I should probably replace the original coil with something a little more powerful, correct? I started looking at aftermarket coils like the accel super coil and the crane cams coils that my local parts store sells. They say that the coils have Max Voltage 42000v. I have no idea if thats good or just some BS they put on the box. Is this an improvement over the stock unit? Any suggestions?
You're on the right track. Even if the new coil was rated the same as stock one, it's likely going to be an improvement anyway. If your coil is 42 years old chances are it's not putting out the same quality of spark it did when new.
There are definitely cheap coils with "optimistic" claims, but even still, they're probably just as good or better than the old one. So it's hard to say if the claims are BS or not. More voltage output is still better.
But you definitely don't have to have one of those monster Super Coils to get what you want from your ignition. At least not in this case. They DO work as claimed usually though. Just not needed for a stock 170 that you want to look stock too.
To keep the near-stock look, but still get more power, use one of the black cannister types from one of the aftermarket manufacturers. I prefer the epoxy filled type to the oil filled type myself. Just because of their theoretically higher heat and vibration resistance. Not that a cheapy replacement couldn't handle what you're dishing out. They're just better.
Both ACCEL (part #8140HV) and Pertronix have that type, as do others probably. Slightly different body shapes too, so you can look at each one to see if it more closely matches your old one.
The ACCEL looks more like the Ford types that were on the later V8's, but the Pertronix looks like most other coils so might be a good match for yours. Check them out to see.
I work with ACCEL, so am naturally biased, but I've always liked the Pertronix stuff too and use it still. Theirs is a fine coil and since you're ordering an Ignitor II from someone, you could just order the coil at the same time.
Too bad Mallory doesn't make a black version of their 29217 or 29219 coils. The labels on them look much more old-fashioned and would give it that nice "old school" look. Even though they're obviously not Ford stock, they'd give it a more period correct look than most others.
Hmm, you could always buy a new Ford coil, ya know? Bet it's twice the price or more of the others (if it's even still available). Or you can get a Motorcraft through your local autoparts store at a better price and it might be close to your original too. Worth a look-see anyway.
Oh, and with most of those coils and ignition products, you can do away with your original resistor wire too. You want a full 12 volts to go to both the new ignition module and that type of coil for getting the most bang from your spark.
Paul