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08-07-2017, 03:49 PM
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258 I6
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Join Date: Jul 06, 2014
Location: Santa Barbara
Posts: 409
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What is the most reliable Ignition?
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,
__________________
Grant
'76 J-10, 401 (1406/2131/DUI/RV Cam), TH400, Part Time, 3" lift, 33s, 346K Miles
'75 J-10, 360 (1406/2131/MSD), TH400 QT, 6" lift, 33s, 100K Miles
'77 Cherokee Chief, 401/Th400, QT, 4" lift... Totalled
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08-07-2017, 04:11 PM
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I got the Willys....
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Join Date: Jun 21, 2005
Location: Huntington, Ma.
Posts: 8,700
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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.
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Thomas Russell
1975 Chevy K20 8400lb GVW Camper Special
1971 Gladiator J2000 Platform-Stake Dump 350/T18
1970 Gladiator J3000 3407Z Camper Truck 350/T18
1963 Gladiator J300 Townside 350/TH400
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08-07-2017, 06:48 PM
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The Nigel Tufnel of the FSJ world.
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Join Date: Jan 09, 2011
Location: Not The Hot Part, Arizona
Posts: 3,973
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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.
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'72 Jeep Wagoneer Custom, 360 V8
I love how arguements end as soon as Ristow comments. Ristow is right...again.
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08-07-2017, 08:35 PM
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Join Date: Apr 28, 2000
Location: PNWet, USA
Posts: 22,349
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I'm with the others. If you do the simple maint points are ultra reliable.
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joe
"Don't mind me. I'm just here for the alibi"
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08-07-2017, 08:52 PM
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350 Buick
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Join Date: Jan 04, 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 844
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Points with MSD. Or just MSD.Ran MSD with points on a FE Bird ran a lot better an points lasted a long time.
__________________
Owner of Jakes FSJ Junkyard  91 Jeep Cherokee /2006 3500 Dodge AKA Babe the big blue puller
Hire the handicapped, they are fun watch!
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08-08-2017, 07:50 AM
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258 I6
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Join Date: Jul 06, 2014
Location: Santa Barbara
Posts: 409
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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?
__________________
Grant
'76 J-10, 401 (1406/2131/DUI/RV Cam), TH400, Part Time, 3" lift, 33s, 346K Miles
'75 J-10, 360 (1406/2131/MSD), TH400 QT, 6" lift, 33s, 100K Miles
'77 Cherokee Chief, 401/Th400, QT, 4" lift... Totalled
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08-08-2017, 11:27 AM
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Join Date: May 29, 2003
Location: Medford MA USA
Posts: 11,095
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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.
__________________
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination ATs, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
ECO Green: '15 FCA Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk
Last edited by tgreese : 08-08-2017 at 12:11 PM.
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08-08-2017, 05:06 PM
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232 I6
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Join Date: Nov 06, 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 163
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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.
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08-08-2017, 06:17 PM
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327 Rambler
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Join Date: May 20, 2014
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 719
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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.
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1990 Grand Wagoneer with HD towing package -- everything works! (for now...)
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08-08-2017, 10:06 PM
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350 Buick
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Join Date: Apr 26, 2012
Location: Lompoc and Sunland, CA
Posts: 1,323
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I prefer compression ignition systems.
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Sic friatur crustulum
'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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08-09-2017, 04:29 AM
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327 Rambler
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Join Date: Apr 13, 2008
Location: ashland wi.
Posts: 533
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SJTD
I prefer compression ignition systems.
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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.
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Current fleet
Abner-73 He started it all in 1979 (plow truck now)
Bufurd-69 Fixed up to take Abners place as DD
Delta-70 Built for fun, 455 Olds, T-18, D-20, 4:10 gears
Humpty-74 J-20 4BT, NV4500, 30+MPG
07 JK Wife bought new...
13 Grand Cherokee Trail Hawk, wifes new ride
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08-09-2017, 10:43 AM
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Grease Monkey
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Join Date: Jan 11, 2004
Location: Dallas/Houston
Posts: 360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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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.
__________________
\"The General\"<br />1976 Cherokee Chief W/T 360<br />Carter AFB-9635<br />TFI... Done!<br />TH 400<br />Borg-Warner Quadratrac hi-lo & part-time<br />Dana 44\'s (3.54)<br />Flowmaster<br />*uva uvam vivendo varia fit*
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08-09-2017, 10:56 AM
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Join Date: May 29, 2003
Location: Medford MA USA
Posts: 11,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NO6YHY
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.
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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.
__________________
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination ATs, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
ECO Green: '15 FCA Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk
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08-09-2017, 03:53 PM
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232 I6
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Join Date: Nov 06, 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 163
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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
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08-09-2017, 04:13 PM
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Grease Monkey
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Join Date: Jan 11, 2004
Location: Dallas/Houston
Posts: 360
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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.
__________________
\"The General\"<br />1976 Cherokee Chief W/T 360<br />Carter AFB-9635<br />TFI... Done!<br />TH 400<br />Borg-Warner Quadratrac hi-lo & part-time<br />Dana 44\'s (3.54)<br />Flowmaster<br />*uva uvam vivendo varia fit*
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08-10-2017, 07:07 AM
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350 Buick
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Join Date: Sep 04, 2014
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 825
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Using the MSD box takes the load off of the points so you can then use the TFI coil. The points just tell the MSD box when to turn the coil on an off.
Thats why everyone is saying the points will last a very long time if you use an MSD box.
__________________
2004 Jeep Liberty
1998 Jeep ZJ 5.9
1994 Jeep ZJ I6
1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 360
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08-10-2017, 09:22 AM
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Join Date: May 29, 2003
Location: Medford MA USA
Posts: 11,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NO6YHY
... Does that not pose the same problem?...
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No. With any module, the module receives a trigger from the distributor which commands the module to switch the coil. With points, the points themselves are the switch for the coil. An MSD module can accept a trigger from the points just like a trigger from a magnetic pickup. The module then switches the coil.
__________________
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination ATs, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
ECO Green: '15 FCA Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk
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08-10-2017, 10:23 AM
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Grease Monkey
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Join Date: Jan 11, 2004
Location: Dallas/Houston
Posts: 360
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Got it. Thanks.
__________________
\"The General\"<br />1976 Cherokee Chief W/T 360<br />Carter AFB-9635<br />TFI... Done!<br />TH 400<br />Borg-Warner Quadratrac hi-lo & part-time<br />Dana 44\'s (3.54)<br />Flowmaster<br />*uva uvam vivendo varia fit*
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08-10-2017, 12:19 PM
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360 AMC
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Join Date: Oct 31, 2016
Location: Camarillo, CA
Posts: 2,859
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SJTD
I prefer compression ignition systems.
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Oh! You mean like this:
http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2017/08/...e-in-2019.html
for the record, that was a rhetorical question. I knew you meant Diesels.... 
__________________
79 Cherokee Chief, barely runs 
( Cherokee Build Thread)
11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
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08-11-2017, 07:37 PM
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Gone,Never Forgotten.
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Join Date: Nov 22, 2009
Location: Mesquite Texas
Posts: 8,622
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MSD distributor
MSD TFI coil
MSD 6A box
Set it & forget it. No Maintenance no points to maintain No load on the sensor. One & Done. Cheap, best system No brainer.
Can't afford the MSD Dizzy?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amc-Jeep-290...ZZR4ak&vxp=mtr
Find an MSD controller used on ebay or Criagslist. No maintenance simple the best
__________________
80 Cherokee
360 ci 727 with
Comp cams 270 h
NP208
Edlebrock performer intake
Holley 4180
Msd total multi spark.
4" rusty's springs
Member, FSJ Prissy Restoration Association
If you can't make it better why waste your time. No use repeating the orignal mistakes. I'm to old to push it that's why.
Last edited by serehill : 08-11-2017 at 07:49 PM.
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