76 Highboy (360) ignition upgrades

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Jan 20, 2017 | 11:18 AM

fromme87

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Joined: Oct 2003

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From: IL

76 Highboy (360) ignition upgrades

When I start my truck it seems to miss a little at high idle until it warms up some. I decided I would upgrade my ignition as the distributor looked to be original and I have already done plugs\wires. I bought a distributor from my local auto parts store with magnetic pickup (Duraspark 2). I think the coil and ignition box was replaced by a PO but I don't know when or why. They are FILKO brand? I am toying with the idea of a new coil to get a hotter spark and then an ignition box later. Part of this is to get this truck running better but it is also part in preparation for a rebuild/drop in a new performance 390. Will I see much performance increase with these and do I need to worry about the stock distrib going out at a faster pace with the other high performance parts? I couldn't stomach 350$ for the high performance distrib.

Parts I am considering:
MSD Ignition 6425 - Digital 6AL controller
MSD Ignition 8200 - Blaster 2 Ignition Coil

Thanks in advance.

Jan 21, 2017 | 02:07 AM

meangreen92

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Joined: Jul 2005

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On a stock engine, you likely wouldn't notice much difference over what you've got if you installed the best ignition available. Maybe a little more smoothness, some MPGs...
But probably not as much difference as you'd feel, swapping a 150,000 Duraspark system in place of a 100,000 mile points system...
Look for a genuine Ford/Motorcraft Duraspark box and coil. Aftermarket McParts ignition electronics are often followed by a spotty reputation no matter what vehicle make.
Never heard of Filko. Now my old '68 Cougar, and Duraspark recipient, had a Philco AM radio...