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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
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Which igntion set-up?

  • Thread starter Thread starter grantur01
  • Start date Start date Apr 20, 2004

grantur01

Founding Member
Nov 7, 2001
226
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16
Dayton, OH
Apr 20, 2004
#1
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #1
Nobody answered from another thread (kinda hidden in thread)

But what electronic ignition should I purchase? I have seen the petronix ignition off of mustangs plus. That is the only electronic ignition I've seen so far. Is this a good brand?? Can anyone tell me what they used and has had good/bad things to say? Also should I get a coil pack also?
Thanks fella's and fellette's

Benedict Arnold of the modulars
 

Hack

15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2004
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Minneapolis
Apr 20, 2004
#2
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #2
I have a pertronix in my '70 vert with a 250 I6. I've had it for close to 10 years, and it's great in my opinion - never a problem. I could swear my power and mileage improved when I got it.

The best thing about it in my opinion, is I don't have to replace or adjust points. I never could get those darn things to work as well as I wanted. Plus I'm kinda lazy, so I prefer to have things I don't have to mess with.

I thought the install was very easy too.

I don't have any experience with other ignition mods. The rest of my system is stock. It works fine for me; I mostly want my car to run well.
 
M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.
Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
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North Carolina
Apr 20, 2004
#3
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #3
I've heard good and bad about Petronix but most of the bad was due to somebody hooking a wire up wrong and immediately frying the unit. Other options to consider are a new distributor with all of the electronics built in: MSD and others have them for our cars. You could also run an aftermarket electronic ignition box fired by your points or lastly, install an aftermarket dist. with a box.
 
J

jesserose17

New Member
Aug 21, 2003
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Southern CA
Apr 20, 2004
#4
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #4
I would go with Mallory or Accel if you want to upgrade with the distributor. I have heard too many bad things about MSD. Pertronix is a good simple upgrade. I have my Pertronix II and no troubles - runs great.
 
M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.
Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
2,976
1
56
North Carolina
Apr 20, 2004
#5
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #5
I have also heard of people using a stock Ford Duraspark ignition from a later year car.
 

65fastback2+2

New Member
Aug 4, 2003
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Louisville, KY
Apr 20, 2004
#6
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #6
whats the difference between a petronix ignitor 1 and an ignitor 2?? Is there a difference between the 1 and 2 point verion. Cuz I dunno if my 302 has 1 or 2 points and im too lazy to look ha
 

Hack

15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2004
1,945
13
69
Minneapolis
Apr 20, 2004
#7
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #7
mustangdave said:
I have also heard of people using a stock Ford Duraspark ignition from a later year car.
Click to expand...
Do you have any more details such as model year info or a web site link? This sounds like a great idea for cheapskates like me who like to make do with junkyard parts when they can.
 

muddslide

New Member
Mar 10, 2003
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DAYTONA BEACH
Apr 20, 2004
#8
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #8
I have always used msd and never had a problem. Just my 2 cents
 
T

tomcatgt

New Member
Aug 5, 2003
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Oklahoma
Apr 20, 2004
#9
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #9
Got a dual point Pertronix 2 in my 65. Noticed an immediate difference in power and starting. It's a fairly cheap way to go for what you get. Plan on setting the timing after installation.
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
2
39
Middle TN
Apr 20, 2004
#10
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #10
I say duraspark + MSD box. I think around 75 they came out, but not sure. Sometime in the eighties they change to eec I think. EEC's won't work w/o a computer. I ran this set up on a 7500 rpm 302 with a 200 shot and it worked great.
 

PoliceInterceptor

Keeper Of Automotive Oddities
Founding Member
Aug 5, 1999
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46
Live in GA, But could be any where really.
Apr 21, 2004
#11
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #11
Stay away from the plain ignitor. people have burned them up by leaving the key on like listening to the radio.

The ignitor two is reported to be much better.

I personaly like the crane:

 

SadbutTrue

Founding Member
May 1, 2002
2,390
4
49
Granada Hills, California
Apr 21, 2004
#12
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #12
MSD is easily the most popular for muscle cars, Pertronix is up there too. Pertronix is a simple upgrade that makes your car more efficient, slight increases in power and mileage (mostly mileage if anything), also might make it start up easier on a cold morning. For under 100 bucks you can't go wrong. Even with MSD/Mallory/Accel ignitions don't expect a real seat-of-the-pants improvement in power though, they are mostly a device that allows your other engine components to reach their potential.
 

grantur01

Founding Member
Nov 7, 2001
226
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16
Dayton, OH
Apr 21, 2004
#13
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #13
tomcatgt why would you have to set the timing again. As long as you don't turn the engine over when you take the distributor apart. Is this incorrect????

Thanks for the info on the ignition set-up
 
C

Cantedvalve

Founding Member
Aug 15, 2002
47
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0
Apr 21, 2004
#14
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #14
I have always been fond of MSD. I run a Pro-Billet distributor, 6AL box, and Blaster 2 coil. My MSD box fried out no sooner than I installed it (I might have wired it wrong), and MSD had it repaired and returned within a week. Good customer service, and a great product IMHO.
 
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