Distributor conversion

Charging, starting, lighting, gauges, HVAC

Moderators: FORDification, Thunderfoot

Post Reply
Teacherman
New Member
New Member
Posts: 75
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:13 pm
Location: Florida

Distributor conversion

Post by Teacherman »

What's the advantage from going from a points-type distributor to an electronic one? What's involved? (Yes, I got the thought from reading those "Did you know" boxes at the top of the page). :)
1972 F250 Crew Cab
Family heirloom

Photo gallery: http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... ?cat=10482
fordman
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 22329
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:17 pm
Location: Kansas, Ottawa
Contact:

Post by fordman »

well the reason for going to electronic is so you dont have to mess with the points any more. but it depends on whihc system you go with. every system has its flaws. it just depends on what you want to deal with.
User avatar
Chaseman
New Member
New Member
Posts: 133
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:18 am
Location: Prineville , Oregon

re: Distributor conversion

Post by Chaseman »

I've actually delayed on getting electronics due on a comment made by my dad. He said " what if decides to break , short out , you have no way of fixing an solid state electronic unless you got a spare module in glove box. But with points you can depending on your skill you can mess with enough to get to town or just got spare points and condenser etc. I have really bad luck and if something can go wrong it will so I've stayed with points but thats just me and my :2cents:
fmartin_gila1
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 284
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:20 am
Location: Arizona, Globe

re: Distributor conversion

Post by fmartin_gila1 »

I installed a Pertronix unit in my pickup about four years ago. Have not looked at the dist since. I do carry a set of points and cond just in case, but have not had to use them yet. You can also gap the plugs somewhat wider and get a better spark with the pertronix. Seems to start a lot easier too.
Fred
fitzwell
Blue Oval Fanatic
Blue Oval Fanatic
Posts: 779
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 2:16 pm
Location: East of a rock, west of a hard place

re: Distributor conversion

Post by fitzwell »

converted to a duraspark setup. If ford engineering spends millions on the design, it ought to be good enough for me :wink:

spare module & pickup coil behind the seat (where it's ridden for about 10 years) no worries.
As a metter of fact, i AM trying to keep up with the Jones'
Driving like Parnelli, Drinkin' like George
-------------------------------------------------------
Nausea
New Member
New Member
Posts: 114
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:51 pm
Location: Texas, Plano

re: Distributor conversion

Post by Nausea »

Even if you burn the electronic points out, a few hand tools is all it'd take to swap it back to points 'in the field'. Heh! Just as long as ya can get the dist back in pointing the same direction :D
-------------------------------------------
'72 F250 Ranger
Disk brakes, PS/PB, 360 2bbl
Current condition : beloved 'beater'
'70 F250 Camper Special
Currently in the shop, totally stripped
Teacherman
New Member
New Member
Posts: 75
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:13 pm
Location: Florida

re: Distributor conversion

Post by Teacherman »

So, in the end, the benefits are a little better starting?

That doesn't sound like enough of a benefit to tackle that as opposed to getting the A/C fixed. Or getting a new steering wheel. Or replacing the passenger inner fender. Or getting the right rear window fixed. Or getting new window fuzzies all around. Or saving up for a new paint job. Or replacing the air relief line on the auxiliary tank.

But it's still damn fun to drive. Besides, I like the stares it gets.
1972 F250 Crew Cab
Family heirloom

Photo gallery: http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... ?cat=10482
User avatar
1971ford
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 5565
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:05 pm
Location: Placerville CA

Post by 1971ford »

ewwwww electronics. another thing to break.
-Ryan
4th effie n counting
New Member
New Member
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:49 pm
Location: Alabama, Rocket City

re: Distributor conversion

Post by 4th effie n counting »

do 240 & 300 6s use the same distributer ? Meaning could i just drop in a later model 300 dizzy into mine?
67 F100 240 I6 3spd now gone :(
1971 F250 LWB FE power by FORD
oldyeller69
New Member
New Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:25 pm
Location: pine city washington

Re: Distributor conversion

Post by oldyeller69 »

i read somewhere that you could run an hei ign module instead of the ford module
ultraranger
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1147
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:15 pm
Location: Arkansas, Camden

Re: Distributor conversion

Post by ultraranger »

oldyeller69 wrote:i read somewhere that you could run an hei ign module instead of the ford module
http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/ignitio ... -case.html
Steve

1969 SWB F100 Ranger. 240-6, C-4, 9" N-case 31-spline Traction-Lok w/3.50 gears.

1968 Mustang. My high school car. Owned since 1982.

2003 Azure Blue Mustang Mach1.
User avatar
pincheweddo
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 363
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:59 pm
Location: Texas, Fort Worth
Contact:

Re: Distributor conversion

Post by pincheweddo »

I have one on my '47 ford tractor for years and as of last week, one on my 351w Bump. It is a more efficient system by removing moving parts and you never will question "did I get that gap right?" Anyway, I read this article a while back.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=18500
If Mr. Jalopy Journal caved I am sure there are many others to follow.
See project updates at:
http://1967f100.blogspot.com
Post Reply