Ford V8 Discussion Discussion relating to getting the most out of your Ford-based V8 Miata's engine

Best Distributor for Carbs and no ECU

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Old 06-03-2015, 05:57 PM
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Default Best Distributor for Carbs and no ECU

What have you Ford guys found to be the best Distributor for the 302? , in this build engine will be carbed (Webers) and no ECU. The car will have dual duty.
Thank you
Old 06-03-2015, 10:47 PM
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Mallory and MSD seem to be about equal. Same performance, same price, same feature sets, and about the same reliability.

Reliability is where they tend to fall down. Failure rate seems to be about the same, and considerably higher than stock.

With that in mind, the stock Ford Duraspark is just about the best distributer you'll find.
Old 06-04-2015, 04:37 AM
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Thanks Bob, I'll check it out to see if it needs a coil
Old 06-04-2015, 05:12 AM
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I just went through a situation with the MSD "ready to run" distributor for a Ford. Not very old and the electronics inside it went out. MSD warranties it but unless you can exchange it at the store you bought it from you deal with sending it in, and waiting for it to be returned, etc.

I have other MSD dist's that have worked for years though. Maybe the older ones are better?

I put a duraspark on my daughter's 66 mustang 5.0 (with the associated control box) and it just keeps on working and working with no problems...

Mike
Old 06-04-2015, 07:01 AM
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A factory Ford distributor is your best bet. If you like to be broken down on the side of the road, get an MSD.
Old 06-04-2015, 09:24 AM
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I've been very satisfied with my stock distributor, always planned to have it re-curved but likely never will. A stock E-coil (which is a great coil and often under-appreciated) is mounted almost out of sight on the frame rail below the headlight motor. The Summit digital, multi-spark control box is sorta hidden in the windshield wiper arm area. I believe this a cooler location than the normal firewall or fender mount some use.

My only concern with this setup is what if I'm on a road trip and the box fails. This thing is 5 plus years old and salvaged from my 77 CJ5 just prior to selling it. May need to invest in a spare.
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Old 06-04-2015, 02:44 PM
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Great info guys, thanks...I was wondering where to locate the box and keep it out of the heat as much as possible. Am going to put it as far forwards as possible
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