What is the most reliable Ignition?

[Old Ironsides]

I installed a DUI ignition on The '76 17 years ago and it has performed flawlessly. So I decided to put the same on my '75 two years ago.

Since then, it has almost stranded me multiple times (I have a 160 mile commute 1-4 times a month). Each time it was the module. I've been through 5 of them in 7000 miles. Now it's doing it again, and I think I'll try replacing the coil.

I'm about ready to give up on it. I would love something that has no module to fail. Any ideas?

Cheers,

[KaiserMan]

I've driven Jeeps with points, HEI and DuraSpark. Points have hands down been the most reliable for me. They are extremely simple and parts are easy to get.

Quality ignition modules (for any system) are hard to get now a days. I had a BRAND NEW Echlin module bad out of the box, replacing a failed low mileage module that came in a rebuilt distributor. I'm running an NOS GM module now with no issues. Buy the best quality module you can.

[FSJunkie]

Points are very reliable if you know how to maintain them and the distributor. A worn out distributor will give you fits. Not many people know how to maintain points and their distributor properly any more.

The original Delcotron HEI is probably the most trouble-free and maintenance-free ignition for an old car. Some of the cheap Chinese aftermarket HEI's are junk.

[joe]

I'm with the others. If you do the simple maint points are ultra reliable.

[Tanker]

Points with MSD. Or just MSD.Ran MSD with points on a FE Bird ran a lot better an points lasted a long time.

[Old Ironsides]

Just points with no module... just a magneto like an airplane or lawn mower engine? Do points have a coil? Do these have a mechanical advance? What brand are you guys running?

[tgreese]

Use points to trigger a MSD module. The points will last a looooong time, since all they do is trigger the module. The module takes over the stressful coil switching. If the module fails, you can disconnect it and run points ignition till a full repair is possible.

The OEM Delco distributors on these Jeeps are very good, as points distributors go. I think the Durasparks also are good, except for their terrible connectors ... maybe clip it off and replace with a Weatherpack. The aftermarket Duraspark modules seem pretty junky ... but you can run a HEI module or a MSD module with the Duraspark distro.

[kansasboy001]

A little pricey but the msd distributior with an msd box and a oem ford tfi coil is a very solid system. The old non digital msd boxes are a little more reliable than the new digital ones too.

[acct21]

I was having fits with the (what looked like the original) Duraspark ignition box. The aftermarket one from NAPA was DOA, so went ahead and replaced the ignition with an MSD (which with an adapter harness from MSD plugs directly into the Motorcraft distributor). Also switched over to the Ford E-core coil, big cap and new wires.

Starts and runs better, and no hiccups after a year.

[SJTD]

I prefer compression ignition systems.

[bufurd]

I prefer compression ignition systems.

That said my choice is a points dizzy with a Petronix unit in it, very reliable without the fiddling.
That's what's in Abner, Bufurd and Delta. All have been flawless.

[NO6YHY]

Use points to trigger a MSD module. The points will last a looooong time, since all they do is trigger the module. The module takes over the stressful coil switching. If the module fails, you can disconnect it and run points ignition till a full repair is possible.

The OEM Delco distributors on these Jeeps are very good, as points distributors go. I think the Durasparks also are good, except for their terrible connectors ... maybe clip it off and replace with a Weatherpack. The aftermarket Duraspark modules seem pretty junky ... but you can run a HEI module or a MSD module with the Duraspark distro.

Can points be used with a TFI coil, and will the spark be as strong? I'd hate to lose the benefits of the stronger spark with my TFI upgrade, but would like the reliability of points.

[tgreese]

Can points be used with a TFI coil, and will the spark be as strong? I'd hate to lose the benefits of the stronger spark with my TFI upgrade, but would like the reliability of points.

That would not be my choice. It's probably ok, but the higher inductive kick from the hot coil might wear out the points faster. IDK.

The Duraspark module is just a big transistor that switches the coil. There is no spark enhancement going on inside the module. So the spark intensity will not be any different between the Duraspark module and points.

I was not suggesting running the TFI coil and points. However, the TFI coil combined with points and the MSD module would be fine. That's a spark upgrade - a longer, hotter spark - over just the TFI coil and Duraspark module.

[kansasboy001]

Points are the most reliable and inherently emp hardened, but modern magnetic pick-up distributors are pretty reliable. Even the factory motorcraft worked perfectly for 30+ years with only needing 1 new cap. And the msd dist is built even better. True magnetic pick-up distributors are much more reliable than the pertronix conversion and close in reliability to points

[NO6YHY]

Well, it's not the reliability of the distributor I'm worried about as much as the reliability of the ignition module. Using points lets me ditch the module.

Tgreese, you say you're not sure whether the TFI coil will be bad for the points, but you then say to use the points with MSD module and TFI coil. Does that not pose the same problem?

Maybe I should just change the module to MSD and not worry about points. But I've heard that even those go out.