1983 351w ignition question
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1983 351w ignition question
Hey Im new to this forum and v8's. I came from the 4cyl fi world so this is all foreign to me. I am putting a 351w from a 1983 e-350 xxl van into my 1929 Ford model a tudor. The van had a "duraspark" ignition module when I had the clip with the motor. I have been reading around the forum and I really like the idea of using the gm hei with the duraspark distributor. I just wanted to verify that this upgrade will work with my motor and distributor. Here is the link Im using for the modification: Dirt cheap Ignition
So the distributor that came with my motor should be the correct one to use? What year tfi coil is most commonly used or do you recommend an aftermarket tfi? Anything else that you guys recommend as in new cap and rotor while I do the upgrade?
Thanks for your time!
So the distributor that came with my motor should be the correct one to use? What year tfi coil is most commonly used or do you recommend an aftermarket tfi? Anything else that you guys recommend as in new cap and rotor while I do the upgrade?
Thanks for your time!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 500
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From: midwest
i would say another cheap ignition that works great is get a reman points distrub from an auto parts (i got mine from oreilleys- 40$) then buy the $68 pertronix ignitor to replace the points. its the best thing ever! it will look stock and it only has 2 wires to hookup. ive had mine for almost 8 years and its never failed. now you can get them with a built in adjustable rev limiter. check them out... Pertronix ignitor. just get a pre 74 distub for a 351W and the little module takes the place of the stock points. it adds 9000 more volts to your spark and wont cut out at high rpms.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 36
From: British Columbia
....or just leave the points in. They actually work just fine.
The reason (so far as I can tell) that people convert Fords to use GM distributors is that the advance mechanism is more accessible with the latter. Unless you plan to do a lot of experimentation and modification of the advance mechanism, it is worth considering keeping the quite good Ford distributor.
The reason (so far as I can tell) that people convert Fords to use GM distributors is that the advance mechanism is more accessible with the latter. Unless you plan to do a lot of experimentation and modification of the advance mechanism, it is worth considering keeping the quite good Ford distributor.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 796
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
If you have money to spend, $500 to $600 on a system. The best way to got that I like is a crane cams system. I have one in my 75 truck, 73 tbird and the ford dirt track car. You can use it with the stock distributor or run theirs. The nice thing is it has a rev. limiter on the side of the box, you can buy a set up to retart and advance you timing right on the dash and can change the vacuum and mechanical advance curves with a small screwdriver right on the front of the dist. Summit and jegs sell the system. Just another option. Easy to wire in just one power wire hot all times from the bat. and one switched when running.
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i would say another cheap ignition that works great is get a reman points distrub from an auto parts (i got mine from oreilleys- 40$) then buy the $68 pertronix ignitor to replace the points. its the best thing ever! it will look stock and it only has 2 wires to hookup. ive had mine for almost 8 years and its never failed. now you can get them with a built in adjustable rev limiter. check them out... Pertronix ignitor. just get a pre 74 distub for a 351W and the little module takes the place of the stock points. it adds 9000 more volts to your spark and wont cut out at high rpms.
Thank you for the imput. I am not sure if I should stick with points or go electronic. Have any of you guys tried the gm hei style distributors? Here is a link Like I said I am not familiar with v8's at all but as far as modifications I now an thinking or an intake manifold with a 4 bbl carb and I am thinking of going with a cam from comp.
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New User
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....or just leave the points in. They actually work just fine.
The reason (so far as I can tell) that people convert Fords to use GM distributors is that the advance mechanism is more accessible with the latter. Unless you plan to do a lot of experimentation and modification of the advance mechanism, it is worth considering keeping the quite good Ford distributor.
The reason (so far as I can tell) that people convert Fords to use GM distributors is that the advance mechanism is more accessible with the latter. Unless you plan to do a lot of experimentation and modification of the advance mechanism, it is worth considering keeping the quite good Ford distributor.
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Dirt racer - I am trying to get the best bang for my buck, and this being my first v8 I doubt I am gonna buy a $500 or $600 ignition
Smoke n tires - If I am buying a points distributor and turning it to electronic anyway would it be better if I went with the gm style hei distributor?
Has anyone tried the hei distributors that are listed on ebay?
Smoke n tires - If I am buying a points distributor and turning it to electronic anyway would it be better if I went with the gm style hei distributor?
Has anyone tried the hei distributors that are listed on ebay?
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: midwest
maybe, but i dont know how much the gm ones cost and they are bulky and kinda ugly. i just thought if you wanted to stay stock looking the points conversion would be cool. i checked that link you had (dirt cheap ign), if that works its a pretty neat setup. ill have to try it.
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I totally agree with you on the look of a points distributor. The gm unit is bulky. Here is the one I am looking into
The thing is, Its cheaper for me to buy the hei unit from ebay than it is for me to buy the parts for the dirt cheap ignition link in post 1
The thing is, Its cheaper for me to buy the hei unit from ebay than it is for me to buy the parts for the dirt cheap ignition link in post 1
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
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From: Renton, WA
I really don't like HEI distributors the coil being in the cap really adds to the complication not removes it as you might think. I think smoke is on the right track here the pertronix units are great I prefer them to any stock ignition.
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What does it complicate? The operation of the distributor or wiring or?? If I go with the petronix unit, what coil should I run the canister type or the tfi style coil? Also I was looking on the petronix site and I cannot find the one with the rev limiter
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Renton, WA
I have never found a cap I like.
The connection from coil to rotor is unreliable at best.
Removing the cap is a pain in the a**.
The wiring hanging from the cap is unreliable it comes unplugged and you can't see the terminals to plug it together.
There are few good coil options.
I use the pertronix E-core coils they pump out alot of juice. http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/fla...0000_volt.aspx
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294779477
I do not beleive they make a unit with a built in rev limiter. Crane does though.http://www.cranecams.com/index.php?s...lvl=5&prt=1973
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch
I personally haven't yet used the crane system so can't speak to it's quality. But the fact that there is no added trigger to the points cam bothers me and has kept me from using it. Pertronix tried to do it that way for a while on another model and it was a huge failure.
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