electronic ignition?

[99ss]

Is all I have to do is buy a new distributor to have electronic ignition?
The distributor on this 440 moves quite a bit while the engine is turning over, I think its worn out and needs to be replaced. Whats the easiest way to do this? MSD or is there a factory option that is cheaper, used part somewhere? I want to make this 440 run for a while. I am going to restore the body and interior before putting an engine in it. The current 440 seemed to run decent but I cant get it restarted.

background... car has a one gallon gas tank under the hood with an electronic fuel pump taped to it. The guy couldnt get it started and decided the gas was old and lines maybe clogged so he rigged this up to make it run.
It ran and we drove it off the trailer but I cant get it restarted and am doing the investigation now. I have a mechanical fuel pump coming for starters. I bought a cap and rotor and tried to buy points and condenser but of course they didn't have them and need to order them. BUT someone suggested just going electronic instead.....

advice?
thank you

 

[Slantsixdan]

You'll need a new distributor, yes. Which other parts you'll need (and how much money you spend on them) will depend on which of the many options you pick. I've got my preferences; so does everyone else. See HEI upgrade info.

 

[rumblefish360]

Going to a modern electronic system is IMO, a very good idea. If you just get a simple Mopar Performance kit which has all the parts minus contectors that you can get from Radio Shack, it would help the car/engine.

Dan's idea is a good one as well.

 

[Slantsixdan]

The reasons I avoid the Mopar Performance kit are (1) the ECU/orange box they come with is Chinese junk…poor performance and reliability, and (2) the advance curve in the distributor is race-only; it dumps all the mechanical advance in just off idle. Not much good on the street; you wind up having to retard the base timing so far to avoid pinging under normal acceleration that starting, driveability, and economy all suffer.

 

[99ss]

Went with the msd ready to run unit. ( ordered it, I can return it if its not a good idea? # 8387)

It was expensive but uncomplicated and I figure it will be all I need for the new build. I've decided to stay old school on the 440 rebuild, the 6.1 and 6.4 stuff is too expensive right now for me to be able to do it the way I want to. The old school 440 will be cool. Maybe we'll punch it out a bit, maybe not. I don't need a million HP with this build, looking for more of a classic style to the car.
Although I thought about twin turbos,1500 hp and a pro touring car

 

[Slantsixdan]

Can't say I recommend MSD. The reliability of their stuff has never been super great, and now that their stuff is made in China it has taken a turn for the worse.

 

[MarPar]

What then would you suggest, Dan? aside from HEI

 

[99ss]

Well the mallory said to use the MSD part number and the other stuff was $400+
what other hei run ready dist is there?

 

[Slantsixdan]

I'm not sure why I'd recommend something aside from HEI. Very good performance, durability, and dependability; very low cost, very easy parts availability at any parts store in the world, very compact module that can be tucked under the distributor out of sight…help me out here, where's the drawback?

 

[MarPar]

No drawback, i would like to stick to somethin' from ma mopar is all. Yes, im one of THOSE guys. lol

 

[Slantsixdan]

*shrug* Your choice. The GM HEI system is better in absolutely every way.

 

[99ss]

The only Davis stuff was more money but only 1 hot wire so I dont know. Its $370 vs $410, the MSD piece is a 3 wire so ?? Should I just go with the Davis?

 

[MarPar]

*shrug* Your choice. The GM HEI system is better in absolutely every way.

Oh, ok. thanks Dan.

 

[Meep-Meep]

The reasons I avoid the Mopar Performance kit are (1) the ECU/orange box they come with is Chinese junk…poor performance and reliability, and (2) the advance curve in the distributor is race-only; it dumps all the mechanical advance in just off idle. Not much good on the street; you wind up having to retard the base timing so far to avoid pinging under normal acceleration that starting, driveability, and economy all suffer.

Not my experience at all. I have the run of the mill orange box setup on my fresh 440 that came with that engine and it hasn't missed a beat up to 6000 RPM - and I'm running the dirty little black coil that was on the 100K mile 383 that I took out!! The timing curve is right on the money and is all in by 2200 or so.

I'm also a big fan of the MSD box and have run one in the past with the factory Chrysler dizzy without problems. I have no experience with the new MSD dizzy's and for the price I probably never will. Not that I think they are terrible, but a good tight OEM unit seems to do the job just fine. Mar, get your mind out of the gutter!!

I'll agree the GM HEI is a good system and I actually had a case where someone scabbed a module onto the outside of the Chrysler dizzy. It seemed to get the car down the road fine but have no idea if the Chrysler mag pick up has the correct impedance for the HEI. It didn't seem to care though. I thought it was clever and bears investigating - and better mounting method - but to open the hood and see GM parts on a MoPar is just an eye sore. Oh well, I have always said good parts is where you find them.

 

[rumblefish360]

The reasons I avoid the Mopar Performance kit are (1) the ECU/orange box they come with is Chinese junk…poor performance and reliability, and (2) the advance curve in the distributor is race-only; it dumps all the mechanical advance in just off idle. Not much good on the street; you wind up having to retard the base timing so far to avoid pinging under normal acceleration that starting, driveability, and economy all suffer.

(1) I've only had 1 orange box fail. And it was a OOTB unit. I like the Chrome box better myself. It suites my applications better. Feels better OOTB vs. theOrange box.

The "Standard" box is a excellent replacement.

(2) I never mentioned the MP distributor, just a recurving. The OEM unit, if still tight after years of service, is fine.

 

[godfatherofchry]

I have had 3 orange boxes fale me I have always run the chrome box on the street with no trouble.and I always run a spare next to it over the years of going to junk yards I get all the ones I see that look good..I see what Dan is saying and I agree but its that GM thing :thefinger: I don't like lol.......

 

[MarPar]

Mar, get your mind out of the gutter!!

For once, it wasn't!!! :icon_geek: what i say???

 

[Cranky]

I thought the Mopar Performance dizzy had an adjustable advance accessible through the vacuum diaphragm with an Allen wrench?

 

[Meep-Meep]

For once, it wasn't!!! :icon_geek: what i say???

Naw, you didn't say nothin'. It was my wording that I thought you'd pick up on. After all you have a reputation to uphold!! Hahaha!!

 

[Meep-Meep]

I thought the Mopar Performance dizzy had an adjustable advance accessible through the vacuum diaphragm with an Allen wrench?

Hmmmm, never checked. I know Crane used to sell an adjustable unit years ago but it might have been for GM applications only. I know; you're surprised! If I remember I'll check mine tomorrow and let you know.