Hey guys, I've got a stock 68 302 Mustang and I want to upgrade the ignition system. Eventually I'd like to use the car as a daily driver. Does anyone have any recommendations?
I also run the Pertronix igniter and flamethrower coil in my 68 302 daily driver, and I like the smooth performance and instant starts. The price is very reasonable for both parts and takes about 15-20 min. to install.
I'm rather fond of the 70's Ford Duraspark II setup. You can buy a rebuilt distributor at most parts stores, likewise the ignition box. You can work without out it, but it's nice to have the OEM harness the connects the coil, distributor, and box. A pretty simple upgrade as you can just hook one wire up to your existing power wire to the coil.
Pluses are that replacement parts are available at any parts store. The system has proven to provide good service in over a million Ford vehicles. You can use a high performance coil if you like. And if you later choose to go with some sort of MSD ignition box, they sell a cheap adapter that allows one to plug directly into a Duraspark distributor.
Minuses, ummm. The distributor will not appear stock to an educated eye. The distributor is a bit bigger and may possibly interfere with certain air cleaners.
More Duraspark info if you're interested: http://fordsix.com/duraspark.htm
And some good stuff to be dug up here too http://www.therangerstation.com/
I use the Petronix igniter with an original yellow top Ford coil and am very happy. If the old coil ever goes out I would upgrade to the flamethrower. This is all in a 66 daily driver.
Thanks guys for all your input. I understand the advantages of most other aftermarket parts offered for the 302, however ignition systems remain a mystery as to what there real advantages are. What does going to a new distributor/MSD ignition or HEI system offer?
Thanks guys for all your input. I understand the advantages of most other aftermarket parts offered for the 302, however ignition systems remain a mystery as to what there real advantages are. What does going to a new distributor/MSD ignition or HEI system offer?
more volts -->hotter spark -->more power/better gas mileage
Your stock stuff runs at 9 volts, whereas the aftermarket petronix stuff uses 12 volts. The coil is also a much hotter 40,000 volt coil (i think the stock is like 28,000 volts???) Thus, its a NICE upgrade thats easy to do and isnt expensive.
Can you still run an MSD with an electronic ignition setup, do you still have to? I've been running an MSD on my dual point for years & I can't remember the last time that I changed my points.
Can you still run an MSD with an electronic ignition setup, do you still have to? I've been running an MSD on my dual point for years & I can't remember the last time that I changed my points.