I just picked up a new motor for my '58--an early 90's 5.0 'Stang GT ( roller cam) motor. Looking for some advice for a full electronic ignition setup that will look like an early 60's 260/289, but have a nice hot spark. Can I just buy an old Autolite distibutor from ebay, and outfit it with a Pertronix unit, and a steel gear for the roller cam? is there anything that I'm missing? (The Ford Duraspark or ebay "HEI" distributors are out of the question so far-- would like something closer in appearance to the old points type distributor, without having to let go of a full $400 for an MSD setup.) Thanks
Use the non-EFI Duraspark, just remove the adaptor for the large cap and run the 'standard' cap; the Duraspark shares the same housing with the older points distributor. You will need to change the distributor gear to steel for the roller cam.
Get one for an '85 Mustang with the H.O. engine. It had the steel gear for the roller cam and was regular Duraspark ignition used with a carb. The Duraspark distributor can be run with a factory, aftermarket or even a GM HEI module. If you're starting from scratch, a hybrid system may be the way to go. Duraspark distributor, HEI module, and later TFI coil. The TFI coil is ugly, but it runs on a full 12 volts with no resistor for a hotter spark. The HEI module will handle the full 12 volt switching. You'll need to mount the module on a heat sink with good thermal paste. Another option is using a points distributor to trigger a TFI module and coil. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tfi-using-points-how-to.374699/
Pertronix has units fot Mallory 25 26 YD YL 8 cylinder distributors you will just need a coil. Mallory dual points units scream old hot rod.
Sweet. Ok, so i just ordered a Cardone #30-2831: Remanufactured 70's style Duraspark distributor, has a vacuum canister- AND the steel drive gear ($50 from the 'Zone, no core charge). All that's needed now is an HEI module and a $35 coil. Fantabulous.
I really dig that option- with a chrome cylindrical coil, and the red anodized "Mallory" tag right up front on the distributor housing. ....it's more of a "shop truck" at this point
Make sure you have the advance curve taylored to your engine. Most of those generic rebuilds come with a real questionable mechanical advance curve.
Dura Spark with cap adapter removed and GM HEI brain is the answer . Early distributer shafts and a bit smaller diameter that later distributer shaft diameter . You will need aftermarket gear or shim to correct shaft size . It will work better than any aftermarket ign. Good Luck Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
On a few customers cars I've had to modify dome right out of the box. Had one car come in with 8 degrees initial, 54 total. Sent from my SM-S902L using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have a D uraspark system on the 351 in my 55 and to the untrained eye looks like a points system,I hid the module under the battery.
I Picked up a cardone reman Motorcraft distributor with durapsark internals and a steel gear. Still no module or coil. The cap/rotor is for a '70 mustang. Still need non-EFI pulleys, fan, etc.