Distributor recommendation + Timing question

[SadbutTrue]

Okay I want to chuck my stock-style distributor. I need suggestions for a distributor that meets these needs:

1) Weiand Stealth intake... already tight fit with current dist and has had to be ground a good bit and probably needs more, as it still 'catches' and doesn't rotate freely when I try to time it. So it needs to be slim.

2) Has to work well with an MSD 6a, though I'm pretty sure they all do. Summit is running a deal where they give you a free coil with anew MSD distributor so I can match those up.

3) If need be, I can splurge for a pricey one but some people here were pretty adament about some budget options the last time I asked. Could someone rehash those ideas for me? It only needs to rev reliably to about 6k, but I do want it to be as easy as possible to set the advance timing and I don't want it dropping sparks.

4) Its on a 72' 351w. Not sure which deck height. Non-roller cam.


I also need to figure out the exact timing (yeah... been dragging my feet on this). When I last asked about this, someone said the only way to know for sure when its at 0 is to pull the #1 plug, insert something into the cylinder via the hole, and hand rotate the engine until you can tell by looking at whatever you inserted into the cylinder when its at the top. What do you guys recommend for that? Is there another, easier way?

Other people mentioned pointers... and I never really did understand how to tell which pointer you need (and there was a debate on how many possible pointers exist for SBFs... I heard 2 and 3 from different people). Do places like NPD carry these?

Thanks mucho

 

[Rapid]

MSD Ignition Products


Check # 8578

 

[TD68302]

Check out Mallory unilite electronic distributor mechanical advance #3755401, vacuum advance #4755401, should fit your 351W. They have small housing too, so the fit shouldn't be a problem.

 

[SadbutTrue]

okay, so you guys recommend going pure mechanical advance? the summit guy said if mechanical can only do about 35 degrees of advance, which is about what i've heard is what you want to run, so should I get the one with vacuum as well (and just plug it unless I need it?) are there any tricks to setting that up? I had heard magnetic is more reliable than vacuum. Will I need a different set of plugs etc? Or is the new distributor pretty much plug and go?

edit: a few of the distributors recommend ballast resistors, active power filters and other random stuff... are these (or anything else necessary)?

 

[67rcks]

I use duraspark with magnetic pickup and full vacuum advance I guess from 85 gt. I would not mess with adjusting the advance mechanically.

You need just proper connector because duraspark differs from msd (there may be a conversion though) or just use anything generic. Soldering is recommended.

To install it, you need a dial caliper with magnetic base. Put the caliper into #1 spart hole (it must touch the piston), rotate the engine clockwise, and when the pointer on the dial caliper changes the direction you are at TDC ==> now instal the distributor with rotor pointing to #1.

 

[Tim65GT]

okay, so you guys recommend going pure mechanical advance? the summit guy said if mechanical can only do about 35 degrees of advance, which is about what i've heard is what you want to run, so should I get the one with vacuum as well (and just plug it unless I need it?) are there any tricks to setting that up?

If you do a significant amount of highway cruising, you would want a distributor with vacuum advance. It gives you better gas mileage while under light throttle cruise. Do a search and read up on it.

I had heard magnetic is more reliable than vacuum. Will I need a different set of plugs etc? Or is the new distributor pretty much plug and go?

edit: a few of the distributors recommend ballast resistors, active power filters and other random stuff... are these (or anything else necessary)?

There are two main types of triggering. Hall Effect (magnetic) and Light. I have heard the magnetic is more reliable.

New electronic distibutors do away with the ballast resistor and probably have noise suppression bulit in so you shouldn't need any additional filters.

I would choose this one:

MSD Ignition 8578

+ Reliable, smaller body, good looking, runs with the MSD box
- $$

 

[woodsnake]

Jeez, again?

Duraspark distributor, MSD 6AL box. Motorsport plug wires.

D O N E.

 

[SadbutTrue]

Jeez, again?

Duraspark distributor, MSD 6AL box. Motorsport plug wires.

D O N E.

Yeah. I know, I drag my feet on this. Part of me hates the idea of even going beyond my current distributor (don't know if there's really anything wrong with it) but part of me both thinks its a good idea but also would probably be at least somewhat beneficial.

If it makes you feel better, I am getting thsoe wires and I already have a 6A (and don't feel like bothering with a 6AL).

Okay, I'm okay with going with the MSD low profile billet one. I don't do a ton of highway driving but definitely do some, is there any disadvantage (other than spending $80 more) to getting the version with the vacuum advance?

MSD Ignition 8478 - MSD Pro-Billet Street Distributors - summitracing.com

I believe thats the same thing but with a vacuum advance. Anything else I should take into consideration? Any more tricks to tuning? The MSD comes with a set of springs/weights for tuning the mech. advance right?

 

[Tim65GT]

Okay, I'm okay with going with the MSD low profile billet one. I don't do a ton of highway driving but definitely do some, is there any disadvantage (other than spending $80 more) to getting the version with the vacuum advance?

MSD Ignition 8478 - MSD Pro-Billet Street Distributors - summitracing.com

I believe thats the same thing but with a vacuum advance. Anything else I should take into consideration?

I don't know what accessory drive you have, but space is a factor with the vacuum canister. Sometimes it restricts the amount of degrees you can rotate the distributor to set the timing. You may have to pull it out and re-stab it one tooth. That is a pain with the hex oil pump shaft.

Here is a pic of how tight mine is. notice the modern 90 degree vac fitting to clear the tensioner bracket.

Any more tricks to tuning? The MSD comes with a set of springs/weights for tuning the mech. advance right?

Yes, and the instructions are pretty good. Any time you change your cam, fuel or air setup, it's good to know you can tweak the spark to go with it. I think I went with blue on the springs and blue on the bushing and it ran great ever since.

 

[grainboy]

I would agree with the duraspark. Inexpensive, reliable, and you can trigger it with almost anything. I use a 4 prong GM HEI module. I keep a junkyard spare in the glove box, just in case. I have it hose clamped to the coil, and it has survived the elements for a couple years now, so I trust it for road trips.

 

[woodsnake]

I have the complete MSD set up on my 69 351W, dist., coil, plugs, wires, 6AL.
Runs great, no problems, money well spent.

I have the duraspark on my 68......same thing, 500.00 less.

If you have the extra money, go for it. I don't have anything bad to say about MSD products.

But, on a street driven motor, you will need the vacuum advance, and a cost to benefit analysis hasn't shown me the flaw in a Duraspark.

 

[bnickel]

you definitely want the vacuum advance on the street, it just runs mauch better with vac advance, especuially if you have an automatic trans but it still helps with a manual trans too.

it's hard to go wrong a with a duraspark, especially if you aren't revving it past 6k, the only advantage to running an MSD dizzy over the dusraspark in this case would be that it's a little easier to tune, it's up to you whether the extra $300 for the MSD over a rebuilt duraspark dizzy from autozone is worth it for the easier adjustability or not. you can also get a new repro duraspark dizzy from Proform (not that Pro-Comp crap) for around $150 or less.


proform duraspark dizzy

Proform 66964 - Proform Ford HEI Distributors - summitracing.com


rebuilt duraspark from Autozone

AutoZone.com | Shopping | Parts | Product Detail - Distributor

 

[brianj5600]

If you use a duraspark you may need to modify the mechanical advance. When I checked my stock DS from a 77 van it 38* of advance. This means I would have to set the timing at 4 ATDC to get the total at 34 ATDC. I welded up the windows and ground them to give either 16 or 20 degrees. This post tells a lot about dialing in a duraspark Carbed Ford Message Board :: View topic - The Ultimate Duraspark Ignition Timing Guide

Edit: With your heads and cam you would need around 15* initial and 35* total. If you can get a 10L distributer it would work very well. I have never seen any info on what distributers have what timing. I bought an Advance Auto rebuilt and modified it. Also I have heard not all Vacuum advance cans on Fords are Adjustable, but of the 5 or 6 I have messed with all were adjustable.