pre '78 ignition upgrades?

[tuck]

I've been digging around the archives, and I got really excited when I started to read about TFI upgrades for the 360, but then I realized that it is for '78 and up 360's.

What are the options for us pre '78 owners. Specifically I have a '72 360 V8. Is there a reasonable upgrade for my ignition? Thanks.

[RWC]

Upgrade to the Motorcraft ignition, then do the TFI upgrade. :D I've got an extra distributor and the wiring if you're interested.

RWC

[tuck]

I might be interested, I need more details so I know what I'm getting myself into.... are there any previous writeups on this? What all needs to be changed? The TFI part sounds straight forward, but getting the Motorcraft stuff in place, that's really new to me. Thanks.

[Sycho15]

You can pick up the wiring pigtail from a Ford pick-up, and cut it down to just the wires that you need with the nice little ends on them. I did this a little while ago and it worked out well.

The hardest part is not screwing up the two power wires for the module. One needs to have power while the key is in the START position (or was it start and run?), and the other needs to have power while the key is in the RUN position.

[Stuka]

Either move up to a duraspark ignition, or go back to points. the Pertronix is CRAP! After 2 years of screwing with it and replacing 3 ignition modules, I switched over to points. BM..no more misses, always starts first pop. And if it dies on the trail, I can be up and running within minutes.

[Cliff]

If Pertronix performed porly for you, it was because you had other problems in your distributor or timing chain. They will make little problems worse. But I have heard very very few complaints. I personally prefer the Duraspark setup. Swap the stock box for an MSD-5 or-6. Great combo.

[tuck]

Sorry, I'm getting lost here... which witch is which?
Duraspark, TFI, Pertronix, HEI, Motorcraft... do we have any synonymns here? So far this post has only confused me. Perhaps I need to re-phrase my question.

Those who have upgraded a pre-'78 360 ignition, what did you do, how did you do it, and would you do it again? Thanks.

[Stuka]

New distributer, new timing chain, engine tuned perfectly. They went out left and right. And it never ran on all 8, always had a miss. Neither me nore my uncle of 35+ years experiance could get it to run without a miss.

Switched to points and BAM...runs smooth...no miss...and best of all..no $96 ignition modules to replace every 10 months. I didnt want to spend 300 bucks on a ignition system...thats a waste. Points are good up to 5500rpm's, which my engine NEVER sees. And only cost me 18 bucks to replace every 10-20k miles. Inwhich case I have only put 14k on it in 2 years. So points will last me a while. Carry a spare set, and if they die ont he trail, pop the other set in.

Points = 74 and older Simplest formm of ignition..very few parts to go wrong..basically all mechanical

Pertronix = 75-78 sucks IMHO...stay away from it. Ignition module is poorly designed (becomming a electronics engineer slowly...so yes I cann say its poorly designed)

Duraspark = 79-86 I think, its a Ford. Great ignition system.

TFI = upgraded duraspark ignition found on F250 and F350 gasoline trucks in the late 70's and into the 80's.

[ September 10, 2002, 06:25 PM: Message edited by: Stuka ]

[Sycho15]

For upgrading the ignitions on pre-78 trucks, my choice for simplicity would be the GM HEI. Get one out of a Chevy 250, put an AMC 360 driven gear on it, change out the weights and springs, maybe get an adjustable vacuum advance, and it's a pretty no-brainer one-wire hook-up (ok ok, so putting the distributor in and setting the timing takes brains, even if wiring it doesn't).