Electronic Ignition? HEI Distributor or Conversion

[Subzero]

I'm compiling parts right now for the rebuilding of my 302 engine as it was knocking. Going with a full replacement of anything I can do to try and make it as reliable as can be. I always have used points before but after reading some old posts on this site I might just be convinced to swap the trusty old points out for some new tech . The old system has almost left me stranded a few times and actually left me stranded once- but thankfully I wa only 2 blocks from my house at the time. I've seen HEI style distributors, MSD boxes, and the conversion kits such as Pertronix and Duraspark. I'm going to run a MSD blaster coil to power them up. What's the best way to convert these trucks over to electronic ignition? Fancy parts are fine, but I just want the truck to be reliable as can be so I don't have to go back and buy a second part or anything later on down the road.

[sargentrs]

Personally, I like to put Ford in Ford. I've swapped to the Duraspark system on my truck and on my Fairlane and they both run great with it. The distributor and ignition box are readily available and inexpensive. The harness is the most expensive part of the conversion. I made my own but American Autowire sells one for about $100. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aww-500918/overview/

[Subzero]

So if I got with the Duraspark it is a 3 part system? The Pertronix kit on summit just has the under-cap parts and it reads like that's all you need. I thought they're basically the same system just different branding.

[Jacksdad]

I've run a Pertronix unit and Accel Supercoil on my 352 for quite a while now without any issues. I doubt if I've pulled the distributor cap more than a couple of times in the last ten years.

[Canonman67]

No the Pertronics is a straight points replacement part. Makes for an easy swap though you'll probably want to go with a higher power coil. I can't say anything about the Duraspark since I don't have any experience with it.

[sargentrs]

So if I got with the Duraspark it is a 3 part system? The Pertronix kit on summit just has the under-cap parts and it reads like that's all you need. I thought they're basically the same system just different branding.

The Duraspark system is distributor, ICM, coil and harness.

The Pertronix is a simple installation but I've had a bad experience with them in my Fairlane. I went through 2 in the space of 10 months. They just plain quit working. For the Pertronix, you will need a good, reliable 12v source and a non-resistor coil like an MSD Blaster II, Pertronix Flame Thrower or Accel Super Coil. I've done some research on them when I had problems and it seems like you'll find people that say they've never had a problem, like JacksDad, and you'll find others that said they always had problems, like me. Same with the Duraspark, though.

For the Duraspark, go online or to your local parts store and buy the distributor ($50) and the ICM with the blue grommet ($35), and the stock coil $12) for a 1976 F-100 with a 302. Then all you need is wiring. You can buy the pre-fab harness, make your own like I did, or pull one from any 1975-1980's Ford car or truck with a carb. I wired mine with a relay. Fired up first turn of the key. It's pretty much plug and play but you might need to tweak your timing and adjust your carb afterwards. I increased my timing by about 2-3 degrees and added 8mm performance plug wires.

[Jacksdad]

I ran my Pertronix unit for a long time before I began reading about people having problems with them. As sargentrs pointed out, they're not entirely without issues. I guess I got lucky as it worked out of the box, was a piece of cake to fit, and it's never missed a beat.

...I increased my timing by about 2-3 degrees and added 8mm performance plug wires.

Definitely spend the money on good plug wires when you upgrade your ignition system, particularly your coil. I learned this the hard way when I first fitted an Accel Supercoil on my daily driver, but kept the generic wire set. Came out of work one night to find it wouldn't start, and after pinning it down to a lack of spark, I found the end of the king lead that sits in the coil was completely charred. Switched to 8mm super stock wires and never had a problem after that.

[Subzero]

I got the coil and the wires covered already , bought a MSD Blaster 2 Coil and some Pertronix 8mm wires from Summit. I've had good results with the MSD Coil on my previous F100. Also went and bought a brand new Optima Red Top battery for the truck, some people swear by them and others seem to say it's just another battery so I figured I'll take a chance and see what it does. The plug wires I bought are for the points style distributor, so I'd need to return those if I go with a Duraspark setup.

[DuckRyder]

I'd probably just drop a MSD "Ready to Run" or similar (I think Accel/Holley makes one too) in it.

You can probably use a Standard Chevy points style cap on the MSD... (But check to be sure)

[colnago]

I went with Pertronix a few years ago. I bought a kit with the Flamethrower coil. The only mod I had to make was to bypass the pink ballast resistor wire under the dash. I also had to make sure the ring with the magnet was level with the pickup in the distributor (took me awhile to figure that one out). Other than that, the beast hums as well as a 50-year-old V8 with two burnt intake valves can hum!

Joseph

[Ranchero50]

I'm another that wouldn't do the HEI. The Chinese knock offs have quality issues.

Durasparks were OK if you kept a spare box in the glovebox and kept the wiring clean. The OEM insulation fell off and the dialectic grease made the connectors fall apart over time.

I've had a Mallory unilite in my '68 Fairlane since '92 and really like it except it takes a specific rotor that I don't think is avaliable anymore.

MSD's consumer grade stuff is garbage. God save you if someone strikes an arc with a 6al box installed.

I did Cranes mid grade stuff in my '93 Mustang and really enjoyed it.

Pertronix is one of the better stock quality setups out there.

[Subzero]

Might just end up with the Pertronix kit, seems like it might be the cheapest and simplest atleast.

I went with Pertronix a few years ago. I bought a kit with the Flamethrower coil. The only mod I had to make was to bypass the pink ballast resistor wire under the dash. I also had to make sure the ring with the magnet was level with the pickup in the distributor (took me awhile to figure that one out).

Joseph

There's already a ballast resistor on the truck from the factory? I had thought there wasn't one stock so I added one last time I used an MSD coil

[colnago]

The pink wire is the ballast resistor. Only used during ignition, if I recall correctly. During normal operation, another circuit is used for the 12V source. Again, as I recall, the Pertronix needs full 12V during start-up.

Joseph

[Ranchero50]

The pink wire is the ballast resistor. Only used during ignition, if I recall correctly. During normal operation, another circuit is used for the 12V source. Again, as I recall, the Pertronix needs full 12V during start-up.

Joseph

That's backwards. The pink goes to run at the switch. The brown (I think) goes to the solenoid start side to provide full voltage during cranking. They connect behind the ashtray and go to the engine bay through that four wire plug. Petronix wants full voltage all the time so you need to bypass the pink wire (it's about 5' long to get the correct voltage reduction) from the switch to the connection behind the ashtray. I had to do this for my diesel swap.

[Cuda883]

Following....Hey Joseph (Colnago) what type did you go with PerTronix I or PerTronix II . I am looking into making the swap in the next few weeks. 40,000v flamethrower coil and 8mm wires?