just wanted to share something with you. I had tried several different ignition systems on my 302 Ford in my 1939 Ford deluxe coupe. I tried the Duraspark2 distributor with a procomp (MSD fake) box and vacuum advance. Had a stumble off idle no matter where I set the timing or carb. fooled with the advance weights and vacuum canister setting to no avail. I then bought ($100.00) a procomp electronic distributor. It is similar(can you say copy?) of the MSD unit. It has an internal computer that allows I think 7 different advance curves by using 3 switches in different positions. Very neat to play with the various curves. I checked the advance of the curves with a timing lite and it did advance the timing just like each setting was supposed to.The little 302 now has no stumble, idles smooth, and starts right off. I know Procomp is a bad word, but for a guy on social security and never even knows what 401 k means, it does the job.
FYI, I have a ProComp HEI on my 302. It works well, but after not too many hours of run time, it ****ped out on me and left me stranded. It was a simple fix though. I just needed to replace the internal coil with off the shelf parts at the part store. I replaced the rotor too while I was at it, just in case. Easy change on the side of the road (once I got the part), but a PITA to have to do it at all. You might want to keep spare parts in the car.
I run Mallory unilite no need for externals. Never have a problem and have been running them since no one new what they were. But glad you got it worked out.
I'm on Social Security too. Sometimes worry how long even that'll be 'safe'... I try to be prepared for unseen catastrophes, like flat tires when least expecting, or...Ignition failures. My '55 F100 has a 350 Chev, 2nd generation, swirl port heads, Comp cam, Edelbrock intake, Holley 600 double pumper. I have a Mallory Y-L dual point distributor, heavy Mallory points with Bosch condenser. Coil is a large Accel, (yellow type) with external ballast resistor. Majority of critics suggest Petronics, MSD, HEI or other electronic 'dead ends' for ignition. The only 'Petronics' parts I use are the centrifugal advance springs. Just a preference... But there's always a 'bottom line'. Mine's the reliability factor. Hate excessive cranking, so I avoid it. I just punch the starter, it fires in one second. Always. (blows people's minds, just: "D..Whoom!") Never has left me stranded, and I've made more service calls for folks to replace electronic modules, internal coils, burned rotors/caps than I care to remember. It's been my shop truck since 1972, still no problems...
Mike I keep a points distributer around in case of an EMP. I want to be able to drive through the anarchy. I have had HEIs let me down and even a petronix (lost a flying magnet), I have a Mallory on the shelf that I will probably run that lost a lower bushing, its pretty old like one of the first ones old. I used to carry a spare module because I bought one that had been shorted and found out after installation. I think I gave it to someone, depending on the car they are pretty easy to swap out. I have noting against points I just run what I run. MSD boxes are pretty solid as a rule, I don't know about knockoffs. That said I saw two let loose this year at MOKAN and I changed one in a brand new stick car back in the '80s. I think the ones at MOKAN were because of the monsoon rain we got or maybe the electrical storm that came with it.
I think i will carry a stock Ford single point distributor in the trunk just in case. I notice the nascar guys run an emergency backup MSD box in case the MSD box fails.And they do pretty regular.
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