I have a 66 Fastback, which after a rebuild project on the engine revealed that the "original" engine was not in fact the original 289. However, the block is stamped that it is a 69 302, which after the shock of not having the original engine, wasn't such a bad thing.
Anyway, I'm almost to the point in the rebuild to think about the distributor. I saw in a Mustang Monthly that there is a place in California that will completely rebuild the factory dist. so it will work somewhat better than the original. I plan to keep the MSD Ignitor in it, so it will end up electronic anyway... the alternative is to purchase another type, like a Mallory or something along those lines. I'm sure that there are people with experience on both sides, hopefully I can get some feedback on either choice. Anybody have any opinions?
Thanks,
D

 

The only reason I can think of to overhaul your old distributor is if you are going concours with the restoration. But, with the MSD box in the engine bay, I guess you are not, so having the old distributor restored makes no sense. I would just get an MSD distributor.
Check it out. http://www.msdignition.com/dist_15.htm

 

I am not sure what you mean by the box in my engine bay, all I have is the ignition module that replaces the points - the only thing that appears non concours is the extra wire coming out of it. However, I'm not that stressed about keeping anything concours, just wondered if anyone had done the original rebuild thing.
I'm assuming you have one of these MSD distributors in your car? You must like it. I looked, very pricey but looks like it is a performer!
thanks!

 

Oh, sorry. I thought all MSD ignition systems had boxes. I guess not. No, I have the pertronix ignition module. Sorry I don't know about the rebuilt distributor. It's probably pretty expensive though.

 

The link Soaring posted is for the ready-to-run, i.e. you don't need an external ignition box, everything is built in to the distributor. It goes for about $360. If you don't mind using offshore knockoffs, you can get a Procomp ready to run off of ebay through Mustangsunlimited for $125. That's not a bad option if your stock rebuild is very expensive.

 

I'd use a Mallory or Accell just make sure you have an adjustable vacum advance.

 

I like the sound of the adjustments... I'll do some research in that direction. How often do you adjust it or do you just adjust it to where you want it and leave it? Is this for altitude?

 

Ive had good luck with the mallory unitlite. Mine has the mechanical advance but they also come with the vaccum advance the mikethebike favors.Easy install (a 3 wire connection). -word

[IMG]local://upfiles/26569/D9C209DF104D43C4856C1D3CADABAC05.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/26569/384A228A3C684897AADF828C5AA880D5.jpg[/IMG]

 

I'll look closer at that one, thanks for the pics. This forum is awesome!

 

This is from another thread on this forum discussing pretty much the same issue. Look at the responses here as well:

https://mustangforums.com/m_3025733/tm.htm