Electronic ignition for stock 351C?

I've been running the MSD 8350 "ready to run" without any problems. You can run it with or without the 6A box. I bought it so that in case my box goes out, I can rewire 3 wires and continue on my way. There is also a billet which requires the use of a ignition box. Make sure that you buy a small cap version.

There are plenty of people running the MSD that are happy with it.
I am not.
I find the MSD products lacking in durabilaty and prone to failure.
I started running thier products about twenty five years ago.
If they are better now, I can't prove it.

I personally would recommend switching over to the Ford Motorsport electronic distributor and brain. The advantage being that you can get replacement parts for it just about anywhere.

If the criterea for selecting systems is a small cap and the Motorsport is not, ask me. I have a small cap part number that works perfectly.

Just MHO. You need to hear all sides in order to make an informed decision.

I'd like that part number. I've been trying to find a small cap electronic distributor for the 351C to use with the SDS FI system that requires the Ford TFI distributor.
Thanks in advance,

Jim Cain
#5774

I’m not a fan of the MSD either. I tried to install one but it just didn’t fit very well. It’s taller than a stock distributor and it was touching both the firewall and engine cover. A better fit was the Malloy UniLite. I had several UniLite distributors over the years and they all failed mechanically. They just seemed to “fly apart” inside. A pretty billet exterior with lots of cheap stamped and pressed together parts inside. Currently I’m using the stock Ford distributor with a Pertronix electronic (breaker-less) module. First, the stock distributor fits great, no clearance issues. Second, the Motorcraft is way beefier inside. I never realized how cheaply made the UniLite was until I peeked under the breaker plate in the Motorcraft. And third, the Pertronix module is very easy to install, anyone can do it! If you think you need more spark, Pertronix has a low ohm – high output coil too. Personally I wouldn’t bother with the Capacitive Discharge box, it’s just one more thing that can fail. Keep it simple is my philosophy, and that’s what the Pertronix does.
One thing always worth mentioning is no matter what distributor you use, replace the pin that holds the gear on with a BIGGER pin! Being a bit of a perfectionist, I wasn’t happy using the standard “roll” pin the hardware store sells, I special ordered 3/16 “spiral” pins which are much stronger. Of course the pins only come in boxes of 100, so I have 99 spare pins. Anyone who want a 3/16 X 7/8 spiral pin for their distributor, just send me a SASE and I’ll mail it back with a pin in it. PM me for an address.
Here's a picture with the Pertronix installed.

The small cap is NAPA, # al 162SB OR AL 162
It uses the femal positive attachment spark plug wire like those from Ford Racing.

Make sure you get the rotor for it also.

One of those caps has aluminum terminals and the other is brass. I forget which is which.

I needed the small cap because of the limited space between the banks of the Weber carbs.
Certainly if you are running a derivative of that manifold such as IR FI the capa would be useful also.

I would post a pic if it wasn't installed. The only other way to take a picture of it now would be to use one of those cams they use for a colonoscopy.

The original application is for an International-Harvester carryall or pu, v-8, 70-2 vintage.

I used the Petronix on my 68 Shelby in the original housing. I love it. I think it is great and would recommend it to someone who wants to keep the original Pantera distributor housing.

There happen to be two Petronix kits for the Fords. One replaces the single point and the other the dual point distributor.

If you can install it in the original distributor in the Pantera in the car then your a better man then I Gunda-din. By the same token it is prefferable to do that rather then attempt to install a new distributor without pulling the engine

quote:

The small cap is NAPA, # al 162SB OR AL 162
It uses the femal positive attachment spark plug wire like those from Ford Racing.

Make sure you get the rotor for it also.

Thank you for the info.

Jim Cain
#5774

I hope it solves the problem.

If you need I can supply you with part #'s of the complete ignition you can buy right from any autoparts store in Ford Duraspark system .. only thing hard to find is the correct Module box. Hall sells the green color coded box with there system ..that came with my car.
I read some where that with a Duraspark you cant run a small cap or you will have arching from one terminal to the other... not sure because I had a Motorsport set up with a small cap ... its worth a try.

Ron

You guys are great, unfortunately you don't realize how totally clueless I am as far as how these systems function, can I do any of these things with the engine in the car? For now I am looking for what will work and what I can do without pulling the engine. I am going to try to look up the stuff everyone mentioned though, thanks for the advice. Do your systems maintain the vacuum advance feature - why or why not?

A stock Ford Duraspark Ignition will bolt right in the car with motor in it. The only thing is the distributor cap I will give you the part #'s for is the large one ...Dougs small one will work better. If you want to try the part #'s I will go to the shop and dig them out. It should all be bolt in and plug in. If your totally clueless ?? who will be helping you .. someone with some automotive electrical knowledge. Otherwise PI or Hall can sell you a kit.

As explained before this is the most releiable durable system your money can buy. Ford has produced hundreds of thousands with no problems.

Ron

Check out the information in this old thread about the Ford duraspark conversion:

DuraSpark 101

cowboy from hell

Another alternative I just read about on the DT Mail List, the Crane Electronic Distributor.
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=browseParts&lvl=4&prt=12...partNumber=1000-1605

Joel Montero has been running this distributor for about 6 months now. He reports that this distributor allows you to set the mechanical and vacuum advance electronically. And, the unit is
physically smaller than the MSD ready to run making the fit against the firewall and under the engine screen much better.
(source: http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2007-December/091450.html)

I ran a Billet MSD on my Ranchero with the 6AL box, never failed and I loved how the 13:1 351C never ran on. I put the small cap on mine when I went to the K&N fliter setup. It was a MSD part and I believe it was from one of MSD's GM set ups. I can research it when I get back home this evening. That Crane set up looks really nice. Whats the cost???
Jeff