out an engine. But, just my opinion. Good luck whichever you choose.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 11
From: Townsend, MT
The chinese coils are junk, and the modules are just as bad. If i were going to use HEI I would look into a DUI (Davis Unified Ignition) unit.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
Everyone has their opinions. I thought it was too good to be true too. I havent had one problem with mine since I installed it a year ago. Fires right up everytime. Took me about 30 minutes to install, and that was taking my time. As long as you put a 2 inch spacer between the carb and intake ($20) your golden, which is a good idea to do anyway because your carb doesnt get as hot. Even the stock air cleaner will fit after installing the spacer. IT IS NO WHERE NEAR THE HOOD! I am running a 4 inch tall chrome air cleaner and it has plenty of room.
Pertronix is good too, but you cant go in any store and buy a pertronix unit if it goes bad. All parts stores have all the replacement parts that are under the cap of this HEI unit.
Duraspark is good, but to many wires dangling under the hood. HEI is a much cleaner install. Here is the unit I got from CRT Performance, I would go with them if you decide to do so. Very good quality as well and worth every penny.
FORD FE HEI Distributor 332,352,360,390,406,410,427,428 + 8mm Spark Plug wires | eBay
Here is a 4B spacer that I got, although you might have to find a 2B if thats what you have on your truck right now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6008-2-THICK...bc0205&vxp=mtr
Pertronix is good too, but you cant go in any store and buy a pertronix unit if it goes bad. All parts stores have all the replacement parts that are under the cap of this HEI unit.
Duraspark is good, but to many wires dangling under the hood. HEI is a much cleaner install. Here is the unit I got from CRT Performance, I would go with them if you decide to do so. Very good quality as well and worth every penny.
FORD FE HEI Distributor 332,352,360,390,406,410,427,428 + 8mm Spark Plug wires | eBay
Here is a 4B spacer that I got, although you might have to find a 2B if thats what you have on your truck right now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6008-2-THICK...bc0205&vxp=mtr
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Petronix is simple and the only one I ever installed is still running fine 6 years later. BUT, for my money, I would go with the Durspark II Distributor, efi coil and GM module. It's easy to wire up and the coil gets full 12 volts. I did that on my 92 300-6 and it's the best system I've had, plus I scrounged all the parts so it cost zip and all the parts are easy to find and readily available if you ever need a replacement.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
Yeah, I have pertronix in 2 of my 69 mach 1's and they are about 6 years old now. But if I ever do go another route, I would put the same HEI unit that I put in my truck in my 2 mustangs. $139 for the dizzy and 8mm wires is a great deal. The HEI gets a full 12V too . Huge difference when I went from points to the HEI..........I cant complain. 
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: tacoma
Everyone has their opinions. I thought it was too good to be true too. I havent had one problem with mine since I installed it a year ago. Fires right up everytime. Took me about 30 minutes to install, and that was taking my time. As long as you put a 2 inch spacer between the carb and intake ($20) your golden, which is a good idea to do anyway because your carb doesnt get as hot. Even the stock air cleaner will fit after installing the spacer. IT IS NO WHERE NEAR THE HOOD! I am running a 4 inch tall chrome air cleaner and it has plenty of room.
Pertronix is good too, but you cant go in any store and buy a pertronix unit if it goes bad. All parts stores have all the replacement parts that are under the cap of this HEI unit.
Duraspark is good, but to many wires dangling under the hood. HEI is a much cleaner install. Here is the unit I got from CRT Performance, I would go with them if you decide to do so. Very good quality as well and worth every penny.
FORD FE HEI Distributor 332,352,360,390,406,410,427,428 + 8mm Spark Plug wires | eBay
Here is a 4B spacer that I got, although you might have to find a 2B if thats what you have on your truck right now:
#6008 2" THICK ALUMINUM CARBURETOR SPACER-HOLLEY/CARTER (u) | eBay
Pertronix is good too, but you cant go in any store and buy a pertronix unit if it goes bad. All parts stores have all the replacement parts that are under the cap of this HEI unit.
Duraspark is good, but to many wires dangling under the hood. HEI is a much cleaner install. Here is the unit I got from CRT Performance, I would go with them if you decide to do so. Very good quality as well and worth every penny.
FORD FE HEI Distributor 332,352,360,390,406,410,427,428 + 8mm Spark Plug wires | eBay
Here is a 4B spacer that I got, although you might have to find a 2B if thats what you have on your truck right now:
#6008 2" THICK ALUMINUM CARBURETOR SPACER-HOLLEY/CARTER (u) | eBay
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
Where is the dizzy you got? Link?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
has any one tried the duraspark from DUI?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: tacoma
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: tacoma
Got my HEI dizzy today for the 390 
. Man that thing is big. Been looking around saw that frozen distributors on 390FE's is common, also possible to pull the oil pump drive shaft out? I got the distributor moving somewhat free, probably 120 degrees back and forth, enough to set timing. I also read that under the points plate theres a spot to get a wrench on to turn the housing. Anyway my big fear is pulling the oil pump drive shaft. Anyone have any experience or ideas? Thanks, Corey
. Man that thing is big. Been looking around saw that frozen distributors on 390FE's is common, also possible to pull the oil pump drive shaft out? I got the distributor moving somewhat free, probably 120 degrees back and forth, enough to set timing. I also read that under the points plate theres a spot to get a wrench on to turn the housing. Anyway my big fear is pulling the oil pump drive shaft. Anyone have any experience or ideas? Thanks, Corey
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 54
From: Antelope Valley ,CA
only reason shaft comes out is if someone rebuilt motor and didn't put the retainer back on the shaft . so it's just pull dizzy and see what happens .
i've been lucky with a 289 and shaft stayed in dizzy and i was able to grab it before it fell out and dropped to bottom of pan . i used a magnetic 1/4 nut driver to install it .
i've been lucky with a 289 and shaft stayed in dizzy and i was able to grab it before it fell out and dropped to bottom of pan . i used a magnetic 1/4 nut driver to install it .
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 13
From: Bassett Virginia
only reason shaft comes out is if someone rebuilt motor and didn't put the retainer back on the shaft . so it's just pull dizzy and see what happens .
i've been lucky with a 289 and shaft stayed in dizzy and i was able to grab it before it fell out and dropped to bottom of pan . i used a magnetic 1/4 nut driver to install it .
i've been lucky with a 289 and shaft stayed in dizzy and i was able to grab it before it fell out and dropped to bottom of pan . i used a magnetic 1/4 nut driver to install it .
Yeah, I have pulled a many out and never had that happen.....knock on wood! I think you will be ok, just take your time when pulling it out.