Looks like it may be a Pertronix Ignitor (electronic) module. I have one in the dizzy on my 289 of my '50 F1. Absolutely no problems for 5+years now. I've heard they have a tendency to quit all at once when they do decide to crap out. If its bad, it'll sure cause fits with getting any spark. I've kept my old points and condensor as a backup just in case mine should decide to strand me some day. Good luck. -Ken

 

Please don't take offense, but from this and other posts I'm not sure you're cut out for the whole old truck thing. Maybe the best thing is to sell the truck and go back to Mustangs. Any 60 year old vehicle, be it car, truck, boat, bicycle, rickshaw, etc is going to have some issues. If you want something to start and run each and everytime then you're probably better off leaving old trucks alone.

Bobby

 

After a second look at the pic, I think Ross may be right about the 'Po Boys Pertronix' ... I don't see the magnet that Pertronix uses around the dist. shaft that I recall on mine. Will have to look when I get home tonight. -Ken

 

http://www.cranecams.com/403.pdf

Like this only crappier....

 

So, it cranks just fine it just won't fire?....there's a big difference between no crank and no fire

 

it is a pertronix......Ignitor. Says So on the other side.. lol.... i pulled the button off then took the pic. also put some gas in the carb. nothing. not getting fire.

 

Well, like Ken said, when they die, they die all at once. Does your truck have a generator or an alternator, 6v or 12v?

 

alternator, 12v

 

bobby, please don't tell me what I'm cut out for or not. That's a little over the top even put in a nice way. I've had a bunch of these old truck. Some I've left completely as bought (stock) and two i swapped over to mustang EFI running gear.....yep, all by myself. you are partially correct in the fact that old vehicles MAY have issues.. ....but you didn't say MAY. Case In point. The 55 F100 i sold last year never gave me an issue, that's right not once. Same old 2v carb and all. In 2005 i sold a 66 F100 with a factory 352 big block in it. Drove that one 5 hours one way to Panama City, FL and then back to deliver an engine. And You guessed it, never one issue. Just these 2 trucks are examples of the fact that something old will start and drive every time because i kept each of those two for several years without so much as a battery replacement. Several of my mustangs were old 66 coupes. carb, points, etc. I'm not perfect or even good. But I've had tons of old cars and my nickname around here is even related to me fixing up old vehicles. So in the hopes of enjoying my time on this board please allow me to ask some question or whatever and just help me if you can. And like you, i don't mean to offend you.

 

I'm outta here for a while, sorry.

 

Wayne,

You're right. Its not my place to tell you what you are, or are not, cut out for. I was out of line.
This is a friendly place and open to all sorts of truck enthusiasts whether we all agree with each other or not. Pardon my rudeness.

Bobby

 

Wayne, you might call Pertronix and whine about it, their early models had problems and from what I've heard they were pretty good about making it right. Any idea how long it's been in there?

 

Wayne, my final comment on the Pertronix is really more of a question and maybe something for you to check out. I'm curious if the pic you show for your distributor shows the full contents of what you found under the rotor? The Pertronix module also uses a round plastic ring (called a shutter wheel I think) that fits over the dist. cam. Here's a link to a pic that shows what I'm referring to. http://image.mustangmonthly.com/f/92...onix_wires.jpg It won't work without it in place and 'adjusted' to the module itself. I was just wondering if you had removed it for the picture or if that might be part of the problem? Anyway, if it still won't work after checking things out and you're convinced its a Pertronix problem, then I'd do like Ross suggests, "whine a little" and see what happens. If that doesn't help, break down, get another Pertronix and drop it in. -Ken

 

If you decide to ditch the Petronix you might want to consider an HEI ignition. I'm using one in my 302. It's relatively inexpensive at less than $100 for the whole distributor and easy to wire...

 

I went Verns route, I got an HEI,and also a one wire aternater, wich eleminated the voltage regulater, the coil and the electronic egnition ( its all in the HEI) with all that confusing wiring. I now have 0ne wire to the distributer, one wire to the alternater (for 12v feed and one out of the distributer for the tack) Nice and clean nice and easy, I love it.