I have a 71 390 that needs some work. It was in a 1971 F-100 4x4 that my friend totaled. The cap got smashed along with some other stuff. I had planned on getting electronic ignition, but confused with what kind. I have been looking at the Mallory and MSD ignitions. I researched around and noticed that there have been a good number of people with MSD problems. I haven't heard much about the mallory system. If somebody could suggest a good setup, it would be appreciated. The engine will be going in a 1962 4x4 F-100 that will be used off and on road. I will be getting a new carb (been looking at the edelbrock thunder series off road carb 650cfm), headers, cam, and other small stuff.

 

The easiest would be to go to a Pertronix, which replaces the points. Otherwise, here's some amateur advice:

Go to a junkyard, find a '75 or later truck with a 360 in it - there should be plenty... make sure it has the Duraspark (I or II, doesn't matter). Remove the distributor, control box, coil and as much of the harness as you can get your hands on. While you're in there, look for other goodies you might need ...

Change the pickup in the dizzy (or take a chance on it going bad sooner or later) and get a new control box for the same year truck you scavenged. Remember what year, write it down somewhere for future reference - even better, get the VIN of the truck too. You might need something from the VIN when you get parts. (I know guys, it really doesn't matter, but sometimes they ask the craziest questions).

Wire the harness into your existing truck. It might be a good idea to get a wiring diagram for the truck you pulled the harness from, and the one you're installing into.
If you're going to stick with a stock Duraspark, buy a spare control box.

The one thing I'm not sure of is the resistor wire. Duraspark I might not need it. Guys?

After you get that working, if you want to go to MSD or Mallory it's much easier to make the transition. If you plan on going with MSD/Mallory up front, I used the stock '76 Duraspark pickup in the dizzy and an MSD 6AL with MSD coil. (only used MSD but blew the first one because I disconnected the + side of the coil so it would crank and not fire).

 

just keep it simple and use a points conversion kit like crane cams xr-1 and it has a rev limiter

 

Take this for what you will:

I'm running a Mallory Unilite vacuum advance distributor. It works great, but few words of caution if you're going this route:

1. The stock timing curve they come with was too steep for my motor. I changed out the advance springs to a 10 degree per 1000rpm straight line curve, and it works great on 89 octane. For a stock compression (mine is about 9.7:1) motor, the stock curve it comes with will probably work just fine. Be advised though, that you might have to change it.

2. Get their power filter module, as the unilite is very sensitive to fluctuations in voltage.

3. Do not wire it wrong, or it will burn up instantly.

 

Can I also suggest you be sure that the motor you have is a 390. The 4x4 trucks "generally" came only with 360's.

--Mike

 

it was originally a 360, but that all changed when the motor got rebuilt. A couple of things, whats a dizzy? Does it just stand for distributor, or what. There seems to be two ways, a whole different distributor, and just the Pertronix deal. What are the advantages/disadvantages of both?

 

Yes, the dizzy is the distributor. You are correct, two choices, add the Pertronix or Crane to your current system or swap everything out for something different. Here's my $.02's, either way can be accomplished for about $80-$100.00 and you gain the benefits of hotter spark and no changing points. Just depends on what you are comfortable with.

--Mike

 

I've been researching the Crane XR-1. I plan to go this route if I ever get my engine back together. It's simple, I like the rev limiter, and it's cheap enough ($64.50 at summit) that I can carry a spare.

 

whats that part number form summit?

 

Crn-750-1700

 

is this a better way to go?

What all needs to be done to make this conversion?

Anything else reqired?

Anything special needed?

 

From what I can tell this is pretty simple to do. I haven't done it yet. I've just done the research and the crane is my plan. It will probably be 2 - 4 weeks before I get around to this. If you haven't made any decisions by then, I'll let you know how it goes for me.

Tracy

 

Please do i am thinking but i am not 100% sure. I have heard good and bads on it. If you could let me know what you think about it


thanks
-Brandon-

 

I've installed the Pertronix on a few people's boats and use it myself in a Triumph TR7, never let me (or them) down. The Crane looks like almost the same thing, except with a rev-limiter? No brainer, if you ask me.

I just checked it out, and it'll work great for you. You can use the original coil, or I'm sure, go to a hotter coil and get a better spark. Read the directions carefully and if you have any questions, come back here.

art k.

 

The Crane xr-1 requires a stock coil and will not produce more spark than points and you MUST run a seperate 12V source to the unit. Now, if you went with a Crane xr-3000, you will need a hotter coil with full 12V to the coil, no resistor wire. This WILL produce a hotter spark so you can open up the plug gaps for a better running motor. The xr-3000 has an optical trigger where the xr-1/petronix is magnetic.

Keith