Distributor Identification

[petersen_1955]

I have a 1975 Ford Windsor 233 (351) engine. I'm looking to upgrade it with an electronic ignition. The cap says that it is Mercury Marine and has screws to tighten it down. I don't see anything on the distributor itself that would identify whether it is a Mercury Marine or Prestolite. Please enlighten me.<br /><br />BTW, is Mercury Marine actually Mallory?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Distributor Identification

not real sure on something that old but about the best electronic upgrade for that ford is the prestolite BID used by pleasure craft and indmar and a few others for years, parts and testing teqniques are readily avalible and its not very expensive as well as it has a decent longevity.

 

[Darkhorse1201]

Re: Distributor Identification

Actually I think a better solution would be a Pertronix electronic ignition. These are pretty universal and will fit inside an existing distributor. That way you dont have the old point system any more. You can also upgrade your coil at the same time for a hotter spark. Hope this helps!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Distributor Identification

you wont get a hotter spark, just wont happen and with a petronix if it breaks find parts locally and find trouble shooting teqiques<br /> if ya dont believe it on the spark use a <br />kv tester.

 

[ron7000]

Re: Distributor Identification

have same engine and year, mine was a prestolite.<br />I replaced in 1993 with whole new 351 and it came with the same prestolite distributor, with points.<br />That's easily convertable to a pertonix, which is what I've been running past 10 years no problems. Nice thing about that prestolite distr. is the cap and rotor are cheap and available so it's not a bad way to go as long as you know that 1975 distribuor isn't worn out. If there's any play in the gearing or the mechanical advance don't work or the springs are gone then your better off looking at a whole new distributor- mallory, prestolite, msd, and pertronix all have complete distributors with electronic ignition. Will cost more than just a conversion on your current distributor but less risk in the long run.