Hey team. this is my first post on this list. looks like a very active bunch. It is time to upgrade GT's ignition. (GT: grandpa's truck, '69 F-100, rebuilt 390, C6 tranny, stock carb) it was at one point modified with an aftermarket electronic module with a magnetic pick-up in the distro. it seems the coil has failed or the module. we're ready to make it start better and run better. What's the best way to go to make him run like he should...Crane? Pertronics? Later Ford electronic ignition like from a 1976?

Your thoughts and comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

Matt aka f100GT
Seattle

 

f100gt,
great to have a new member, welcome aboard. I myself like the Crane XR700 or better yet XR 3000 system and coil. The XR700 was Allisons and triggered by infrared light as well the XR3000 series. I like Infrared vs magnetic to avoid outside false signals. With Xr700 you must use a ballast resistor, XR 3000 direct 12 volts ( more energy). With a good stock dizzy with tight bushings a Crane system is cheaper that going a full aftermarket dizzy. Been running a Allison (now Crane) for 18-19 years without any component failures. NUFF B S N 4 NOW!
.....=o&o>.....

 

BeemerNut:

Thanks for the ideas. problem is i'm dealing with a dizzy that has been modified at some point with magnetic pick-up. This old electronic system is a bit crusty. I don't know if I can reuse what I have or put a new dizzy in along with control box and coil. So is that beemers with two or four wheels anyway?

thx.
GT

 

f100gt,
that would be two wheels mid 60's to mid 70's four of them, 67 R27, 71R75/5 R90/6, R90s, Norton's and Matchless thumper. Alot of forum members run Pertronics and a few failures (mine failed) as well with Ford's DUI's. I would go to a Pick N Pull and get a tight stock dizzy cheap and go with a Crane Xr700 or XR3000 for spark. JMO.
.....=o&o>.....

 

BeemerNut,
cool. i've got a new airhead...94r100gs/pd. love the thing to pieces. also have a motoguzzi v11 sport-magni and an ajs 18cs thumper. that sweetheart is a work in progress...more work than progress. i'll do the junk yard route and make that happen. thanks for the good advice.

gt.

 

f100gt,
what year Ajay and in what trim? I have a 61 G80TCS, Typhoon 600 thumper in street trim, aluminum fenders with lighting. Private Email me, will send a few photos.
.....=o&o>.....

 

I just changes my 68 over to ford electronic the guy at auto zone let my exchange my old distro for the newer one as far as the core goes this helped the price alot! I got a control box, rebuilt distro, high out coil all with a life time warrenty for $87.00. Here is how I wired the new system.
76 dist. Change over

From the ignition pack you have a black,purple,orange,green red white wire. Black,purple,orange go to the dist.
Green goes to the negative side of the coil
Red goes to the starter solenoid the one thats not used if your looking straight at it its the small threaded bolt on the right, it has power after the ignition is switched on!
White wire goes under the dash to any power source after the ignition is switch on.
Caution; the plus side of the coil is a power on wire after switch is turned on but that takes volts away from coil don't use this wire for the white wire!
I got every thing from auto zone for like $86.00 its all 1976 stuff and if you pay the deposit on the dist and then bring it back in the box with the gear up and all oily and they don't pull it out of the box you will get your deposit back. Also the new coil will have round spade instead of threaded bolts I just used crimp on spade connector here it works good!
If you can't get the correct plugs just use spade connectors and tape the hell out of them!
I mounted my ignition box on the pass. inner fender and ran the wires up the top of the engine to the firewall across and down to the box and solenoid then taped and used split plastic wire conduit.
I do advise bring the dist up to top dead center and marking the rotor You can use your old cap and wires and you will need to know if you need single or dual vacuum dist. probably single
Hope this helps
Bruce
P.S. check your red wire that goes to your + side of the coil if you don't have 12 volts it will still work but you won't get as much juice for the coil.

 

So...if I wanted to put a new Ford dist. in my 67 w/ 352 what exactly would I look for? One that would fit 73-79 360? 390? Thanks for the help....time to ditch the points.

 

Performance Distributors makes a direct replacement dizzy for the FE block. It is called the Davis unified and comes in two configurations. The Ford electronic ignition and the GM electronic setup. They are pricey though. They come complete for with all the components needed for the install and cost about the same as the full crane setup.

 

Get a 76 ford distro only thing to watch for is 1 or 2 vacuum lines for the advance.

 

on the dual vacume distributors the one that comes out the front of the diaphram is the advance and the one that comes out the top is for ignition retardation. their not both for advance.

 

From what size engine? I assume I also need to grab the electronic ignition box....Will no other years work? If not anybody know why. Sorry for all the questions, but I gess that is how I learn.

Thanks much.

 

engine size should be what ever you have in your truck, mine was a 360. yes read my earlier post you will need the control box. Reason for using a 76 dizzy is thats the first year it was used in 75 they still had points.

 

I haved swapped from points to electronic ignition on a few engines. I use any electronic distributors and modules from 76-79 ford trucks. I get them from the junk yards. I get the wiring from distributor to the module. I also get the harness from the module to the cab on the module. I usually buy a new electronic distributor housing with new cap and new rotor.

It you decide to go this route, order or use a distributor off a 76 Ford Truck with a 360 or 390 engine.