getting rid of the ford dura spark, hard to get parts and, even tho I was a fan since changed my support. is ther any issues installing pertronix in my ford dist. thanks for any tips

Easy peasy, just follow the instructions. You may find it easier to do with the dizzy on the bench.

Dura Spark in a Y-block?  If so, then your distributdor should be the latest y-block distributor with the triangular cast neck that was converted from points/condenser to duraspark some time in the past.   You would thereforee haveto go back to points cam and pivot plate in order to accept the magnet wheel and pickup assemble of a Pertronix. Unless Pertronix now makes a conversion for a Duraspark distributor.  Or, find a good Y-block distributor.  If it's just the Duraspark box that's an issue, simply replace that with an MSD 6A box. The Duraspark will pulse an MSD box nicely by just a simple wireing change.  The MSD box comes with full instructions on how to do this exact thing.  This may save some time and possibly money.   

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

thanks, have the parts to put the points cam back in the distributor,as you indicate the ring sits over the point cam

A Pertronix conversion is one of the easiest and most cost effective upgrades you can do to a Y-Block. My 55 Tbird had it's original Load--A-Matic distributor when I bought it. It ran like crap.   I found a 1957 Ford 272 distributor in good condition and swapped out the points and condenser for the Pertrontix unit.  If you buy the right Pertronix coil, you can ditch the resistor too.  Coupled with a modern carburetor, the distributor and carb swap transformed my motor. I never adjust the points and it runs great.  Just so you know, most of the auto store points and confessors you buy today are Chinese Junk. If there are any Chinese on this forum, I apologize. Perhaps they are making them on Mars for all I know?  Where ever they come from,  they are pure garbage.

You might consider what I did. Purchase the Pertronix D135700 y block distributor. All the connivence of the MSD and half the cost and it’s new not a rebuilt cardone Bought mine from Summit and couldn’t be happier. 

Duane

If you buy the Pertronix combo that includes the coil that most people sell it has an oil filled coil that is best mounted vertically. People have had issues with those burning out when mounted horizontally. If you buy the unit and coil separately you can get an epoxy filled coil that can be mounted horizontally and can withstand more vibration..

Don't rule out the ACCEL 2020 kit - they work in all 1957-74 Ford distributors, are much cheaper than Pertronix, and are more readily available at most parts stores. For daily drivers, this kit has been my go to when guys want to replace their points/condenser units.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Whatever coil you decide on check the primary and secondary resistance right out of the box. My experience with MSD coils has been primary as advertised but the epoxy filled secondary off by + several thousand OHMS (I tested 3 on the counter all way high). I have an MSD 6A and found the MSD8202 oil filled .7 OHMS primary resistance to spec but the secondary off by +1000, that’s the one I installed. High secondary resistance defeats the MSD. An oil filled coil wired correctly should be fine if installed with the polls horizontal to each other, after all back in the day that’s all there was. 🚙

1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY

Aren't the original coils oil-filled and mounted horizontally?