I have a 390 I transplanted into my 76 F100. I have a distributor that has a Crane XR700 optical trigger electronic ignition. Originally it was a points distributor. I've been using this ignition to trigger an MSD 6A. Everything worked pretty good until my optical trigger started glitching. I may spend about $34 for Cranes latest optical trigger that will trigger my MSD. But I'm leary of the optical trigger now. I'm wondering what anybody thinks of the aftermarket magnetic trigger distributors such as MSD, Accel, and Mallory make. Or how hard would it be to locate a Duraspark II distributor from a 75 or 76 360/390? I'm quite aware that the aftermarket billet distributors are $300+ Is it a waste of money? My truck has a junkyard 390 that suites my daily driver needs pretty well, I'm not racing or any such thing, just desire dependable performance with a touch of seat of the pants torque. One day I'll have my other 390 rebuilt with some mild performance touchs.

BBT

 

I'd go for the Duraspark model. Cheap and easy. You should be able to pick one up at Azone or such. Maybe find someone here that has one cheap.

Maybe one of the Petronix units??

 

Except for the module failing, the Duraspark was pretty good. After they cool down, you can usually restart the vehicle so you are not likely to get stuck anywhere. Many people that off-road have a second one on the fender to plug in for immediate go when the currently used one fails. I think excessive vibration when hot plays intyo it.

I consider the module like a coil, they are cheap, they fail sooner or later, so I always have an extra off-road.

I do not like optical sensors or trust them, I think a magnetic field trigger is better.

I think billet distributors are a waste of money unless you race.

You could buy two dist (with the hall effect switch installed), two ign modules, and everything else you need at Autozone for a Duraspark for a lot less then $200.

I think you should go to Autozone, buy a points dist. for $40, put a Petronixs on it, throw a spare set of points and condensor under the front seat, all for < $150 and be done with it.

For a used low compression truck engine, putting MSD coils and hot ignitions are not going to net you a big enough return in gas mileage or horsepower, imo.

I would go with reliable.

If the Pertronix ever fails, you can have a set of points in, just to drive away, in minutes, if a stock type coil ever fails, you can replace it all in two minutes.

 

I use a DuraSpark dist. to trigger my MSD on a built 390 (418Hp) It works fine.If you get one from a junkyard just make sure the vacum advance plate moves freely.

 

I recommend going back to stock. Since you have a stock engine, then the A6 makes little sense. Save it for when you do decide to modify...or try and sell it (ebay for example).

The DuraSpark dist. is just what you need. Inexpensive ($35) and very reliable. Go for a '76 electronic ignition model and stay away from the old points.

Good luck...

 

One concern I have about going to the Duraspark II distributor is clearance of my aftermarket temperature gauge probe going into my intake manifold. I know with my 302 Duraspark II distributor, the diameter seemed bigger around. I'm going to continue using the MSD box and have the stock wiring as well as the module box for Duraspark that could serve as a backup to the MSD. I'm gathering it's not too hard to get a remanufactured FE magnetic trigger Duraspark II distributor at an autoparts store. My existing distributor had been gone over and recurved by a speed shop on a distributor curve machine so I'm tempted to go ahead and just get the optical trigger for it

BBT

 

I've been running a Mallory Unilite for almost 20 years with no problem whatsoever. It uses an optical trigger and has run like a clock without ever missing a beat.

 

In that case just get a trigger for it.