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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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I'm looking to upgrade my stock, 1957 Thunderbird tach-drive distributor. I'm considering Pertronix l or ll/w with Pertronix external RPM limiter, Duraspark conversion, CRT distributor/w external RPM limiter, or FBO rebuild/conversion, the latter being the most expensive. The FBO and CRT have upper and lower shaft bushings. Is the additional bushing overkill? Pertronix conversions seem to be the most common and least expensive. What are your recommendations? Ted has already said that he prefers an electronic conversion. My brother had an MSD distributor and External box on his I/O 351W, but the MSD components were expensive and not particularly reliable. Maybe they're better suited to cars, not ski boats.
Thanks
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By Dobie - 4 Years Ago
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I use a Pertronix II in my stockish '55 Merc. Been in there for about 10 years with no issues.
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By DryLakesRacer - 4 Years Ago
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7 yrs ago I put in Pertronix II Unit with their coil. I also continued to use my stock ballast resistor.(optional-my choice) It has been perfect and I check but have not changed spark plugs.
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By Talkwrench - 4 Years Ago
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I went the Petronix ignitor 3 wont cost that much more and its multi spark through entire rev range and has a rev limiter. Dont put it in a crappy distributor and expect it to work, you must use matching coil.
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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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Pre-59 distributors use ball bearing breaker plate and straight vacuum advance arm, not compatible with Pertronix lll, but anything can be made to work.
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By charliemccraney - 4 Years Ago
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Considering that a '57 distributor is over 60 years old, you definitely want new or rebuilt, so that makes it CRT or FBO.
Duraspark based is reliable and replacement parts can still be found easily but it requires an external box. Pertronix can also be found easily and does not need an external box. You will probably get better performance with an external box but it may not be worth the cost. From what I understand, the stock replacement boxes for Duraspark are junk, so you would want something aftermarket.
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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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The distributor has few parts, and it has had very little use in 50 years. Pertronix has an external rev limiter that can be used with the Pertronix l or ll. If it goes out, the distributor will still function without rev limiter. I'm no expert, but a good builder probably can take care of it. The FBO work looks first-rate, expensive, and might not be necessary. I'm also reluctant to ship an FEJ 57 Tbird tach-drive distributor; I might never see it again.I guess I just answered my question, but thanks.
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By Daniel Jessup - 4 Years Ago
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do not leave out the ACCEL 2020 unit. I am not sure why, but most guys who run Y blocks hardly know that it even exists. The pointless ignition kit is for all Ford Distributors from 57-74. I have more about this on my website here: https://www.hotrodreverend.com/post/2018/08/19/1955-ford-part-59-1956-ford-four-door-victoria
I have never had one issue after having installed this kit in quite a few Y block distributors...
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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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Thank you.
That's a good looking car, even if it does have four doors.
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By GREENBIRD56 - 4 Years Ago
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I think that Rob (Talkwrench) over in Perth has the quickest, straight forward solution if you are not prone to tinker - use the Petronix type III and a good high temp coil. Has all the features you'll want and will make very hot sparks.
I'm a tinkerer and used a re-curved '59 distributor, Duraspark trigger, divorced 4 pin HEI controller, GM E-core coil and an adjustable vacuum pot. May sound like a pain but I know it inside out and can fix it any time and anywhere.
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By ErnieL - 4 Years Ago
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Daniel Jessup (8/31/2020)
I certainly love Ford Four Door hardtops! To me they’re the coolest of all 55-56 Fords. My Meteor certainly gets the looks down here in Texas!
How does that Accel kit compare to the Pertronix ll? I went and did the Blue Thunder/Summit 600/57-64 remain distributor with Pertronix ll and have yet to get it out, it’s been pouring rain for a week now.
I was concerned I had the firing order swapped correctly onto the new cap so instead of actually checking it, we laid hands on it, said a prayer, and cranked it! Sweet success! Sounds healthy out the back end, too.
This weekend should tell us all we need to know v
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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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I could shelve my 57 distributor, buy a new 59-up replacement distributor, and use an electric tach, but I've read a comparison of four different electric tachs, and they were no more accurate than the mechanical tach. Being that my car is an automatic, maybe I don't need a tach, but it's there, so I want it to work. Again, the consensus is a Pertronix lll will not fit a pre-59 distributor, but Pertronix l and ll will.
If you have a 57 Tbird tach-drive distributor in which you were able to drop in a Pertronix lll, without modifying/replacing the breaker plate, let us know.
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