I'm looking at replacing the ignition in my 66 with 289... The stock stuff is well past its prime and is in need of replacement from the distro to the wires. What are you guys using? Nothing over the top as the engine is basically stock.
The previous owner of my 67 installed a Unilite distributor conversion using the factory distributor and an MSD6A. It ran really well, especially on cold mornings and in first to second gear. The MSD6A has since died (major PITA to trouble shoot when it is intermittent trouble). I bypassed the MSD box and just run without it.
I've owned the car for almost seven years now with just one distributor cap and Unilite rotor change. I changed the rotor just for the heck of it after the cheap cap literally blew it's top off!
i have used the stock duraspark system with no issues, and i have used the allison XR700, but my current favorite system is a stock duraspark dist hooked to a chrysler ignition box and a blaster lll coil. i have also use a unilte system. overall these days they are all good, it just depends on how much money you feel like spending on an ignition system.
I am using a Duraspark distributor with a GM HEI module and stock replacement coil. I already had the coil and I have less than $70 in the distributor and module.
Dura spark and MSD 6A or AL. The duraspark box works very well also. I have a complete MSD set up in my 69, and I have a complete durapsark in my 68. For a street driven motor, or somethign that rarely see's the track, duraspark is the way to go.
I think the Duraspark box also has a provision to hook a wire up to cranking power. That way it pulls timing back to base to give the starter motor an easier time. Also good for engines with lots of compression.