Duraspark or Pertronix?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
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Duraspark or Pertronix?
I have a 78 f250 camper special 4wd with a stock 460 and I was wondering about changing the igntion on it. What duraspark does it have? I can't remember off the top of my head. Would changing or upgrading the ignition with a flame thrower coil and better plug wires really help? Runs pretty good starts a little hard. Duraspark or pertronix? Just need some advise. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 2
From: The Lone Star State
I have a 78 f250 camper special 4wd with a stock 460 and I was wondering about changing the igntion on it. What duraspark does it have? I can't remember off the top of my head. Would changing or upgrading the ignition with a flame thrower coil and better plug wires really help? Runs pretty good starts a little hard. Duraspark or pertronix? Just need some advise. Thanks.
You can check out under the Electrical section of the "stickies" here for a lot more information on tuning and upgrades.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...mpilation.html
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
Stock would be the Duraspark II. No "need" for any upgrades to it. It can benefit from re-curving for a slight performance gain. Swapping out the coil for an aftermarket one usually causes more harm than good as it's difficult to get the right resistance coil. It will handle .040 to .045 plug gap as is. Opinions will vary, but I've never found a better system for a stock engine.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 351
Likes: 7
From: Plumas Lake, CA
Ok the other side...
I chose to remove the Duraspark. Main reason: Upgraded the wiring harness in my truck and the new harness did not support Duraspark.
Let me tell you what I encountered to save you any misery if you too chose to go HEI. Pertronix was not the answer. I too have a semi-stock 460 so this may or may not ring true to you. I tried 2 separate Pertronix set-ups. Both identical, both identical components. It was the flamethrower II distro and coil. Neither of them worked on my motor. Both hooked up identically, verified, and re-verified. They would not get spark to all the cylinders.
I knew in the back of my mind when purchasing the first pertronix system that, I should have just ponied up the cash for the MSD.
Returned the Pertronix, purchased the MSD 6AL box, Distro, coil, and never looked back. I have my plugs indexed and gapped at .060 and this thing supports the spark!
Pertronix WAS a good brand at one time but their quality has seemed to slip as of late. It may very well work for you but it did not for me. The MSD system was plugged to the same exact wire as the pertronix and works great.
Let me tell you what I encountered to save you any misery if you too chose to go HEI. Pertronix was not the answer. I too have a semi-stock 460 so this may or may not ring true to you. I tried 2 separate Pertronix set-ups. Both identical, both identical components. It was the flamethrower II distro and coil. Neither of them worked on my motor. Both hooked up identically, verified, and re-verified. They would not get spark to all the cylinders.
I knew in the back of my mind when purchasing the first pertronix system that, I should have just ponied up the cash for the MSD.
Returned the Pertronix, purchased the MSD 6AL box, Distro, coil, and never looked back. I have my plugs indexed and gapped at .060 and this thing supports the spark!
Pertronix WAS a good brand at one time but their quality has seemed to slip as of late. It may very well work for you but it did not for me. The MSD system was plugged to the same exact wire as the pertronix and works great.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Sandy Eggo
i just put in a Pertronix Flame Thrower 3 and couldn't be happier. Regardless of what the box says, all the guts are made in China nowadays. The truck starts easier, runs smoother and pulls harder. I'll be interested to see how the fuel mileage pans out, since the new module functions similar to an MSD box.
There wasn't anything "wrong" with the Duraspark, but there wasn't really anything "right" with it either. It requires a lot of BS wiring behind the dash, I rewired my cab and opted for something that wash a much simpler solution.
There wasn't anything "wrong" with the Duraspark, but there wasn't really anything "right" with it either. It requires a lot of BS wiring behind the dash, I rewired my cab and opted for something that wash a much simpler solution.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 647
Likes: 10
From: SOUTHBURY CT
i just installed a pertonix iginition. yesterday, and was easy and works great.
to the guy that had problems, i think with the single point ,single vacuum distributor, you want to use pertronix 1. only . 2 and 3 don't work. part number 1281
to the guy that had problems, i think with the single point ,single vacuum distributor, you want to use pertronix 1. only . 2 and 3 don't work. part number 1281
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
Duraspark II seems to be a good system as long as wiring is OK. My '78 is still running the same ignition box and wiring as installed originally. Works great. I do have a backup box behind the seat (Motocraft from Rock Auto) but have not needed it. The Motocraft box is recommended as the best... but it is nice to know I can get replacement parts in a pinch at most AP stores if needed.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 9
From: Western Washington
I had a Pertronix but it only lasted about 2 years. Not sure if I just got a bad one or what, but it's easy to put the points back in if something happens.
I'm working on a hybrid duraspark/HEI/TFI ignition at the moment, duraspark dizzy, 4 pin HEI module and a 90's Ford TFI coil. I got the idea here: Dirt cheap Ignition
I'll let ya'll know how it works out.
Sam
I'm working on a hybrid duraspark/HEI/TFI ignition at the moment, duraspark dizzy, 4 pin HEI module and a 90's Ford TFI coil. I got the idea here: Dirt cheap Ignition
I'll let ya'll know how it works out.
Sam
Senior User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
I had a Pertronix but it only lasted about 2 years. Not sure if I just got a bad one or what, but it's easy to put the points back in if something happens. I'm working on a hybrid duraspark/HEI/TFI ignition at the moment, duraspark dizzy, 4 pin HEI module and a 90's Ford TFI coil. I got the idea here: Dirt cheap Ignition I'll let ya'll know how it works out. Sam
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