Considering an ignition upgrade. Currently running Motorcraft electronic ignition on a D7TE-12127-ADA distributor. 1977 came stock with points/condenser so someone installed the electronics version later. It ain't broke but I've heard that a Petronix Igniter III would improve performance/reliability. Pics of current distributor below for reference. Appreciate any advice here. Some questions:

1) Seems like the Petronix Igniter III is a go-to kit for this. Do I need to think any more about brand or model or just go with it? Is there something materially better?
2) The part lookup on the Petronix website is flaking out on me. Does anyone know for sure which model number of the Ignitor III is the right one.
3) Consensus is that Petronix gear wants a high end coil. I put an ACCEL 8140 Ignition Coil in it a few months ago (42000v, 1.4 ohm, primary). Is this a good fit for the Igniter III?


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You wouldn't be getting any upgrade, just something different.

Any performance improvement, if there was one, would have to be seen on a dyno you're not going to notice it.

 

No, your truck never had points as far as I know. Was back 1976 they started with the electronic pointless ignition. It's at least as good as Petronics.

 

I am wIth the others keep what you got and I would also say that was factory.
Dave ----

 

Thanks, guys. I'm sad to hear this but I appreciate your candor. Was hopeful that a $200 upgrade would give me a little more vigor. Any suggestions for other low-cost-ish upgrade that would make the 302 more responsive? As I said, it runs ok... just sluggish. I'd love it to be more responsive.

 

Unfortunately, a 302 in one of these big heavy slugs isn't ever going to feel very impressive unless you have a build running race fuel.

The best thing you can do without major work is peak out your timing. try advancing your timing a bit at a time until you hear pinging (detonation) at WOT, then back it off a little until you can't anymore. see how it starts and if it's okay try that a while, and checking it with a dial back would be a good idea.

 

I don't know what you have but if it's a 2wd with a Ford 9" rear that is geared high like the one I made a trailer out of, lower rear gearing is an option. The rear in the '79 2wd I started with was geared 2.75:1 as best as I can recall. For a couple hundred, I think careful shopping of garages, salvage, shop buddies, etc ... you might turn up a drop in Ford 9" hogshead in 3.25:1 or even 3.50:1 ratio. First step would be find out what you have now. Either jack her up in neutral or put her on a lift in neutral, rotate rear tires 1 complete revolution exactly and have counted drive shaft revolutions and parts of the last revolution. Both rear tires have to complete one revolution. Another way is the coding on the warranty plate on the driver's door I think..

 

My 1971 has great response & sounds even better..........
I have not heard to many bad things said about 302 Windsors , almost every hotrodder I have met says they luv 302's...........

 

Your vehicle should have come with Ford's Duraspark II ignition which appears to be what's in your photos. In my 460, I changed to Ford's Duraspark I ignition which was the high energy ignition Ford used in some engines sold in California to achieve emission requirements. I doubt if the change you are considering will provide the results you desire.

 

I got the igniter II with the .06 ohm coil & luv it so far . I believe the II is sufficient for a non-race TRUCK . The only difference I remember between the II & III is III has a rev limiter . How many times u gonna hit 7000 RPM's ?
My foot is a GOOD rev limiter
I have an excellent source that says a stock 71 & earlier Ford engine ignition will support 450 horsepower I only changed to a Pertroniz because there is no points & condenser to deal with ...
Your ignition and your carburetor only uses what is asked from them at the moment of igniting You can have a 100,000v coil but you probably will never need that much unless you have 600 or 700 horsepower ...maybe .
I think maybe an average of 40,000 - 60,000 is the most needed in a 450 horsepower situation..........
I am no expert , just an average' ole shade-tree mechanic like many of us............who reads the best info he can & watches the experts to learn all I can...........

 

Oh & I do apologize for being n ur forum ...........I got here chasing an answer............. We have alot n common , I will try 2 contain myself............

 

Nobody said the 302 is a bad engine, it's just not going to impress anyone in the quarter was my point, so ignition conversions aren't going to give the OP the boost he's after.

Even if you go back to 1970 , the Boss 302 and the Boss 429 were not even in the same league.

I'm not sure what it would take for power to make one of these pickups impressive , 600 horse I suppose. I know the 10:1 428 CJ in my high boy is still a snoozer . sounds great but I'm not racing anyone.

 

You don't need anymore than stock Dura spark. New parts are suspect. Try salvage yards for replacement parts. Nothing with new label. Ford used the parts for 25 years, early defective parts were weeded out under warranty. AMC used them also. The pickup coil moves every time the throttle moves. That wiring and other wiring about the only wear parts.