Points to Electronic Ignition

[EODMike]

I'm looking to switch from OEM points style set up to an electronic ignition. I have a Car Quest dizzy now with points. Is it better to swap to electronic via a kit from like Petronix or another brand or to replace the whole distributor? Original 302, Centech wiring harness, if that info helps.

Any experience feedback, positive or negative appreciated.

Mike

 

[SteveL]

I run the hei set up from dui in both broncos. Guys have had problems with the cheaper ones. The centech harness has a dedicated wire for the hei. Both products I tried from pertronix failed miserably.

 

[armynavy17]

I just switched to Duraspark II and love it. I had interference issues with my old HEI distributor and my new intake so it had to go. Pulled an original Motorcraft blue strain relief module, wiring harness, and distributor from a '80 F100 at the junkyard for $30. Then used the dizzy as a core and got a reman from NAPA, also a Motorcraft.

The Centech harness makes the wiring easy as long as you understand what the system needs. The centech directions are mostly correct, but the wording is awful. I'd be happy to elaborate with pics if you go that route.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Ford Duraspark is pretty darn good. There is even a way to swap the reluctor and pickup and keep the distributor you have now.

Keep in mind there is a lot of power and drivability in the curve of the distributor. They are not the same. So swapping the distributor will likely have a bigger change the curve than gains from going to electronic.

How about electronic with points? With all factory parts.
Just did this with my boat. Distributor for the boat is a bit odd. Use an early 90's truck remote TFI and coil, remove the condenser from the distributor. Learned about this when people were doing it to old Goldwings. Lots of instructions all over the net, search points with TFI.

 

[Jdgephar]

Another vote for Duraspark. I ran that with no issues until I upgraded to EFI. Parts available at any parts store if you ever have an issue.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[jckkys]

There are many reasons to choose Duraspark. The module includes a 4 degree timing retard to ease hot restart, that no other systems have. Long term dependability is far better than after market systems too. Read this; http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=19440

 

[broncogt]

I use duraspark dist. with a 4 pin HEI. The module is mounted mounted on an old pentium pro CPU heat sink. Search for duraspark with 4 pin HEI for diagrams.

Note how nobody is recommending an MSD box so far.......

 

[bronco loco]

Which duraspark distributor do you use with the 4 pin HEI? Year and model please. I use the steel gear dizzy on my explorer engine carburated with the HEI 4 pin module.

 

[armynavy17]

Which duraspark distributor do you use with the 4 pin HEI? Year and model please. I use the steel gear dizzy on my explorer engine carburated with the HEI 4 pin module.

You can retain the duraspark distributor and mount the 4 pin HEI module remotely (must have a heatsink and thermal paste). The HEI module replaces the duraspark module. The external coil is retained, I've heard you can switch to a TFI coil.

http://www.carbdford.com/tech/HEI/hei.htm

 

[Yooper74]

I just put a pertronix in mine. Runs very nice after. Super easy install . I did it partially to make it easy with less research / time invested into exploring alternatives.

Cannot report yet in long term reliability. Only a few weeks old

 

[Broncobowsher]

Which duraspark distributor do you use with the 4 pin HEI? Year and model please. I use the steel gear dizzy on my explorer engine carburated with the HEI 4 pin module.

Any duraspark. The magnetic pickup signal made by the duraspark is the same as an HEI. I've seen pictures of an HEI module inside a duraspark box, apparently bought from a parts store.

 

[armynavy17]

You can retain the duraspark distributor and mount the 4 pin HEI module remotely (must have a heatsink and thermal paste). The HEI module replaces the duraspark module. The external coil is retained, I've heard you can switch to a TFI coil.

http://www.carbdford.com/tech/HEI/hei.htm

I may not have understood your question. Any duraspark distributor that fits the engine will work with the conversation. NAPA reman distributors are actual Motorcraft housings. But you could also convert an old points distributor with duraspark internals. Mid 70's through 80's, any ford car, truck, or van with a carb if I remember correctly. If you end up swapping internals, they do need to be for the correct cylinder count.

 

[Boss Hugg]

Ya'll are going to have me swapping duraspark stuff into my cub tractor in which i just replaced the electronic ignition module. I diagnosed my intermittent engine dying to the ignition. 14 year old module. I must add tho, that I have not mowed yet with the new ign to know if the problem is solved.

OP, I would go duraspark for all the reasons mentioned by others. I did pertronix in mine before I went to EFI. Having run two vehicles with pertronix modules, one seems to have failed. I did something else that caused the one in the Bronco to physically burn while sitting in the shop. It sat for a week and I couldn't figure out where the electrical burn smell was coming from and it was scaring the crap out of my for my house! Finally went to crank the bronco and it wouldn't. FOUND IT! But again, that one was my fault. Left the key on with the battery charger on START. 15 volts solid for days. BIG OOPS. Other than that, no problems in the bronco.

 

[pipeline010]

I know others have had problems, but I removed the old P+C and switched to the pertronix all-in-one about 20 months ago along with matching coil. It's been absolutely perfect with no issues. I drive my truck every single day rain or shine.

 

[ngsd]

I know others have had problems, but I removed the old P+C and switched to the pertronix all-in-one about 20 months ago along with matching coil. It's been absolutely perfect with no issues. I drive my truck every single day rain or shine.

I just did this too. Quick switch and worked well out of the box.

 

[tatersalad]

I ran Mallory magnetic breakerless for around 12 years with no issues. Only switched when I went mustang efi

 

[gr8scott]

The module includes a 4 degree timing retard to ease hot restart, that no other systems have.

Not true. The Pertronix HP510 does it, and it's programmable from 2° to 18°.

 

[jckkys]

I'm glad that after something like 40 yrs. someone besides Duraspark has a cranking retard. How original.

 

[Eoth]

I ran Pertronix conversion for years... Zero issues, ran much better and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. One nice thing over other options is that you can install the kit without having to adjust your timing.

 

[pcf_mark]

Unpopular opinion but you can go MSD and not change anything in your current set up. Do not even need to take the cap off or get out a timing light. I did this all the time in the 80s-90s with older muscle cars.

Mount the box anywhere it is water resistant and wire it right to the battery. Then update the wiring going to your coil as shown in the directions. Done. The points are no longer opening closing the high coil voltage current they are low voltage on/off switch and they will never wear out or need to be replaced. The MSD charges the coil and tells it when to fire.

You get multiple fat sparks at low rpm for better idle and single high voltage sparks at upper rpm. MSD had a bad quality rep for a while because certain large box stores were selling Chinese knock off MSD boxes for like a decade. Once you se an MSD shoot a spark 6-8" inches you know you got a hot ignition.

DuraSpark and GM HEI are the most reliable thing I have ever seen but they do not always fit the space or aesthetic of my projects. You can stuff an MSD anywhere.