Electronic Ignition

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May 10, 2000 | 08:37 PM

my4kids

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Electronic Ignition

Have a 71 camper special 2wd with a 360 and c6. Bought a 390 with a c6 for $650.00 I have taken out the old and am fixing to put in the new...but notice the output shaft is a bit different (must be from a car ?) but should be able to have a driveline shop fix me up a new driveline (patterns don't match). Also, the new has electronic ignition/distributor. I am wondering if all I need is an ignition module mounted on the firewall (will I also need to wire into my ignition wires ??) or should I just use the old points distributor ? Does anyone use the heat shields off the exhaust manifolds any longer ? Are they a necessity or is exhaust manifold gasket all that is being used ?

thanks,
mark

May 10, 2000 | 10:46 PM

DBF

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Electronic Ignition

Just a thought before you decide which you want, I have the pertronic setup in my truck and use the same type in a '57 Harley, the thing I like about the magnetic "points" is that if they die while on the road, you get out the old set of points in the tool box drop them in and off you go, it's the same and doesn't require ignition box or extra wiring. Most of the heat shields were to route hot air to the carb to speed up warm up even though the "cold" air is still taken from the engine compartment. They have the ceramic coatings for exh manifolds and tail pipes which get the hot air out the tail pipe amazingly well but it costs to have it done 150.00 or so for manifolds.....
Jim

May 11, 2000 | 05:18 AM

Huggy Bear

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From: Louisiana

Electronic Ignition

I installed electronic ignition on a 73 F150 that I had years ago.The only problem I had was I kept burning up ignition boxes.Until I found out that there is supposed to be a ballast wire between the key switch and the box.SO if you put a ballast (ala Chrysler) you wont have any problems.This is to keep 12 volts from going to the ignition modual all the time that the key is on.

49 F-1 (soon to be 460 powered streetrod)
50 F-1
83 F-150
94 Explorer
95 Mustang

If you listen on a quiet night..you can hear a Chevy rust...F-1s FOREVER

May 11, 2000 | 05:30 AM

William

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From: Sun River St. George

Electronic Ignition

Mark, Your drive line problems are going to give you enough headache! Keep your ignition system simple. Check your old distributor, to be sure it is in perfect condition or swap it for a remanufactured one, about $50.00. Eliminate the points using a Pertronix Ignitor system, about $80.00. Then read the technical article on this site about converting your cap and wires to the dura spark system...easy...not to expensive. I have done this on my truck with excellent results. I also use Autolite platinium plugs gapped at 40 with a Mallory Promaster coil. But a standard Autolite coil will work just fine. This truck runs regular 87 octane and gets around 10 MPG.
William in Atlanta

May 11, 2000 | 05:04 PM

Phillip Guidry

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Electronic Ignition

May 11, 2000 | 08:18 PM

my4kids

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Electronic Ignition

Not sure that the drive line will be a whole heck of a problem...The new 390 is hooked to a c6 but this c6 is either newer than the old c6; came from an auto and not a truck. The spline will be what requires a new driveline; I am told

. But on the ignition...once I have the correct module mounted on the firewall I don't know if there is to be another wire from the module leading to the ignition wiring. Guess I will find out....

thanks,
mark