I got a 89 f-150 with a 4.9 and I am starting to devlope a miss when it is wet out. So I was going to start upgrading the ignition system since mine is looking old. I am thinking about upgrading the, plugs, wires, cap/rotor, and coil with the Accel Highoutput coil and the Accel supertuner kit. My question is what is the advantage of upgrading the coil to a higher output compared to just getting a standard one from autozone there is a $25 dollar difference between them is it worth the price differnece and are the accel products any good

 

Do a search on this forum for "six liter tuneup"

 

First, about Autozone ignition parts: In one word, NO; in two words, HE** NO !!! I have seen nothing but problems with their cheap, substandard ignition products on many different vehicle makes and engines.

With that said, I HIGHLY recommend that you use Motorcraft (preferred) ignition parts on the 4.9/300, ESPECIALLY copper core spark plugs. Motorcraft cap, rotor, wires, and ignition coils are fine. If you can't find Motorcraft parts, Echlin and Standard ignition parts are just as good, and Autolite plugs are a very good substitute for the Mototcrafts.

As for Accel ignition parts, they are supposedly better, but I have never seen that much improvement in the butt dyno when I have used them on the 4.9/300s I have had. Maybe it is just me, but for the money, it is hard to beat Motorcraft, Echlin, or Standard ignition parts on the 4.9/300.

If you are looking for a little performance boost, CAREFULLY advance the initial timing in 2 to 3 degree increments and CAREFULLY listen for any signs of ping or "death rattle". I have used this even here in the desert, and have picked up a small performance gain, along with 1 to 2 MPG with just an increase to 13 degrees initial timing. Again, due to differences in vehicles and operators, you may find a different setting works better for you.

As a friend of mine said about the 4.9/300 ignition, "It doesn't need performance enhancing aftermarket parts to perform well. The factory stock parts, or name brand replacements from known quality manufacturers, work fine for most all uses". I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

A higher output coil allows you to increase your plug gap size, providing a larger spark kernel. This is known as the "Poor mans 6AL mod". A brass cap & rotor & superior wires (low ohm/ better than average insulative properties) will be needed.

 

thanks Everyone

I went and got Motorcfaft parts and put on the Truck seems to run smoother actually a lot smoother. I have a question though when I pulled the old cap off every contact point on the cap was melted what would cause this