[DeTomaso] Electronic ignition

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/30/08 11:47:14 AM, boyd411 at gmail.com writes:
snip.....
> It has no points but the pointless ignition is in the original distributor. 
> I want to upgrade to a more modern electronic ignition and I am looking for 
> input as to what brand /model of coil, distributor, plugs, wires etc. would 
> be recommended.
> 
I can tell you what worked for me on our street car. A factory Duraspark for 
a Ford 400/429/460 is a drop-in replacement for a 351C, gear and all. An 
e-coil for the '87-up Fords is more robust than the canful-of-oil style used 
previously and needs zero modification with this distributor. If you screw up 
somehow and lose the brainbox, they are $49 at any auto parts store in the civilized 
world, even on Sundays. Racers also use them successfully. Its possible to 
spend much more for the same or worse reliability and performance. And after 
careful measurement between the 4" dia. small-cap distributor you have and the 
firewall, you'll find if a 5-1/4" dia. big-cap distributor will fit your car. 
FWIW, the distributors are identical, only the cap size varies, and that 
determines the type of plug wires each cap takes (distributor insulators differ). If 
a big cap won't clear your Pantera firewall by at least 1/4" and you still 
want one, shifting the entire engine/transaxle backward a little is a Saturday 
afternoon job with a hand drill & a floor jack, and solves the cap-clearance 
issue without causing more trouble. Good luck- J DeRyke



**************
Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial 
challenges?  Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and 
calculators.
      (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)