New Ignition System
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Aiken SC
New Ignition System
I've been looking for a good ignition system and am undecided on msd or crane. Does anyone have any recommendations. Maybe even part numbers.
Oh its a '79 f-150 4wd with a 351M/400
Oh its a '79 f-150 4wd with a 351M/400
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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You can edit your own posts for up to an hour after you make them.
Keep the stock Duraspark system. it is the easiest to work on and if you need parts they are cheaper and easiest to get. You can heave them tested at most parts stores. The stock system is as good or better than MSD or Crane units up to around 6000 rpm and you won't be running your stock motor or even mild rebuild any higher than that. The stock system also has a spark retard function for easier starts. Mount the stock MOTORCRAFT module (the best) 1/4 inch off the fender for better cooling.
Keep the stock Duraspark system. it is the easiest to work on and if you need parts they are cheaper and easiest to get. You can heave them tested at most parts stores. The stock system is as good or better than MSD or Crane units up to around 6000 rpm and you won't be running your stock motor or even mild rebuild any higher than that. The stock system also has a spark retard function for easier starts. Mount the stock MOTORCRAFT module (the best) 1/4 inch off the fender for better cooling.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 6
From: Albuquerque
For several years now, I have been using the Jacobs ignition system. They are pricey, but you get a lot too. Also go with the 8.5mm wires too.
They require NO splicing of wires and the original coil stays put. No need to remove. Should the system ever fail, simply remove the Jacobs coil wire and fuse to positive and re-install the original coil wire to distrib and off you go.
FACTS After the install:
a.) 1.5 - 2 mpg better consistantly
b.) smooth ideal and easy start up's
c.) have checked spark plugs and look great...igniting the fuel perfectly.
Recommend:
Mileage Master Kit (part # 372446)
Off-Road Kit (part # 373546OR)
Pro Street Kit ( part # 372546)
Ultra Fit spark plug wire set
http://www.jacobselectronics.com/
Good luck finding what works best for your application.
They require NO splicing of wires and the original coil stays put. No need to remove. Should the system ever fail, simply remove the Jacobs coil wire and fuse to positive and re-install the original coil wire to distrib and off you go.
FACTS After the install:
a.) 1.5 - 2 mpg better consistantly
b.) smooth ideal and easy start up's
c.) have checked spark plugs and look great...igniting the fuel perfectly.
Recommend:
Mileage Master Kit (part # 372446)
Off-Road Kit (part # 373546OR)
Pro Street Kit ( part # 372546)
Ultra Fit spark plug wire set
http://www.jacobselectronics.com/
Good luck finding what works best for your application.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 727
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From: Texas, just south of NY c
Davis Unified Ignition makes a GM style HEI style Distributor for fords with everything in the distributor . No external boxes to mount, hookup or go bad. I think they run around 300........s.kuteman
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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There is nothing wrong with the OEM Ford distributor, unless of course it is worn out, which can and will happen to any distributor. Make sure that any distributor that you use for a replacement on a street driven vehicle has a vacuum advance. Many replacement distributors do not have the vacuum advance are only suitable for racing applications.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 503
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From: MT
Well speaking from experience, the rebuilds are JUNK here in Wa
I went threw 10 distributors.
MSD makes a PERFECT street dis for all ford engines and have Vacuum advance.
Also the mechanical advance is more performance oriented.
The Mechanic
I went threw 10 distributors.
MSD makes a PERFECT street dis for all ford engines and have Vacuum advance.
Also the mechanical advance is more performance oriented.
The Mechanic
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: shepherd
there is a company called DUI and they build custom HEI distributors for any application. you tell the what cam you have what cfm carb and what the motor is going to be used for. they run for about 300 dollars.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Some of those rebuild companies can be a problem. Call around and find a different brand if you have problems with a particular brand. I had mega problems with A1/Cardone rebuilt PS pumps. I called around and found an ATSCO unit that worked perfectly.
Whatever distributor you get it needs to be tuned to your engine if you have done any modifications. This can be done with a distributor machine and a Dyno.
Whatever distributor you get it needs to be tuned to your engine if you have done any modifications. This can be done with a distributor machine and a Dyno.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
My dad swears up and down by Crane cams Fireball Hi-6 buzz boxes and mallory distributors. why should I disagree, he can get 15 mpg out of a 390, and thats definetly an oddity.
I don't have any experience firsthand with the MSD boxes, but they are on all of the race cars around here.
I don't have any experience firsthand with the MSD boxes, but they are on all of the race cars around here.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
MSD is supposed to have a replacement for the stock duraspark box that has a start retard function etc. The aftermarket boxes will not do any better (some are actually worse) than the OEM ignition systems. The GM HEI and the Motorcraft Duraspark boxes are good stuff. The aftermarket boxes will do better than the OEM boxes above 6000 rpm but how often does a street truck or daily driver see that? Some of the knockoff copies are junk tho. The later Ford TFI ignition system modules are often a POS tho. That may be due to improper installation many times. The OEM boxes are easily tested at any good parts store, replacements are available everywhere, and they are much cheaper than the aftermarket units.
The racers use the MSD stuff because you can get so many little tuning widgets to go with them but at the same time they have a hot spare ready that can be used with a flip of a switch. That does not say too much for reliability in my books.
The racers use the MSD stuff because you can get so many little tuning widgets to go with them but at the same time they have a hot spare ready that can be used with a flip of a switch. That does not say too much for reliability in my books.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 36
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From: Panama City USA
Those OEM FORD Motorcraft Duraspark systems must be pretty good, they seem to last, especially if you put spacers under them like Torque1st said.
When an old Ford goes to the junkyard to be a parts donor, the Duraspark system is one of the first things to be taken off and re-used.
I like mine because it is the only thing left on my truck that I haven't replaced.
Phil
When an old Ford goes to the junkyard to be a parts donor, the Duraspark system is one of the first things to be taken off and re-used.
I like mine because it is the only thing left on my truck that I haven't replaced.
Phil
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Look around, some machine shops and speed shops have distributor machines. If you had the stuff in my shop you could rig one up to test a dizzy. Some individuals with extensive shops have actual distributor machines. Ask around in the local chapter forums. Ask at the good parts stores, ask old mechanics. Larger cities frequently have several dyno's. There is one just a little ways from me. A dyno run is worth the cash to dial your engine in.
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