Wow Kalli, I didn't realize what a piece of crap my completely stock '67 Falcon is because it has the stock ignition system. I just got back from a 50 mile drive at 70 mph, and I did not realize that my car was at risk of dying at any moment because I have points in it. The fact that it ran flawlessly and did not miss a beat was a fluke I guess. As a matter of fact, I better thank my lucky stars that my '69 F-100 with a points distributor is still running because I use it as my shop truck and I even tow my car trailer with it. I am going to look into getting rid of the drum brakes on both vehicles, as well as anything that is not electronic on the vehicles including: steering, valvetrain, induction and throttle.

 

Thanks for the input guys. you have given me plenty of info to sort through.

Has anyone installed the new MSD Points replacement unit? how well does it run with the 6AL?

that one has peaked my curiosity

 

Funny, I just posted this earlier on another forum:

The MSD, or any other pricey ignition, would be last on my list. If the car is set up properly, even the stock ignition will be nearly as good, and certainly I have heard enough stories about reliablilty to eliminate that as a reason to get MSD.

My 66 is not a driver, so I have left the C5OF-E point distributor in place. The ignition still performs flawlessly up to the rpm where I have had enough. If it were still a driver, I'd use Pertronix I.

There may be dyno results to prove some small percentage improvement with MSD over otherwise identically-tuned stock ignition, but if you spend a few bucks having your stock distributor dialed in, I doubt the MSD would be enough better to feel the difference. Personally, I'd spend $75 having the stock distributor done, and spend the rest on something else.

I like to point out that Mickey Thompson had a Thunderbolt. Not just any Thunderbolt, oh no, that wouldn't do. He pulled the heads and intake off the 427 dual-quad engine, and replaced them with modified Chrysler Hemi heads, and a unique one of a kind 8V intake. Now, he could have opted for any number of exotic ignitions, such as magnetos. He didn't.



Now, before you consider me a Luddite, I find the electronically tunable Crane interesting, and may well consider it on a future project. I tune distributors on the side, and I have yet to see one that was in spec. Usually, they are WAY off, which just kills performance, even if you have a hot cam and 3" exhaust.

 

That's not what he said at all. The point (no pun intended) is that the stock points system is inferior to electronic spark control in just about every aspect. The only good thing about points is that you can almost always get them to run well enough to limp home, whereas a dead ignition control module is likely going to leave you completely stranded.

On the other hand, transistorized ignition gives you variable dwell, precise spark control, variable timing, rev limiting, reduced maintenance, and generally greater reliability. And consider the relative ease of install (vs a disc brake conversion or fuel injection), it doesn't seem like there's much of a reason not to convert.

 

This was posted in answer to my post:

 

The biggest advantage of MSD is it keeps heavily modified motors from loading up at idle. We run them on large cubic in (572+), high HP motors (1000+) just to keep the plugs from fouling. Most if not all the guys running these motors (in boats) are running MSD. Most also have 2 boxes per motor, simple flip of a switch and they change which box is being used.

 

ive been running a petronix with a MSD 6A for years now without any problems. id run the ford hei but i would have to change the stock air cleaner. i did buy a extra petronix as a back up. the car gets driven every day.

 

Nothing new there, aircraft have used twin mags for generations.

I'm not sure why a heavily modified engine would load up at idle. I have some experience with boat engines, though nothing bigger than 350 Chevy. I was able to cruise twin 350's at 5500 rpm, yet come alongside at 400 rpm. Never fouled a plug. Used Mallory marine distributors on one pair, later used auto HEI's on the others.

 

Long no wake runs at 1500rpm foul up the big motors. I'm not talking the small stock 350s, I'll talking big cubic inch motors that are running 1050 and larger carbs, many are running 2. I never fouled a plug on a stock motor with stock ignition. The Thunderbolt ignition from Merc is actually quite good, the V6 modules on the V8 actually improved the advance curve.

In our Mustangs MSD is overkill and really not needed, but I'm putting one in anyway.