New To Your Board,, Distributor Question

[OJTDJPR]

First Hello, I have been reading some of the posts on your board for awhile now. I have been a long time Jeep owner. But have a question I am hoping some one can help me with.
I have done a search and really came up with no anwsers to this.
I have a 77 J-10 with a 360 and quadratrac. It has the Breakerless Inductive Discharge ignition
system(BID), I am wondering how hard of a job it is to swap out and put in the Solid State ignition system (SSI). I know the control module, and distributor. But what else? Any help would be greatly appriciated. Thanks

[ June 09, 2002, 04:52 PM: Message edited by: OJTDJPR ]

[ColeTrickle]

Hello, nice to have another J-series truck owner.
This is the place to get your answers, however, not from me ;) .
Am I thinking correctly that you have "points" and want the newer style without?

I'm sure someone will be along shortly.

Good Luck and again Welcome.

[MIJeepMan]

You are correct in thinking you should replace the BID system.

If you want a simple, EASY, and cost-effective solution, get a POINTS distributor from an AMC V8 (68-74). I think they're like $50 rebuilt from parts stores... Then buy a Pertronix pickup module for it. Simple 2 wire hookup. No electronic boxes (like a stock 78+ setup) to mount (wiring, under the hood space, etc...) I think the Pertronix units are about $60 - $70. Just call Summit racing, and ask for one for a '72 Chevy Camaro with a 350. It's the same setup as the AMC.

You'll also want a good cap (Chevy cap and rotor, too). Make sure it has the BRASS terminals and not the crappy aluminum (oxidizes and wears out quicker - worth the extra $$$ for the brass stuff). Get a good set of plug wires, too. MSD 8.5s and Taylor Magnecore are the best of the bunch (not only my opinion, but lots of racers, too). But ALMOST anything is better than stock (I've personally had lots of problems with Accel wires, so I would NOT recommend them).

Hope that gets you off to a good start....

Oh... And a good, new set of plugs opened up to ~.045" are just what the doctor ordered with the above setup....

Matt

[OJTDJPR]

Thanks for the advice, If I dicide not to go with the points style how hard is it to swap in a 78 up electronic ignition system? The one that uses the ford style control modual.

[MIJeepMan]

Originally posted by OJTDJPR:
Thanks for the advice, If I dicide not to go with the points style how hard is it to swap in a 78 up electronic ignition system? The one that uses the ford style control modual.It's easy to hookup, also. Not as easy as 2 wires, but close enough.

You have to mount the Motorcrap ignition box. It has to be grounded (it grounds through the case).

2 wires to one connector: 1 12V always, 1 12V ignition, I believe.

4 wires to other connector: 3 to distributor, 1 to who knows where (don't have the manual in front of me...)

Matt