Transistorized ignitions
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
Transistorized ignitions
On pages 7, 9 and 13 of section 120 of the Master Parts catalog, it lists specific distributors for the '66 F100/F250 with 240, 300 and 352 with transistorized ignition. I have found nothing in the sales literature indicating that it was available in anything smaller than the F500. Also, if you look up the amplifier required for the transistorized ignition (12A027), it doesn't show it being available for anything smaller than an F600. Does anyone know if this was available as a dealer option?
Trying to put together a working transistorized ignition today would be a huge gamble as it requires specific wiring, coil, points, ballast resistor assembly, and amplifier (it could be done by using simple junction blocks in place of a tach block). The probability of an amplifier actually working is probably low too, but it could be restored by replacing the main component. I think it would be super cool to have a period correct ignition that lasted 4 times longer than standard points. Also, in '66 Ford simplified the design to eliminate the cold start relay.
Anyway, if anyone has first hand experience with one of these, I'd love to hear about it.
Trying to put together a working transistorized ignition today would be a huge gamble as it requires specific wiring, coil, points, ballast resistor assembly, and amplifier (it could be done by using simple junction blocks in place of a tach block). The probability of an amplifier actually working is probably low too, but it could be restored by replacing the main component. I think it would be super cool to have a period correct ignition that lasted 4 times longer than standard points. Also, in '66 Ford simplified the design to eliminate the cold start relay.
Anyway, if anyone has first hand experience with one of these, I'd love to hear about it.
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,066
Likes: 1,622
From: Seattle
We used to work on an F750 dump truck back in the day that had one of the transistorized systems in it. They could have been ordered in an F100 on up, but how many people did? Back then most people thought of power windows and air conditioning as things that can go wrong. Transistors were a fairly new thing and people were uncertain about them. We've come a long way....
Chad
Chad
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
I had a '66 Merc 250 CS with the system. It caused me a lot of trouble because it used a ballast resistor instead of a resistance wire, and I couldn't solve the problem of the breaker points burning. I had not seen such an arrangement on a Ford and I couldn't find a wiring diagram (in those pre-internet days of old) so I simply replaced the whole system. I didn't notice if the distributor was different in some way. The amplifier was mounted on the right side kick panel. The engine tag had "T" stamped to the right of the other data.
Eric
Eric
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
We used to work on an F750 dump truck back in the day that had one of the transistorized systems in it. They could have been ordered in an F100 on up, but how many people did? Back then most people thought of power windows and air conditioning as things that can go wrong. Transistors were a fairly new thing and people were uncertain about them. We've come a long way....
Chad
Chad
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
I had a '66 Merc 250 CS with the system. It caused me a lot of trouble because it used a ballast resistor instead of a resistance wire, and I couldn't solve the problem of the breaker points burning. I had not seen such an arrangement on a Ford and I couldn't find a wiring diagram (in those pre-internet days of old) so I simply replaced the whole system. I didn't notice if the distributor was different in some way. The amplifier was mounted on the right side kick panel. The engine tag had "T" stamped to the right of the other data.
Eric
Eric
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,066
Likes: 1,622
From: Seattle
It's from the 1966 Light Truck Facts for Combination Salesmen. Covers the following models and series
Ranchero
Econoline
Bronco
F-100
F-100 4-Wheel Drive
F-250
F-250 4-Wheel Drive
F-350
I have the Ford and the Ford/Mercury editions. As I understand it these were one per dealership, unless you ordered additional ones (see below).
Chad
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 6
From: Great White North
It's from the 1966 Light Truck Facts for Combination Salesmen. Covers the following models and series
Ranchero
Econoline
Bronco
F-100
F-100 4-Wheel Drive
F-250
F-250 4-Wheel Drive
F-350
I have the Ford and the Ford/Mercury editions. As I understand it these were one per dealership.
Chad
Ranchero
Econoline
Bronco
F-100
F-100 4-Wheel Drive
F-250
F-250 4-Wheel Drive
F-350
I have the Ford and the Ford/Mercury editions. As I understand it these were one per dealership.
Chad
Trending Topics
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,066
Likes: 1,622
From: Seattle
LOL. The only option available on the Ranger was the Console.
Good one, though. Same book, just an insert page up front to clarify the measurements.
Chad
Good one, though. Same book, just an insert page up front to clarify the measurements.
Chad
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 6
From: Great White North
[QUOTE=TA455HO;18225327]LOL. The only option available on the Ranger was the Console.
Your response was not what I expected. Sorry to burst your knowledge bubble but if I were to recall your previous testimony optional on the Ranger was bucket seats and optional console. Only the carpet was standard. Also, just to be a weiner
my Ranger truck could have had the option of tu tone paint, styleside box and long wheelbase, cargo box, spare tire holder, 16 inch wheels and last but not least...automatic, overdrive, extra gauges and radio!
Your response was not what I expected. Sorry to burst your knowledge bubble but if I were to recall your previous testimony optional on the Ranger was bucket seats and optional console. Only the carpet was standard. Also, just to be a weiner
my Ranger truck could have had the option of tu tone paint, styleside box and long wheelbase, cargo box, spare tire holder, 16 inch wheels and last but not least...automatic, overdrive, extra gauges and radio!
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,066
Likes: 1,622
From: Seattle
Your response was not what I expected. Sorry to burst your knowledge bubble but if I were to recall your previous testimony optional on the Ranger was bucket seats and optional console. Only the carpet was standard. Also, just to be a weiner my Ranger truck could have had the option of tu tone paint, styleside box and long wheelbase, cargo box, spare tire holder, 16 inch wheels and last but not least...automatic, overdrive, extra gauges and radio!
my Ranger truck could have had the option of tu tone paint, styleside box and long wheelbase, cargo box, spare tire holder, 16 inch wheels and last but not least...automatic, overdrive, extra gauges and radio!
Chad
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,066
Likes: 1,622
From: Seattle
Here in the 1970 Salesmans book they show both the Ranger and Ranger XLT with a bench seat.
And the bucket seats, while available, had apparently nothing to do with the Ranger package and couldn't be had with a Custom Cab and were only available in Parchment with black carpet and back cover.
Chad
And the bucket seats, while available, had apparently nothing to do with the Ranger package and couldn't be had with a Custom Cab and were only available in Parchment with black carpet and back cover.
Chad
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,066
Likes: 1,622
From: Seattle
One other thing to consider for 1966. While there were red and black upholstered bench seats in both Standard and Custom Cab - the only Parchment that I know of is in the bucket seat choice. Ditto for 1965 and Palomino upholstery choice.
Chad
Chad