Upgrading ignition components
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Upgrading ignition components
Good morning FTE!
So I'm looking to upgrade the ignition components on my '75 F250. Sounds easy right? There's a little twist, my Dad and I put a 429 in it out of a '71 Mercury Monterey. I'm looking a the MSD (Ignition Coil, Blaster 2, Canister, Round, Oil Filled, Red, 45,000 V) and to upgrade the coil and as far as wires, I've seen 8-10mm. Is there a recommended size? One last component for right now, does anyone know about the PerTronix Ignitor Solid-State Ignition Systems?
The engine supposedly has an RV cam in it, but I'm not sure. Dad had a local shade tree mechanic rebuild the engine, but my plans are to take it to a reputable builder and make sure it's a solid engine. No need to hop it up too much, the truck only gets driven a few times a year and it's too hot to drive it in the summer in central Louisiana.
Thanks for any advice!!!
So I'm looking to upgrade the ignition components on my '75 F250. Sounds easy right? There's a little twist, my Dad and I put a 429 in it out of a '71 Mercury Monterey. I'm looking a the MSD (Ignition Coil, Blaster 2, Canister, Round, Oil Filled, Red, 45,000 V) and to upgrade the coil and as far as wires, I've seen 8-10mm. Is there a recommended size? One last component for right now, does anyone know about the PerTronix Ignitor Solid-State Ignition Systems?
The engine supposedly has an RV cam in it, but I'm not sure. Dad had a local shade tree mechanic rebuild the engine, but my plans are to take it to a reputable builder and make sure it's a solid engine. No need to hop it up too much, the truck only gets driven a few times a year and it's too hot to drive it in the summer in central Louisiana.
Thanks for any advice!!!
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
I'm guessing the '71 motor still has the original points? I can vouch for the Pertronix kit; I've ran one in two separate vehicles. Very easy install, reliable, and a world of difference over points. Just make sure to wire it correctly with regard to the factory ballast resistor.
8-mm plug wires are fine.
8-mm plug wires are fine.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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I used the Pertronix 3 with their recommended coil and Ford Racing 10mm wires on my 460. Never had it running with stock setup so can't talk about improvement but it fires right up no problem. The Pertronix 3 has the built in rev limiter. So you don't need a separate ignition module or anything. Very clean ignition installation.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
The engine will have a distributor no matter what. The distributor may be breakerless, or have points. The Pertronix kit is to upgrade points to breakerless. Meaning it only is used if you have points in the first place. A '71 would have had points unless it has been upgraded.
Hard starting can be caused by a variety of problems, ignition related or not. It's best to troubleshoot the problem rather than throw parts at it in hopes that it fixes it.
Hard starting can be caused by a variety of problems, ignition related or not. It's best to troubleshoot the problem rather than throw parts at it in hopes that it fixes it.
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From: I live in no. ca.
I installed a msd ready to run, mainly because I wanted to get rid of all those plugs and excess wireing used with the ford electronic ign. I did not have a hard start problum
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I always like to keep the ignition parts "matched". As posted, the '71 would probably have been point style. Yes newer electronic ignitions can work better but points works OK.
If you are keeping the same distributor and points, I'd keep a stock or stock replacement coil. Same for the wires. Buy a parts store premium silicone replacement set for make/model/year of the transplanted engine. For plugs, simple works well on these rigs. Standard Autolights set a factory recommended gap (for the '71 engine) should work fine.
If you want to upgrade, a MSD box works fine with a points style distributor. If you go MSD, get the coil they recommend, a Blaster I believe. You may have to bypass the ballast resistor with the MSD per their instructions. With the stock style distributor/cap I'd suggest keeping plug gap as recommended for the original engine... MSD recommends opening up the gap but this can "overload" the small OE cap and rotor with higher voltage and may cause reliability and life problems.
I hear Petronix works well also but have never run one. Again, suggest you use their recommended coil and keep plug gaps close to stock.
If you are keeping the same distributor and points, I'd keep a stock or stock replacement coil. Same for the wires. Buy a parts store premium silicone replacement set for make/model/year of the transplanted engine. For plugs, simple works well on these rigs. Standard Autolights set a factory recommended gap (for the '71 engine) should work fine.
If you want to upgrade, a MSD box works fine with a points style distributor. If you go MSD, get the coil they recommend, a Blaster I believe. You may have to bypass the ballast resistor with the MSD per their instructions. With the stock style distributor/cap I'd suggest keeping plug gap as recommended for the original engine... MSD recommends opening up the gap but this can "overload" the small OE cap and rotor with higher voltage and may cause reliability and life problems.
I hear Petronix works well also but have never run one. Again, suggest you use their recommended coil and keep plug gaps close to stock.
Logistics Pro
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Tuning is probably more important than parts. Once you get your stuff, set the timing, then tune for max vacuum on the mixture screws.
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By hard starting I mean I have to crank it over a few more times than normal once it's warm, but will fire up and run fine. So I'm considering getting the MSD distributor, ignition box, wires and coil. All part of upgrading under the hood components to something a bit more modern and cleaner looking versions vs the autozone crap that is under there now, also for my plans for a better running engine.
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