distributor and engine question

[Zorm]

1) what can I do for a up grade on my distributor, right now its got points, D II? I also have an MSD 6 box I would like to hook up.

2) how can I tell the difference between a 302, 351, and 360 . Looking to go junk yarding for a temp exhaust system and if I find a good one or duel, I would like to know if it will be a bolt up unit or if I would need to cut-n-paste. Only trucks I can find are dent sides and newer.

thanks

[eggman918]

On 360's valve covers bolt to manifold AND head,small blocks don't.
351 is wider/taller than 302 ,but exhaust manifolds should interchange.
if in doubt look for engine data plate

[fordman]

duraspark is fords next electronic idea for your distributor. fe's have 5 bolts in the valve cover small blocks have 6 i think it is. 460 have 7 the 351c 351m 400 have 8 bolts. http://www.fordification.com/tech/engineID-V8.htm

[knightfire83]

To hook up a MSD 6 ignition box, you can wire it to a points or Duraspark distributor.

With Points:


With Duraspark:

[dustman_stx]

1) what can I do for a up grade on my distributor, right now its got points, D II? I also have an MSD 6 box I would like to hook up.

2) how can I tell the difference between a 302, 351, and 360 . Looking to go junk yarding for a temp exhaust system and if I find a good one or duel, I would like to know if it will be a bolt up unit or if I would need to cut-n-paste. Only trucks I can find are dent sides and newer.

thanks

Get a Duraspark for a 73 up with a 360/390, or get a Pertronix Ignitor and swap the guts on the stock distributor.

[cdeal28078]

I like the Dura-spark and either the stock box, HEI 4 pin or since you already have one the MSD box. You can run the original points Dist or get a Dura-spark Dist. with the MSD. Only thing about a points one is eventually the wear pad on the points will wear down. I was made to realize that on thins site. I had always heard that the points would last forever since no current was passing through them.
clint

[ForingaMex]

Another option: If you don't find a 360/390 duraspark distibutor, just swap the guts out of any V8 DII distributor into your points distributor. I think they all fit, I did mine out of 351M/400 into my 390 dizzy.
Jake

[Supermike]

If you're going to go with the Pertronix, go with the PII. It's a little more expensive, but it has the auto switch-off that prevents you from buring it up if you leave the key on. It was a pretty easy swap, all things considered.

[DuckRyder]

If you decide to go with a points eliminator, be sure to check out the disributor fully, worn bushings and advance plates can result in inconsistent timing.

My advice is to bite the bullet and put an MSD distributor in it, it will give you more accurate timing and better control over your advance curves.

[Dragon]

If you decide to go with a points eliminator, be sure to check out the disributor fully, worn bushings and advance plates can result in inconsistent timing.

Very true luckily both dizzys I converted to Accel Points eliminators was after I put rebuilt ones in to eliminate sloppy bushing and internal oil seal failures. After all these years most of our original dizzys are worn out no matter how good you take care of the oil changes. Ford did not expect us to be using them 42 years later. There are a lot of humans that don't last that long in good shape.