anyone had any good luck replacing the points with electronic box.. i was wondering if it was worth it..

 

I can attest to that from first hand experience. Swapping from points to my Pertronix Ignitor I kit w/ Flamethrower coil was one of the best upgrades money could buy for these trucks. Engine starts up on the first or second crank, idles much smoother, and responds a lot quicker. It just feels more stable and smooth; the engine hums nicely too. A lot of people claim that upgrading to electronic ignition also boosted their fuel mileage quite a bit; however, personally, I haven't experienced any substantial MPG benefits.

What engine are you thinking of upgrading to electronic ignition? I did this to my 292 (y-block).

 

i can buy a lot of points for 100 bucks but i got a 240 with 8 thousand miles on it.not worried about mileage.it does good..sometimes the engine spits when it gets hot out.i got a 160 thermostat in it..nothing mechanical.just think a hotter spark would be cool..thanks..

 

Well you'll definitely notice a hotter spark. In fact, the spark is visibly brighter and bigger.

 

Pertronix FTW.
Never buy points, never reset points, never worry about condensers going belly-up when you least need it. Screw points. I'm all for older, simpler technology but you can't beat electronic ignition. Either Petronix or a junkyard retrofit of a Duraspark, depending on your engine/budget.

 

So what Duraspark unit will fit a '66 352? Besides the distributor, harness & module, what else would one need from the salvage yard?

Thanks.

 

Hey Dogbreath....
I had to laugh at your handle. That was the code word between my daughter and me for anyone wanting to pick her up from school or a party. My daughter was to ask the code word and if they didn't know it, she was to stay there and find an adult. You don't see the word dogbreath used too often. LOL

Save the looking at junk yards for junk electrical ignition parts...spring for the extra $100 and get the new Pertronix unit. You won't be sorry!

 

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

Have a 65 F100 with a 390 and it was a big pain in the backside getting what I affectionately refer to as 'the hog' started on a cold winter morning. Few years back converted to Duraspark II and no longer an issue. Believe the last year 390 was produced was 76 so I used the 76 T-Bird as the model. Decided it was not that much more for new Duraspark II distributor than salvaged, so used the point dizzy for core charge and purchased Motorcraft electronic distributor; Napa P/N:48-2897 and came to $65. Purchased new Duraspark module; Napa P/N: TP40SB, $42, and then there's the coil and rotor. Did salvage the harness that goes from the Duraspark distributor to the module. Also, went with the larger distributor cap so I salvaged the distributor adapter. Finally, if decide to go this route, make sure to confirm the items meet your application, I used 74-76 390 with blu grommet.

Not an authority, understand there's a variety of different combinations, HEI, Duraspark with MDS/Mallory, Pertronix with MSD/Mallory, etc. There's a detailed article in Muscle Magazine, by Hemmings Motor New, on the Pertronix conversion, looked fairly straight forward, remove points and install electronic components. Anyhow, had an urge to chime in and add my

 

Hey Dave, thanks for the input. Did they also use the Duraspark on the 360 in mid to late 70's F100/150's? Will they also fit the 352? I don't know my FE engines very well. I'm usually a small block guy (yes, I mean small block Ford! LOL!) but this truck has a 352 that seems to be running well so I'm going to drive it that way for a while.
Thanks again.
Randy

 

Randy, with the 6 cyl., and V8's Ford went to Duraspark in 1974. Believe the ign. components are same for 352, 360, and 390 so imagine it would be same for Electronic Ign.. Went with electronic ign. only when it came to rebuilding both the 390, and 302; prior to that, drove with points for some 35 plus years. As they say, "if it aint broke, don't fix it", always wondered who 'they' are. lol !!