Not super familiar with what's available for the FE. Is there a certain year/model of a production distributor that would prove to be a reliable option for a daily driven hot rod? I don't put nearly as much faith in todays aftermarket world as I used to. I'm not really interested in points type. I want plug and play. No GM HEI conversions either. I want to keep a small cap. I know, I'm picky. Low maintenance is the key here. I'm old, fat and lazy.
I put a pertronix in my stock FE points dist. Don't have a ton of miles on it yet, but it runs great. Duraspark(FORD) is another option. The early version had a small cap
I had great service from points. If going duradpsrk gut the box and install that gm module we don’t talk about here.
I'm running a Davis Unified small cap HEI on my SBC daily. Been really happy with it and the service so far. They make large cap HEI dizzys for FEs. https://performancedistributors.com/product/ford-dui-street-strip-v8-221-289-302-cid/ Each one is made to order, so you gotta wait. But at least it isn't some Chinesium trash. You might give them a call to see if they can work up a small cap HEI for your FE.
Wasn't aware Gm module was verbotton! Roothawg, can't say regards Ford specifically, but have a suggestion. Message me if interested. Ben
I use the Duraspark with a Chrysler box, or a Standard Products LX101. Easy 4 wire hook up and available everywhere. Summit sells a harness for it too. Duraspark was used in the last few years of the FE run.
Some truck FEs got Duraspark in '74, they all did in '75-76. These were the 'large cap' versions but after removing the adaptor will accept the earlier small cap/rotor (although it appears that not all got the large cap). New ones are under $80 at RockAuto. More Information for CARDONE 842897 The downside is these need to be recurved for performance use. Here's a how-to... Duraspark_distributor_recurve_instructions_index I'm using a MSD 7AL box rather than the Ford box. More $$$ than some other options, but better starting/idle quality, can use a Ford yellow top coil and fairly easy connection for a shift light (I'm not running a tach). I'm integrating the shift light into the instrument cluster for a stealth install.
You can HEI convert without the hideous giant cap using a Duraspark distributor. Popular in newer truck and other circles. Just use a coil compatible with the HEI module. Alternately you could run a complete Duraspark setup. Google "Ford HEI module conversion" and you will get lots of threads on the conversion.
I have and O/T 70 F100 with a 360. The stock distributor has given me ZERO troubles in the 15 years I've owned it, even with points. I did disconnect the vacuum retard side. The curve in the advance is surprisingly good. If you had to have electronic, I'd use a Pertronix in that one. Devin
Used a Duraspark for 20 years in my 65 Galaxie, 75 rockauto dist, blaster 2 and a msd6a, no problems EVER. Using a Pertronix conversion in my OT 2.0 ford SOHC ( pinto) , Mallory dual point,been in there for 12 years. Cheaper and simple. 55 f100 is getting a Pertronix conversion in a stock dist.
I’ve had outstanding success with Pertronix. That would be my go to. Brillman Company has them and the correct coils as far as ohms are concerned. That being said, I would also use a Duraspark Distributor with an MSD 6A or 6AL if you prefer.