which electronic ignition/ distributor?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
which electronic ignition/ distributor?
I have had enough with those stupid points. I changed them out twice in 2000 miles.
I went to autozone and found distributors that replace the points with electronic harnesses. I could not find a 1970 390 part, only mid 70's and up. They sell for $40- $50. The guy said he needed to know my cam and distributor model to know if it worked.
Any idea which one I have?
1970, f250, 390, 6.4, 2wd, stock/standard components,
I went to autozone and found distributors that replace the points with electronic harnesses. I could not find a 1970 390 part, only mid 70's and up. They sell for $40- $50. The guy said he needed to know my cam and distributor model to know if it worked.
Any idea which one I have?
1970, f250, 390, 6.4, 2wd, stock/standard components,
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
which electronic ignition/ distributor?
FWIW, I just put a Pertronix Ignitor on my '68 F100, 360. It cost me $55 on e-bay and took about 15 minutes to install. My mileage went from around 12 to almost 13 and now the truck seems to be sitting there just waiting for me to come crank it up. It's like a puppy that wants to go out and play. She used to dare me to try and start her.
Dan Blackwell
Dan Blackwell
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
which electronic ignition/ distributor?
Kev, stay away from autozone if you can. Most of the help (not all but most) don't have a clue what they are talking about. A duraspark from a 75 or 76 will fit but needs some wiring and a control box to go with. A pertronix is very tough to beat for helping a points equiped truck. The company that makes what you need used to be called Per-Lux, and the part was called an ignitor. Maybe some folks are not used to the new name. DF
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
which electronic ignition/ distributor?
Kevin, I went with the Duraspark conversion on my '70 F100, but I think the Pertronics unit would be just as good. I bought a used electronic distributor, a new box, and had it wired and running in under 45 minutes.
Jason Kendrick
1970 F100 Custom 390/C6
1978 F150 Ranger Lariat Supercab 460/C6
Jason Kendrick
1970 F100 Custom 390/C6
1978 F150 Ranger Lariat Supercab 460/C6
New User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
which electronic ignition/ distributor?
Jason,
Could you post the details of this conversion? I am trying to put a later engine with a duraspark distributor in my '70 F100. I have the dist and a brain box, but don't know how to hook it up at all. I suspect all I need is switched power to one of the brain box wires and all the rest should run between the brain box and distributor, but I have no idea. Are the wires color-matched? Thanks for any help.
>Kevin, I went with the Duraspark
>conversion on my '70 F100,
>but I think the Pertronics
>unit would be just as
>good. I bought a used
>electronic distributor, a new box,
>and had it wired and
>running in under 45 minutes.
>
>Jason Kendrick
>1970 F100 Custom 390/C6
>1978 F150 Ranger Lariat Supercab 460/C6
>
Could you post the details of this conversion? I am trying to put a later engine with a duraspark distributor in my '70 F100. I have the dist and a brain box, but don't know how to hook it up at all. I suspect all I need is switched power to one of the brain box wires and all the rest should run between the brain box and distributor, but I have no idea. Are the wires color-matched? Thanks for any help.
>Kevin, I went with the Duraspark
>conversion on my '70 F100,
>but I think the Pertronics
>unit would be just as
>good. I bought a used
>electronic distributor, a new box,
>and had it wired and
>running in under 45 minutes.
>
>Jason Kendrick
>1970 F100 Custom 390/C6
>1978 F150 Ranger Lariat Supercab 460/C6
>
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
which electronic ignition/ distributor?
Have you tried putting a simple transistor inline with your points? This is a poor man's pertronix but it only costs 3 bucks and will make your points last forever.... longer than the rubbing block anyways. Its so cheap i carry a spare in my glove box. If you want to know how to do it i can send you a pdf file with the instructions.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
hay,I'm running a 390-30 over in a old v-drive drag boat that I restored switched in a 76 duraspark distributor & ICM,I was running the same coil (with a external capacitor) that I ran on the points distributor,and it seem to run fine for a while,then I was talking to this mechanic and he seem to think that this ignition system doesn't require a capacitor,does anybody know, I'm also looking for the wiring color code for the (schematic)for wiring this brain box (wanting it right)give me some feed back..../ Steve
Last edited by stevejohnson48; Jul 7, 2011 at 09:43 AM. Reason: delete
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
The capacitor that ties to the positive terminal of the coil is an ignition noise suppression capacitor. It's used in either application - points or electronic. It's not required for the ignition system to function, but it helps filter out noise that could get picked up on the radio from the coil firing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Ok, gotta ask. Where can I find out info about this pertronix?
Years ago, dad came up with 2 "Ignitor" setups for Ford V8's. He put one in his 74 390, and the other went in my 70 F100 302 (my first vehicle). After 3 years or so, the pickup went bad on mine, so I went back to points. A couple weeks later, his tossed a couple magnets out of the "reluctor" thingy, so I handed him the one from mine. I have no idea whatever happened to that setup, or when he changed back to points.
With *quality* points/condensor becoming rather scarce and pricey, I'd like to convert to a breakerless system. I know DS2 quite well, and can wire it up *without* hacking up the stock wiring, just need a dist.
I'm open to other options, so show me the "drop-in" options, please.....
Years ago, dad came up with 2 "Ignitor" setups for Ford V8's. He put one in his 74 390, and the other went in my 70 F100 302 (my first vehicle). After 3 years or so, the pickup went bad on mine, so I went back to points. A couple weeks later, his tossed a couple magnets out of the "reluctor" thingy, so I handed him the one from mine. I have no idea whatever happened to that setup, or when he changed back to points.
With *quality* points/condensor becoming rather scarce and pricey, I'd like to convert to a breakerless system. I know DS2 quite well, and can wire it up *without* hacking up the stock wiring, just need a dist.
I'm open to other options, so show me the "drop-in" options, please.....
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
5x with Pertronix. It's soooo simple a Democrat can do it. Go to Summit Racing or Jeg's to read up on Pertronix systems - it's dead nuts reliable. I run 'em in my 65, 68, 70, and 71. The 73 has DS1.
The problem with points is that they start the instant it is first used... the unit starts wearing on the dizzy's lobes and the contact starts arcing and wearing. IMO, the less moving parts, the better. Set it and forget it.
The problem with points is that they start the instant it is first used... the unit starts wearing on the dizzy's lobes and the contact starts arcing and wearing. IMO, the less moving parts, the better. Set it and forget it.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
The 1974 DuraSpark module is one year only.
The 1975 DuraSpark module is one year only.
The 1976/79 DuraSpark module is the same as long as it's the blue module. This same module was used into the 1990's, has a blue plastic square above where the wires feed out:
1U2Z-12A199-AA (replaced D6AZ-12A199-A, D8VZ-12A199A, D9VZ-12A199A) .. Blue Module (Motorcraft DY893).
Some 1976/79 sold new in CA only vehicles have a red module, which is a POS. Some 1979 CA only vehicles have a brown module.
Inside the dizzy is a stator aka magnetic pickup coil. The same one was used in 1974/79 V8's except 1979 LTD/Mercury Grand Marquis 351W w/EEC.
D4PZ-12A112-A .. Stator (Motorcraft DU-1A).