electronic ignition upgrade?

Replacing coil improved points life? Coils come in two flavors: those with internal resistance and those that rely on some external resistance such as the resistance wire. I wonder if you were running a coil intended for an external resistor, but didn't have the resistor. Then maybe you replaced with a coil having internal resistance? Just thinking, not challenging your skills.

 

Defective coil - it ran rough before, does not now.

 

I agree electronic delivery with CDI systems are the way to get more spark and really dead on settings.

that said I had no money to do it and a dead jeep last week. 45K original on a 304.

I got an AMC as original rebuilt distributor from the local FLAPS for 40 bucks and a 10 core. Came loaded with points and condensor. Dropped it in after checking TDC a couple times to be sure, fired right up with 29deg dwell and really close to the right timing off the bat.

 

sorry for the delay in getting back. unfortunately, this site crashes my computer about 70% of the time.

on my 258, i replaced the garbage prestolite b-i-d system with a chevy hei unit.

i got the hei distributor from a 1980-sourced chevy with a 250 motor, which had the coil in the cap. i used the distributor drive-gear from the original distributor - it fits fine, but it needs to be modified. there is an extended section on the gear that doesn't have teeth, sort of a "collar". grind most of this off with a bench grinder, and it will fit the hei distributor, using the roll-pin from the original to lock it in place. for plug wires, i used a new set intended for a mid-1980s ford 300 motor, as the ford dizzy was located in about the same place as the amc dizzy on a 258/232 (near the "center", while the chevy 250/290 dizzy is located closer to the end - therefore plug wires are a closer fit. pretty sure i bought 8mm at autozone. run one key-hot power source to the distributor and fire it up.

i'm not sure, but i may have done a write-up on this site way back. i've had this in the cj for at least 4 years, probably 6.

wally

 

I've wanted to try an electronic module triggered by points. Sounds like it would work well but I've never tried it.

Here is one using HEI module

Here is one using a Mopar module

Here is one using a Ford TFI module

As another option you could use an MSD or Mallory ignition box. When using any of these options the points are simply used as a switch and carry very minimal current so they will last a long, long time. I did use a MSD 5 box on a Ford truck with points and it worked very well.

 

I'd expect points would last a long time as a trigger, because they only act as a low-current switch that triggers the module. You could even get rid of the condenser with no effect.

There are some disadvantages to points in this application. The fiber block on the points would still wear, making the timing change and the points would have to be replaced eventually. Plus a mechanical switch is not as accurate or reliable as an electronic trigger, and a MSD-style box can be just as well triggered by an electronic trigger. Here's a diagram for using a MSD-style box with a Jeep Motorcraft VR-trigger distributor (credit to TeamRush/Jeephammer) http://www.civilianjeep.info/Ignition/CDIstandAlone/MSD-79-86Jeep.gif

Here's the thread where this figure is used: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/i-6-teamrush-upgrade-definitive-669495/

Even cheaper, you can use a GM HEI module with the Motorcraft distributor - both the Motorcraft and GM HEI distributors use a VR trigger, and what works for one generally works for the other.

 

the Jeep currently has a delco points set up any one know if the gear off this will fit an hei? I can get a 6 cyl hei for 15-20 bucks from the salvage yard they have a couple on the shelf

 

You should use the V-8(amc) gear on the dist(chevy) because the 6cly gear you need to grind it to fit.

 

I suggest you use the later Motorcraft Duraspark distributor and an external module. You can buy a complete reman distributor for about $50, or you can take one from a later 258 Jeep. This distributor will drop into your engine with no worries about swapping gears.

The Duraspark distributor is the same electronically as the HEI, except that it places the coil and module outside of the distributor. A much better arrangement, IMO. You can even use a GM HEI module (mounted externally) with a Duraspark distributor. A cheap and good setup.

 

which years had the duraspark? I like not changing gears if its avoidable....

 

The 258 from '78 or later uses a Duraspark distributor. Supposedly the '78 and '79 have the best vacuum advance characteristics, but later ones are fine too.

 

thanks that gives me something to start with.....I would love to get the parts from the Junkyard but will check the FLAPS