Duraspark or RTR Dizzy?

[Shimmy]

There's so much info on the internet on either option, but i'd really like to get some tribal knowledge from the Bronco community. From what i've read, Duraspark is a nice affordable option with easy off the shelf replacements at the local NAPA. RTR (whether its MSD, Performance Igntion, etc) clean up the bay nicely, but reliability may be an issue, not to mention $$. Has anyone ran the NE Classic RTR here:

https://www.northeastclassicfordpar...ibutor-ford-260-289-302-small-block-male-cap/

I honestly don't mind the separate ignition module, but looking at a new wiring harness soon has me entertaining an RTR distributor. Whats everyone running? If you have a RTR setup, please mention what brand/model you have.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Duraspark.
How well an engine will run with either will depend on the tune in the distributor. How much advance, how fast.
Duraspark uses of the shelf parts. I am a fan of service parts you can pick up at any parts store over propritery service parts that 2 years from now you go to order up and they are on a 3-week backorder.

If I ran a speed shop, I would be selling you a ready to run. More profit to be made. Probably a faster and easier install. Less labor, more profit, how to make money.

 

[ntsqd]

No love for RTR's here either. As we've discussed in the recent past, I'd use a Perf. Dist GM HEI module to drive an OEM E-Core coil and trigger it with a D-S II distributor. Build a custom wiring loom that connects COTS parts together.

 

[FordBronc]

Many MSD distributors, specifically the Ready-to-Run (RTR) and HEI models, feature a built-in ignition module.
Here is the breakdown of how MSD distributors handle ignition modules:

• Ready-to-Run (RTR) Distributors: These include a built-in module and do not require an external ignition box (like a 6AL).
• MSD HEI Distributors: These come with a high-performance MSD ignition module pre-installed inside the cap.
• Pro-Billet Distributors: These typically do not have a built-in module and require an external MSD Ignition Control.

I got a DSII dizzy/module and wiring and it was easy to wire (for my buddy that is). And now I can carry simple spare parts in the trail box. I have no idea what spare parts you need to carry for a RTR or HEI set up.

 

[jeffncs]

Perhaps a less expensive option to consider…. The Pertronix drop-in unit is a 2-wire hookup. They’ve been around forever and you can get the Ignitor and coil at many (not all) auto parts stores.

 

[serial car restorer]

My take - Pertronix spark accuracy is dependent on how worn the original dizzy is. Mine had shaft bushings so sloppy that the dwell was bouncing all over the place. Not a good candidate for a conversion.

After looking into the RTR options, I ended up going DS II. Since good original parts are getting difficult to find, I bought a new replacement DS II dizzy, coil and aftermarket blue module from Rock Auto. It was all affordable enough that I bought a spare module to carry in the glovebox in case of failure. I've tested both of them, so I know the spare is good if I ever need it.

I installed all this during the complete re-wiring of my Bronc using a Ron Francis harness kit. The kit was built for normal points (ordered by someone else, I bought it unused in the box), but RF included instructions for hooking up DS II. All simple and good.

 

[ntsqd]

Our departed friend CAT had a decipher for "MSD", he called it a "Majorly Sh_t_y Device." I don't feel quite that bad about them, but I'm close to it. Accel used to make a far better distributor. Their Pro-Stock dual points were really well thought out and well made. They got bought by Mr. Trashket and that did them in. Now their product is rebadged Mallory product that had already been turned into junk before Mr. Trashket bought them.

My indirect experience with Pertronix has been even worse. Of the 7 buggies in the Buggy Brigade, 5 of them ran one and every one of them had at least one failure. They all carried a spare or the parts to revert to points. I ran a hybrid Toyota/Subaru electronic system very, very much like a D-S II and it never had a problem over the decade plus that I ran it. I know some here are really happy with their Pertronix, but I've not experienced anything really positive about them long term. They seem to be as voltage spike sensitive as the old Mallory Unilights were.

Thank god we no longer have to talk people out of Jacobs.

With a true HEI distributor there are two things that I've seen fail. Module, usually due to poor thermal conductance because of little or no thermal grease. Or simply a cheap one. If the power supply wire is too small for it's length it might starve for voltage and draw more amps than is good for it. Not sure, a guess on my part. 12 ga. is minimum and I think 10 ga. is reasonable.
And the carbon conductor in the cap to the rotor. For some reason those fail more than I'd expect, although I suspect that most of those failures might be attributed to the huge plug gaps that early HEI's had for their spec.
I'm not a fan of the huge HEI cap and I understand that they create a clearance problem in an EB. I am a fan of the "spark-plug" connector used on the HEI & D-S II caps. They're far better than the old socket type of dist. cap connection. I keep forgetting to make note of it's application and/or p/n, but there is a small cap, similar in size to the Ford points cap, that has the spark-plug type connections on it. Someone re-posted it in a recent ignition thread and I failed make note of it. Again.

I'd run a pure D-S II system if the modules currently available were any good, but nothing that I've seen or read leads me to think that they are. Which is why I suggest using the HEI module (particularly one from Performance Distributors) with the D-S II distributor and an E-Core type of coil. All OEM parts, excepting the PD module, with OEM MTBF life-spans.

If you want to spend money on ignition system parts, buy a set of Magnecore spark-plug wires. At least that is money well spent.

 

[bronco italiano]

DSII or DUI from performance distributors. I used that RTR you had in the link and the modules fail besides being junk quality. Cry once.

 

[bmc69]

For decades I've relied primarily on Mallory Unilite distributors. I still have quite a few but the reliability of the modules is something of a question mark these days. Over the last 40 years or so of running Unilites in boats, cars and trucks, I've had one module fail. On a trail rig, of course. Always carry a spare, though, and swapping out the module is retatively easy and quick.

I've accumulated a few NOS modules over the years so I'll keep using the Unilites until they bury me with one.

 

[Hopstr]

I've run a DUI from Performance Dist for years on my '68 without issues. Hood clearance is the only problem. Either relocate one of the hood support bows or add a 1" body lift.

 

[bax]

I too am a fan of the Mallory Unilite Dist. However mallory has pretty much been discontinued / bought out and much of the Mallory products are not available, or remade cheaper.

 

[73azbronco]

Duraspark, with MSD 6a. Spare msd if i think about.

 

[Jdgephar]

Someone re-posted it in a recent ignition thread and I failed make note of it. Again.

If I remember correctly, it's a Scout application. Looks like a '78 Int'l Scout II dist. cap is the one.

 

[Oldtimer]

Distributor male cap: Standard Motor Products AL482
OEM / Interchange Numbers: 12336836, 1W1494
International Scout II 71-80 304 V8

Distributor rotor: Standard Motor Products FD-311
Ford Bronco 66-74 289/302 V8

 

[ntsqd]

Distributor male cap: Standard Motor Products AL482
OEM / Interchange Numbers: 12336836, 1W1494
International Scout II 71-80 304 V8
View attachment 961861


Distributor rotor: Standard Motor Products FD-311
Ford Bronco 66-74 289/302 V8
View attachment 961862

Bookmarked this post, thanks!!

 

[ntsqd]

Distributor male cap: Standard Motor Products AL482
OEM / Interchange Numbers: 12336836, 1W1494
International Scout II 71-80 304 V8
View attachment 961861


Distributor rotor: Standard Motor Products FD-311
Ford Bronco 66-74 289/302 V8
View attachment 961862

Just to update this, in NAPA p/n's they list the cap as an "ECH AL162" I hope to pick one up today as I want to see how it fits and works.

Most of the IH engines got Prestolite distributors, but I'm dimly recalling that some of the really late in their Light Duty production may have gotten an Autolite distributor. The early 70's Scout II's that I've worked on and around (courtesy of MISF) have all had Prestolites and they were all points units. The only known to us electronic was a Prestolite Hall Effect distributor notorious for failing and zero support parts available. Which is how I came to graft D-S II reluctors and pick-up assemblies into them.

 

[bmbm]

There's so much info on the internet on either option, but i'd really like to get some tribal knowledge from the Bronco community. From what i've read, Duraspark is a nice affordable option with easy off the shelf replacements at the local NAPA. RTR (whether its MSD, Performance Igntion, etc) clean up the bay nicely, but reliability may be an issue, not to mention $$. Has anyone ran the NE Classic RTR here:

https://www.northeastclassicfordpar...ibutor-ford-260-289-302-small-block-male-cap/

I honestly don't mind the separate ignition module, but looking at a new wiring harness soon has me entertaining an RTR distributor. Whats everyone running? If you have a RTR setup, please mention what brand/model you have.

DSII is what I have had for years. It was even a better option when the vehicles that used them were always in the wrecking yards years ago. I got my distributor, module and almost new set of wire for around $50 total half price day at picnpul. Two different donor cars if I recall.

 

[bmbm]

No love for RTR's here either. As we've discussed in the recent past, I'd use a Perf. Dist GM HEI module to drive an OEM E-Core coil and trigger it with a D-S II distributor. Build a custom wiring loom that connects COTS parts together.

I have considered switching to the GM module if my blue strain relief module dies. One nice thing about the GM module is they are small and easy to carry a spare. You have a good combination of parts. Also the DSII distributor can be custom curved for you application.

 

[ntsqd]

If you can find a blue strain D-S II module that's dead then you can use it's exposed wires & connectors to make up the jumpers needed to plug an HEI module in place of the D-S II module. Screw one to a heat-sink with the thermal paste under it and figure out where to mount the assembly. In testing the HEI module's set-up it wouldn't surprise me if you leave the D-S II module place as the spare and run off of the HEI module because it flat runs better.

That was my experience over the Mopar modules anyway, but I've realized that those are vastly inferior to the D-S II module to start with. Eventually I removed the Mopar modules and didn't worry about a spare, but then I wasn't taking that car where AAA couldn't or wouldn't come get me either.