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Old 10-02-2010, 12:19 PM   #1
Bill in Al
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Default Electronic Distributor ?

Does anyone make an electronic ignition for the helment coil type distributor? Thanks
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Old 10-02-2010, 12:20 PM   #2
Bill in Al
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

Helmet !!
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Old 10-02-2010, 12:33 PM   #3
ken ct
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

The electronic people tell you when you buy one to have a spare stock one in the trunk with you where ever you go? What does that tell you???? ken ct.
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Old 10-02-2010, 12:42 PM   #4
Kahuna
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

Bill,
I converted one 17 years ago for my 39 Ford. It's been one of the best things I could have done. I used a Pertronix unit. I also converted the car to 12 volts at the same time.
Jim
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Old 10-02-2010, 02:26 PM   #5
Bill in Al
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I








KAHUNA;

I couldn't find one in the Pertronix listings. They only listed one for 49-53. I'll make a phone call Mon. You wouldn't happen to have the part no.? Bill
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Old 10-02-2010, 03:37 PM   #6
Charlie ny
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Bill,
When they are good they are good...when they are bad you are
stranded. I ran one that was flawless for 2 years...it died one hot day
as I was crossing the Grand Island bridge....at the top. Thankfully a
good samaritan came to my aid. You get no warning that's my big gripe,
with points you usually get a subtle message your distributor is not
happy.
JMHO
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Old 10-02-2010, 05:08 PM   #7
Lawrie
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

If you have or know some one with a little machinig ability you could adapt an MSD setup inside,but only with 12 v I would think.
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Old 10-03-2010, 05:31 AM   #8
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

My friend Wilbur made his own from a modern ford car dist. and original flathead dist. I don't know if I can get pic. or not Later Jack
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Old 10-03-2010, 06:10 AM   #9
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I post my experience about once a year, when this subject comes up.

I have been running a Mallory electronic ignition on my AV8 for over 58,000 miles now. It has been on three different engines. However, I have never gone on a trip without having a Ford distributor in the spare parts box. I stopped using the red Mallory caps as they only lasted a year and were about twice the cost of the Ford ones. I buy the black caps with the brass terminals. The cap on my car now, has been there for three years.
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Old 10-03-2010, 08:36 AM   #10
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I've run a Pertronix in my '50 for 8 years and 13000 miles with no problem, but I do have another unit in the trunk. Now, I don't carry a spare distributor or extra points, condenser. I've had electronic ignition in all my modern cars since the 70's through no fault of my own.
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Old 10-03-2010, 09:22 AM   #11
joe plumber
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I have ran a Pertronix for 5years without any problems Time will tell.
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Old 10-03-2010, 10:44 AM   #12
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I have a complete Redmund 12V electronic disc. as new ,I will sell if interested Johnny.
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Old 10-03-2010, 11:27 AM   #13
hotrod8
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

bubba ; speedway in. he makes ignition for anything !!!! he is on here somewhwere, ?? i got a 8ba dist from him ,,,,,,,,,,
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Old 10-03-2010, 12:08 PM   #14
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

my .02 cents, rebuild your dizzy, set teh points, use an msd 6 box triggered off the points. Points see no load, wont arc spark or burn.

Msd boxes are nearly bulletproof and I have seen few failures and have installed hundreds of them.

Use a blaster 2 coil. If teh msd box fails (it wont), hook a jumper from any ignition hot source to the positive side of the coil, another jumper from negative side of coil to the points. Now your ignition will work like stocker and get you home.
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Old 10-03-2010, 12:13 PM   #15
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

av8paul, where do you get the black caps for the Mallory?
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Old 10-03-2010, 12:20 PM   #16
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I have run electronic distributors on both my flatheads for 12 years with zero problem. Why should there be a problem? If you have a generator instead of an alternator, you could blow out the module. I read lots of gripes about electronic distributors, but don't fortget, your family daily driver is probably using an electronic ignition flawlessly, so why shouldn't your hobby car run without problems. Mine does as well as my home car. If you are going to use an electronic ignition, be sure to use an alternator and not a generator.
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Old 10-03-2010, 12:42 PM   #17
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobM View Post
av8paul, where do you get the black caps for the Mallory?
I can't remember which supplier I got the last one thru, but most all of the guys carry the caps. It's just a regular Ford 21A cap. (1942-44) Just make sure you ask if they carry the one with the brass terminals and not the aluminum ones.
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Old 10-03-2010, 12:44 PM   #18
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Nelson View Post
I have run electronic distributors on both my flatheads for 12 years with zero problem. Why should there be a problem? If you have a generator instead of an alternator, you could blow out the module. I read lots of gripes about electronic distributors, but don't fortget, your family daily driver is probably using an electronic ignition flawlessly, so why shouldn't your hobby car run without problems. Mine does as well as my home car. If you are going to use an electronic ignition, be sure to use an alternator and not a generator.

Correct about using an alt. A gen requires a voltage filter. Summit carries the one for the Mallory dist.
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Old 10-03-2010, 01:10 PM   #19
Bill in Al
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

AV8PAUL; "If it's too loud you're too old"?? Heck I'm so old and rode with straight pipes so long that nothing's too loud now!! My '30 tudor's still using old points and I guess the '41 tudor will too. From all the answers here,I guess no one makes an easy swap-out for front 2 & 3 bolt dizzys anyway. I do have electronic on my '64 Galaxie and it's worked well for 3 years. Thanks to all for the responses--Bill
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Old 10-03-2010, 07:49 PM   #20
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I have a late flathead in my 34 ford, and in 8 years and 17,000 plus miles I have never had a whimper of a problem with the stock points distributor. Just last week I decided to check the timing and vacuum advance,( there is no centrifugul advance in these) just to be sure......It's all as originally set. This "load a matic distributor works great with dual 94 carbs. Bill
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Old 10-03-2010, 08:18 PM   #21
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by flathead4dr View Post
I have a late flathead in my 34 ford, and in 8 years and 17,000 plus miles I have never had a whimper of a problem with the stock points distributor. Just last week I decided to check the timing and vacuum advance,( there is no centrifugul advance in these) just to be sure......It's all as originally set. This "load a matic distributor works great with dual 94 carbs. Bill

Have you driven a flatty with the sbc conversion dizzy? You should try it before you knock it.
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Old 10-03-2010, 11:38 PM   #22
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

look at bubbas posts and page:
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11050

http://www.lindertech.com/bhrs/flath..._elec_conv.htm

i'm going to send mine over.
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Old 10-04-2010, 06:12 AM   #23
345 DeSoto
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

I've been running a 6V Pertronix unit in my 55 DeSoto with a generator, for five years or so. No problems at all...
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Old 10-04-2010, 07:02 AM   #24
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Default Re: Electronic Distributor ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Nelson View Post
If you are going to use an electronic ignition, be sure to use an alternator and not a generator.
I have run my Pertronix for 13000 miles with a generator with no problems.
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