The Ford Barn

1962300 · 08-31-2014, 07:21 PM

I have the stock dual point crab cap distributor to work on my mildly hopped up 59A block. I have a pair of 97 Stromberg's.

Who likes to stay stock points?
Who likes to convert to electronic?

I want to stay as late 40's traditional looking as possible as the motor lives in my no-hood '32 Ford Roadster.

Just looking for advice as I am sure there are Pro's and Con's to either method.

Thanks!

flatjack9 · 08-31-2014, 08:08 PM

Points.

Ralph Moore · 08-31-2014, 08:47 PM

X2 for points!

zzlegend · 08-31-2014, 09:22 PM

X3 for points

4dFord/SC · 08-31-2014, 09:23 PM

Points will get you home.

DD931 · 08-31-2014, 09:24 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The Ford dual points distributor is incredibly well suited for its purpose. When properly set up they are bullet-proof. It ain't broke!! Don't try to fix it!! Leave it alone!! Points!!

ford38v8 · 08-31-2014, 11:03 PM

Points

roadster36 · 08-31-2014, 11:12 PM

Points- have the Bubba-Nator do it.

Kahuna · 09-01-2014, 12:05 AM

Pertronix- the only way to go

scooder · 09-01-2014, 01:38 AM

Points, allways points. Never been stranded with a points set up. Your ignition already has q spare set inside. You'll get home on one set.
With electronic it's normally recommend to keep the original points stuff in your car, to get you Home if the electronic stuff goes pop.
which is more reliable, you make up your mind from the above.
Martin.

BillM · 09-01-2014, 01:46 AM

For me, this is a pointless discussion: http://myplace.frontier.com/~wgmumaw...rsionBills.htm

Mart · 09-01-2014, 03:13 AM

I retain the points but use an inexpensive "ignition amplifier", a first generation electronic type module that allows me to do away with the condenser.

Mart.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 09-01-2014, 10:27 AM

From someone who does tons of both ...........................points!!!!

JM 35 Sedan · 09-01-2014, 12:10 PM

The early Ford V8 dual point distributors will give many miles of trouble free service if built with good quality components, setup properly and timed correctly. I have about 10,000 miles now on my stock '35 helmet distributor since its last rebuild. Still running strong after a recent 1,947 mile round trip from Maryland to Springfield IL and back. I don't feel the need to have an electronic distributor on my old Fords.

Frank Miller · 09-01-2014, 01:00 PM

Thinking of going electronic since I had a brand new condenser fail after less than a thousand miles. Miraculously got me home. As points_wear timing and dwell change. Not going to argue with the points guys as à few years ago I completely agreed with them. I think there are a lot of junk condensers out there changing my opinion.

AnthonyG · 09-01-2014, 01:39 PM

I know the stock point set up is popular here on FB. I have an EI in my '35 Ford but also in my my '67 442 and pretty much every toy I worked on since about 1975 when I started earning enough to afford the techy add-ons and started converting anything I had to EI's. I like them and for me have been very reliable with almost no maintenance if set up and installed properly.

PeterC · 09-01-2014, 03:18 PM

Well... I dont think there is right or wrong ... just preference .. 6V Pertronix ran flawlessly in my 59ab (39 Ford Coupe) for 15 plus years and still going strong for the new owner. My fresh built 59ab 35 Coupe now runs a 12V Pertronix so hopefully will get the same result. Reference comments on carrying spare points and getting home on remaining single points ... I do carry a spare Pertronix Module and coil in my road kit along with a fuel pump, belts, plugs etc.

TomT/Williamsburg · 09-01-2014, 06:36 PM

Pertronix but save your points distributor as a spare in the trunk for a " just in case scenario. Done with my avatar and my 8bs styled 40 coupe. Done so for years and it has served me well ... never really had to use my spare points distributor but once and that was my own mistake ...

Ol' Ron · 09-01-2014, 06:38 PM

It's interesting to see the lengths people will go through to convert their distributors to electronic, when the answer to a properly tuned engine id WHEN, not HOW MUCH spark you have. Having too much spark can cause rotor and cap failure. Plus some ignition systems don't even have a Vacuum adv/retard in their system. Considering the car runs in cruise 90% of the time I find that to be poor economics.

hawkeye 326 · 10-20-2014, 03:15 PM

I have a duel point on my 47 ford im having problem with juice from the coil to the distributor with a test light there is juice coming out of the coil but when I hook the wire from the distributor it spark a little and the test light goes out remove the wire the light comes back on where do I look now when juice goes to the coil it runs

08-31-2014, 07:21 PM	#1
1962300 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 181	59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? I have the stock dual point crab cap distributor to work on my mildly hopped up 59A block. I have a pair of 97 Stromberg's. Who likes to stay stock points? Who likes to convert to electronic? I want to stay as late 40's traditional looking as possible as the motor lives in my no-hood '32 Ford Roadster. Just looking for advice as I am sure there are Pro's and Con's to either method. Thanks!

08-31-2014, 08:08 PM	#2
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Points.

08-31-2014, 08:47 PM	#3
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? X2 for points!

08-31-2014, 09:22 PM	#4
zzlegend Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Reseda, Calif. Posts: 2,188	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? X3 for points

08-31-2014, 09:23 PM	#5
4dFord/SC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,579	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Points will get you home.

08-31-2014, 09:24 PM	#6
DD931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA Poconos Posts: 723	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The Ford dual points distributor is incredibly well suited for its purpose. When properly set up they are bullet-proof. It ain't broke!! Don't try to fix it!! Leave it alone!! Points!!

08-31-2014, 11:03 PM	#7
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,635	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Points __________________ Alan

08-31-2014, 11:12 PM	#8
roadster36 BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sonoma,Calif. Posts: 877	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Points- have the Bubba-Nator do it.

09-01-2014, 12:05 AM	#9
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Pertronix- the only way to go

09-01-2014, 01:38 AM	#10
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Points, allways points. Never been stranded with a points set up. Your ignition already has q spare set inside. You'll get home on one set. With electronic it's normally recommend to keep the original points stuff in your car, to get you Home if the electronic stuff goes pop. which is more reliable, you make up your mind from the above. Martin.

09-01-2014, 01:46 AM	#11
BillM Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 504	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? For me, this is a pointless discussion: http://myplace.frontier.com/~wgmumaw...rsionBills.htm __________________ My web page: http://myplace.frontier.com/~wgmumaw/

09-01-2014, 03:13 AM	#12
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,745	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? I retain the points but use an inexpensive "ignition amplifier", a first generation electronic type module that allows me to do away with the condenser. Mart.

09-01-2014, 10:27 AM	#13
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? From someone who does tons of both ...........................points!!!! __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

09-01-2014, 12:10 PM	#14
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? The early Ford V8 dual point distributors will give many miles of trouble free service if built with good quality components, setup properly and timed correctly. I have about 10,000 miles now on my stock '35 helmet distributor since its last rebuild. Still running strong after a recent 1,947 mile round trip from Maryland to Springfield IL and back. I don't feel the need to have an electronic distributor on my old Fords. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

09-01-2014, 01:00 PM	#15
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Thinking of going electronic since I had a brand new condenser fail after less than a thousand miles. Miraculously got me home. As points_wear timing and dwell change. Not going to argue with the points guys as à few years ago I completely agreed with them. I think there are a lot of junk condensers out there changing my opinion. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

09-01-2014, 01:39 PM	#16
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,165	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? I know the stock point set up is popular here on FB. I have an EI in my '35 Ford but also in my my '67 442 and pretty much every toy I worked on since about 1975 when I started earning enough to afford the techy add-ons and started converting anything I had to EI's. I like them and for me have been very reliable with almost no maintenance if set up and installed properly. __________________ Nomad

09-01-2014, 03:18 PM	#17
PeterC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 855	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Well... I dont think there is right or wrong ... just preference .. 6V Pertronix ran flawlessly in my 59ab (39 Ford Coupe) for 15 plus years and still going strong for the new owner. My fresh built 59ab 35 Coupe now runs a 12V Pertronix so hopefully will get the same result. Reference comments on carrying spare points and getting home on remaining single points ... I do carry a spare Pertronix Module and coil in my road kit along with a fuel pump, belts, plugs etc.

09-01-2014, 06:36 PM	#18
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,654	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? Pertronix but save your points distributor as a spare in the trunk for a " just in case scenario. Done with my avatar and my 8bs styled 40 coupe. Done so for years and it has served me well ... never really had to use my spare points distributor but once and that was my own mistake ...

09-01-2014, 06:38 PM	#19
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? It's interesting to see the lengths people will go through to convert their distributors to electronic, when the answer to a properly tuned engine id WHEN, not HOW MUCH spark you have. Having too much spark can cause rotor and cap failure. Plus some ignition systems don't even have a Vacuum adv/retard in their system. Considering the car runs in cruise 90% of the time I find that to be poor economics.

10-20-2014, 03:15 PM	#20
hawkeye 326 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Andover Ny Posts: 3	Re: 59A Distributor; Points or Electronic? I have a duel point on my 47 ford im having problem with juice from the coil to the distributor with a test light there is juice coming out of the coil but when I hook the wire from the distributor it spark a little and the test light goes out remove the wire the light comes back on where do I look now when juice goes to the coil it runs