Distributor for 351/4
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=5159
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 3:20PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Distributor for 351/4
Posted By: Classicfitness
Subject: Distributor for 351/4
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 10:48AM
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Hi all,
My engine (Clevekand 4v) is now rebuilt and ready to roll. The only problem is the big blue HEI distributor I bought on ebay. Indeed, it is not fitting the engine. Does someone have a link to a good electronic distributor online that would work well?
Also, what would be the best to put on that engine?
Thanks,
Daniel ------------- '72 GTS 351-4b Gold Glow '75 Elite 400 Polar White  My car blog: www.fordtorino72.blogspot.com |
Replies:
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 10:56AM
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Why not just run an OEM Duraspark setup? ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Classicfitness
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 11:04AM
What is a OEM Duraspark setup? Is it electronic or more like the original 70's system? Sorry for my ignorance as I do not know much about distributor. I heard the new stuff was more reliable than the old way. ------------- '72 GTS 351-4b Gold Glow '75 Elite 400 Polar White My car blog: www.fordtorino72.blogspot.com |
Psquare75 wrote:Posted By: ilyes
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 11:19AM
| my dizzy would fit on the engine as well, it was stuck on the oil pump drive, i had to fit the drive inside the dizzy, then on the oil pump to make it fit |
Posted By: ramair351
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 1:09PM
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dont put an HEI on that 72. much better looking for a restoration to get an original points distributor and put a pertronix ignition in it. they run great, and no need to run a new 12v power wire ------------- -Pete 1972 montego GT 1970 Torino cobra SCJ 1970 mustang mach 1 1965 Falcon futura |
Posted By: Classicfitness
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 1:18PM
Can you explain me what to buy and how to install? ------------- '72 GTS 351-4b Gold Glow '75 Elite 400 Polar White My car blog: www.fordtorino72.blogspot.com |
Posted By: 73 GT Sport 429
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 1:46PM
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The Pertrix Ignitor mounts in place of your points (in your original distibutor) and is super easy to install. Easy 2 wire hook up. I have had no problem with mine since I bought it in 1992. I think they are made in the US. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pertronix-Ignitor-1281-FORD-1957-74-V-8-FREE-SHIP-/200508010181?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eaf356ec5 - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pertronix-Ignitor-1281-FORD-1957-74-V-8-FREE-SHIP-/200508010181?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eaf356ec5 ------------- Mark original owner-93 Lightning 73 Gran Torino Sport 429 (prodigal son) |
Posted By: ramair351
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 1:47PM
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do you not have the original distributor for the car? if so and the shaft and gear is in good shape, use this pertronix kit to turn into electronic. I have used one for years, they work great.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Garage-Sale-Pertronix-Ignitor-Kit-1957-74-Ford-V8,47428.html - http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Garage-Sale-Pertronix-Ignitor-Kit-1957-74-Ford-V8,47428.html
if you dont have your original distributor, or it was junk, buy a replacement points type from napa or some other parts store, rip out the points setup and install the pertronix. either way it makes for a clean looking restoration and you car will start and run great. AND you wont have a chevelle distributor staring you in the face everytime you open the hood. ------------- -Pete 1972 montego GT 1970 Torino cobra SCJ 1970 mustang mach 1 1965 Falcon futura |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 3:43PM
Word.
 |
Posted By: picon3
Date Posted: 07-March-2011 at 3:46PM
This is what I did and haven't had any problems. Paul~ ------------- 1972 GTS 351CJ-4V black/black |
Posted By: HbMarine
Date Posted: 08-March-2011 at 7:16PM
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since i have actually done this and it works. im not sure about your clearance issues ill just come out and say mine insted of criticizing you. i got the proform hei off summit, been running strong for over a year, and yes the cap is gigantic. first the striaght up therm house/ water neck was switched out to a bb 460 90 degree one. just cut the last bend off the hose shove it back on no prob. next the stock plug wires dont work, just get chevy SBC ones (took a break to dodge flying tomatoes). i got blue ones so it looks cool. next get the plastic spacer rings for the air cleaner (i have the edelbrock clear with a K/n. last go get the hei connectors for the tach and power (they are different, ask me how i know) so dont order 2 power wire ones. thier like 5 bucks a piece on summit, just get them its eaiser. after that your off to the races quite literally. i did notice a change in throtle response but that might be just because i replaced the plugs along with the wires and dizzy. any more questions PM me. ------------- 72 gt 400m auto 10.2 @ 70mph in 1/8th "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. - George Orwell" |
Posted By: interceptor460
Date Posted: 08-March-2011 at 10:38PM
| Hello are you running a stock setup. Get petronics electronic conversion kit .Ford use to put those in point distributors in the 60's to early 70's. It is a proven product for a stock engine. The last one I saw was in my 68 t-bird 429 , never a problem. Fits in place of the points. Look into net for more info or email me. |
Posted By: Torinogts73c
Date Posted: 09-March-2011 at 2:50AM
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Yeah i had a Mallory HEI and had to modify the hose so it would clear and raise the air cleaner. Then when I looked at it after I was done, I said looks like a Chebby and that don't happen in my house! So I bought another Mallory Unilite off Ebay changed to the new style cap and it looks and works much better than the Monster cap Chebby junk!! ------------- Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,18 Lincoln MKZ Reserve, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford |
Posted By: crispy23c
Date Posted: 09-March-2011 at 6:05AM
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I did the pertronix and it works GREAT! One thing - there is a little known tech bulletin that the magnetic ring gap could cause a minor shift in the timing. When I did mine, my timing was off. Once I got it started, I adjusted accordingly. The whole setup takes about 15 mins- 1/2 hour depending on how fast you are! Car starts/accelerates GREAT now, and NO POINTS! ~Chris ------------- |
Posted By: 73 GT Sport 429
Date Posted: 09-March-2011 at 1:56PM
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Also Daniel, if your looking for a high perfomance Ignitor they also make the Ignitor II http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor2/default.aspx - Ignitor II and the Ignitor III with multispark (like MSD) and an adjustable rev limiter. http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor3/default.aspx - Ignitor III ------------- Mark original owner-93 Lightning 73 Gran Torino Sport 429 (prodigal son) |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 09-March-2011 at 2:09PM
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look at Mallory E-spark
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-61002M/ - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-61002M/
i think Accel markets the same product molded in Yellow
http://www.summitracing.com/search/Brand/ACCEL/Product-Line/ACCEL-Points-Eliminator-Conversion-Kits/Make/FORD/?Ns=Rank%7cAsc&autoview=SKU - http://www.summitracing.com/search/Brand/ACCEL/Product-Line/ACCEL-Points-Eliminator-Conversion-Kits/Make/FORD/?Ns=Rank%7cAsc&autoview=SKU
there are/were also many other quality brands like Borg/Warner, Standard Ignition that have similar point conversion products
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Posted By: Classicfitness
Date Posted: 13-March-2011 at 1:22AM
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Thanks everyone for all the details. The original distributor has been destroyed by the machine shop when the engine was rebuilt. Indeed, apparently it was stuck real bad in there. For the new system, I am planning to go with pertronix. It seems to be the best option. I was just wondering if there is any kit available? I understand that many suggest to do conversion from an original distributor, but is it possible to buy a "ready to run" pertronix kit including distributor and coil and conversion kit? ------------- '72 GTS 351-4b Gold Glow '75 Elite 400 Polar White My car blog: www.fordtorino72.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 13-March-2011 at 3:16AM
| Get a 460 electronic distibuter ie Ford Duraspark type as big block dizzy is the same as Cleveland and you can buy the durapark box new if you know what pigtails you have on the dizzyNI bought mine from junkyard took to auto parts store and got new cap/rotor and the electronic pick up and had them match up the plugs with the new duraspark electonic box then I was told by a Ford mechanic how to wire it in which was really simple and it has same size cap as points basically but is now electronic and ran it for years that way.Dizzy is still in the motor which is on a dolly in my garage and ignition is all there so if you go that route which is alot cheaper then aftermarket electronic dizzy like Mallory or MSD ignition and works just as good and I ran a Accel Super Coil which burnt up my points within a week and not one issue with using it with the Ford Duraspark Electronic ignition and used 460 electronic dizzy's are cheap and easy to find. |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 13-March-2011 at 3:57AM
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installing the kit is only 2 small screws, buying a ready to run dizzy will cost you an extra $100 or so over converting a stock distributor yourself, and will not have the stock appearing cap if that matters?
looks to me like Pertronix is using a GM points style cap w/o the adjustment window, or the standard HEI bulbous head cap these Summit links rarely work for me but...
http://www.summitracing.com/search/Part-Type/Distributors/Make/FORD/Engine-Size/5-8L-351/Engine-Family/Ford-Cleveland/?keyword=pertronix&RC=25 - http://www.summitracing.com/search/Part-Type/Distributors/Make/FORD/Engine-Size/5-8L-351/Engine-Family/Ford-Cleveland/?keyword=pertronix&RC=25
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Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 14-March-2011 at 4:54AM
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My money is on picking up a duraspark setup, but if you don't understand the hookup for one, the pertronics coversion could be the easier route and simple hookup. Myself I am running a 1977 Duraspark setup, using a wiring harness off a '76 Elite to feed it.
After 12+ years, All I have had to do is a replacement of the cap and rotor, using the original small cap.
And I have no qualms about it either.
Older shot, with a 5.0 dizzy boot on the small cap unit:
 Newer shot from last summer:
 -------------  Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: 73 GT Sport 429
Date Posted: 15-March-2011 at 11:31AM
You can buy a reman dist and in stall a pertronix ignittor http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Distributor-Cardone_5630096-P_218_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_1429689316____#fragment-2 - Reman distributor ------------- Mark original owner-93 Lightning 73 Gran Torino Sport 429 (prodigal son) |
Posted By: stanman
Date Posted: 15-March-2011 at 1:35PM
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You can buy a reman dist and in stall a pertronix ignittor http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Distributor-Cardone_5630096-P_218_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_1429689316____#fragment-2 - Reman distributor Great idea!!!
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Posted By: ramair351
Date Posted: 15-March-2011 at 1:54PM
------------- -Pete 1972 montego GT 1970 Torino cobra SCJ 1970 mustang mach 1 1965 Falcon futura |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 2:15AM
| i Dkd the Ford Duraspark electronic distributer and ignition box conversion back in 1988-89 and it was simple and I was told how to splice in the wiring to my existing harness by a Ford mechanic who had a ProStreet Mustang GT with a 460 and waseither blown or had a tunnel ram with dual quads.[nly mention that cause he was not only a Ford Mechanic but was a total Ford gearhead and every vehicle he owned was Ford including his wifes T-Bird and his Truck besides his toys.My car was originally a 73 base model that I swapped the 74 351C 2v which i changed to 4 barrel Carter AFB with Edelbrock Performer intake and 292 Duration Erson cam,double valve springs,CompCams lifters and pushrods, then put on headers and 2 1/2 exhaust with Thrush Turbo dual mufflers and turndowns under the car.Now I knew very little back then about auto wiring and I did it on my own car with the guy jusg gelling me which wires to splice into for the ignition and didn't have to use any harness from another car and if I did it over 20 years ago rest assure it was very simple A+B=C type stuff as now I know a heck of alot more about auto electrical systems then I knew back then but still I am no Auto Electric mechanic but know enough to do all the repairs needed in thee auto collision industry which included replaceing entire wirin harness and or repairing broken wires which we soldered and heat shrink sleeve the wires(no butt connecters) also have to replace airbags and modules as well as seatbelt systems that went off during collision as the retracters now have cartridges that fire from impact sensors that instantly lock the seatbelts from extending and the receptors even tighten up on some cars as they have Cartridges too that go off and it pulles the belt tighter when the sensor sets it off which after replacing all the components we have to go inwith the scanner and reset the system so the airbag light in the dash goes off and the system is reset for next collision.Back then I knew jack but simple wiring of what are now classic cars. |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 2:24AM
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My only issue with petronix, over Duraspark, is if it dies, you're stuck waiting 3 days for a replacement. Duraspark, keep a few extra pickups and boxes in the garage, and you're good to go. Either solution will work. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 2:33AM
| When I get a chance i will take the distributer out of my Cleveland and install it into my 69 429 engine in my 72 GTS and wire it up with the electronic Ford Duraspark ignition cause I won't run points on my hotrods and just haven't got into the engine phase of building the car.I'm sure Andy could trace the wiring on the harness he installed and tell you where tje electronic box is wired to what circiut cause I wired mine directly into the original 302 harness which had points system and it all worked but Iknow it will have to be wired into the ignition side of the harness or wiring.I still have the dizzy and coil hocked up on the motor and possibly the duraspark box might be attached.I canKt remember but I know I pulled all the ignition stuff off the car so I would have it to install the engine in a different vehicle later,but now since it is a 460 dizzy originally it will also fit in the 429 to eliminate the points. |
Posted By: Regul8r
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 2:50AM
THAT is also the reason to use it on the race car, almost every team has parts if yours goes wrong.
ONLY part that would leave you stranded is the actual distributor base/shaft. ------------- Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME! 1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 3:00AM
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Having given that warning, the gray car has 70K miles on it with an old Mallory Unilite, converted to petronix. I put 6K miles on it last year and had zero issues. YMMV. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 5:17AM
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A duraspark can be hotwired like Jeff is saying, but I elected to use my harness and wire right into the harness. Pretty easy to piggy back it. Anyways, Davis Unified Ignition does Duraspark stuff as well. Myself, as said before, I am running the same Duraspark unit I pulled off my 197 T bird's 400 like 12-14 years ago. ------------- Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: Fordified V8
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 5:42AM
 Mallory Unilite has been treating my old Fords well for years. ------------- 70 MACH I "R" code 72 GTS 351CJ 72 TR6 15 F250 Lariat |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 6:02AM
 ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: 73 GT Sport 429
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 3:52PM
Thats why I put the points I removed in a ziplock in the trunk. I have never needed them in 18 years! Pertronix has been made for over 30 years. I wouldn't instal a HEI because; they are big and ugly the cheap ones are prone to module failure the cheap ones are made in China air cleaner spacer needed in most cases I do like the Ford Duraspark though, and it's reliable too. ------------- Mark original owner-93 Lightning 73 Gran Torino Sport 429 (prodigal son) |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 16-March-2011 at 5:21PM
| Well now with the diagram you can see how easy a duraspark conversion is now finding tje dizzy in Canada might be an issue and shipping across the Border from the states is a PIA |
Posted By: Regul8r
Date Posted: 17-March-2011 at 2:32AM
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Copied the post of the diagram and pinned it in it's own thread on the How-To page ------------- Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME! 1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
Posted By: Torinogts73c
Date Posted: 18-March-2011 at 12:25AM
------------- Gary 73 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ,17 Mustang Ecoboost,18 Lincoln MKZ Reserve, Ford Ranger parts hauler "Never complain Never explain" Henry Ford |
Posted By: interceptor460
Date Posted: 13-April-2011 at 4:39PM
| My brother just installed his petronix ingnition system on his !972 LTD with a 400 cid . It bolted in easy and the car gained in performance . The points was a waste of power and time to adjust every so often. I did not have any problems with points ,but electronic is the way to go. |