Opinion on Electronic ignition for 68 340

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markfh

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I'm looking at using an Electronic Ignition system for my 68 dart with numbers matching original box stock 340. I'm not looking to race the car just drive it from time to time as I clean it up from about 30 years on jack stands.

I will send the original off to be restored eventually.

I was directed to this by a friend.
Proform Electronic Ignition Distributor Kit Mopar Dodge/Chrysler 273, 318, 340, 360

Opinions?


 
If you are wanting to keep you car closer to original, I would use a Pertronix. It fits in the stock distributor and only has 2 wires to hook up. I put one in my Swinger and it works great.
 
A friend has been running that kit(the proform)on his 318 for 5 years now very happy with it,no issues to speak of:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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I like the factory stuff myself. You can pick up a used distributor, buy a new wiring harness and control box and have a trouble free system that's easy on the wallet. I've done all 3 of our mopars this way with years of dependable service under their belts.
 
drive it from time to time? stock Points.....simple and nothing to fail electronically. Thats my vote.
 
drive it from time to time? stock Points.....simple and nothing to fail electronically. Thats my vote.
I had kept the dual point in my 66. I think the points have been in there for 5 years or so. I only drive it a couple thousand miles a year. The OP's distributor should be a dual point as well.
 
I tried petronix, the distributor kit failed & left me stranded an hour from home.

So I swapped in a new unit from Dodge, all good.

Then the Petronix coil failed & it left me stranded again......

Original 50 year old coil back in & all has been well since. :)
 
I'm looking at using an Electronic Ignition system for my 68 dart with numbers matching original box stock 340. I'm not looking to race the car just drive it from time to time as I clean it up from about 30 years on jack stands.

I will send the original off to be restored eventually.

I was directed to this by a friend.
Proform Electronic Ignition Distributor Kit Mopar Dodge/Chrysler 273, 318, 340, 360

Opinions?
I second the pertronix unit, so easy to install in the old distributor. I just added one to my truck and have had one in my 63 360 valiant that’s worked flawlessly for the last 5 years. I would suggest the epoxy filled coil since you can mount it horizontally as well as vertically.

Jake
 
I tried petronix, the distributor kit failed & left me stranded an hour from home.

So I swapped in a new unit from Dodge, all good.

Then the Petronix coil failed & it left me stranded again......

Original 50 year old coil back in & all has been well since. :)
After I ran MSD, I kept a points distributor in the trunk. I did that AFTER the 2nd 6A box failed on me and I switched to Mallory. I never had to use it but I felt better with it in the repair box. It recon' it would be about a <15 minute swap out on side of road with one wrench.
 
I'm looking at using an Electronic Ignition system for my 68 dart with numbers matching original box stock 340. I'm not looking to race the car just drive it from time to time as I clean it up from about 30 years on jack stands.

I will send the original off to be restored eventually.

I was directed to this by a friend.
Proform Electronic Ignition Distributor Kit Mopar Dodge/Chrysler 273, 318, 340, 360

Opinions?
Do it,,I did the same

engine became a different animal from the previous dual point mallory unit//shout out to (cowboy John) in rebuilding my vacuum advance !!!!!!!!!

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It all depends on what your used to working with and are comfortable with. They all have their pluses and minuses. I use a stock electronic distributor and keep a spare ECU and ballast in the car. I've only ever had 1 ECU go out on me, an Orange box that lasted about 4 years. If you go electric use clean wires and good grounds. The ECU box case must be grounded.
 
After I ran MSD, I kept a points distributor in the trunk. I did that AFTER the 2nd 6A box failed on me and I switched to Mallory. I never had to use it but I felt better with it in the repair box. It recon' it would be about a <15 minute swap out on side of road with one wrench.
yep, that MSD is afraid of that dependable points distributor so it's behavin'
 
I love my original dual point. Had one in my first A56 cuda, put over 90,000 on that car in 3 years, constantly adjusted the first set of points only because I had a habit of tinkering as a young kid before running grudge runs at Island Dragway. Changed out one set before I sold it. This A56 I have now (107,000 miles) needs points and the distributor gone over but the records I found indicate the points were changed sometime in the late 70's and look like it! You just have to be cautious with the application of lube on the lobes.
 
I was directed to this by a friend.
Proform Electronic Ignition Distributor Kit Mopar Dodge/Chrysler 273, 318, 340, 360
That's generic, so it will not have the best timing curve for your engine.
The further off the timing is from ideal, the less efficient and responsive it will be.
Probably the closest off-the shelf curve will be the MP distributor copy sold by Rick E.
That has to be used with a Chrysler type ECU, so you're in for that as well and some wiring.
It will have to be set with more initial, and probably richer idle. Possibly as rich as you can adust the original carb - which was intended to be run a little leaner at idle than pre-CAP carbs.
 
FWIW, any Pertronix module is very much like a Mallory Unilte module. They do NOT tolerate dirty power from the alternator and they will not tolerate jump starting with the ignition hooked up. Or one of those big jump boxes. It will kill the module.

As long as you know this, it’s never an issue. Not knowing it how these things fail. Just like the Unilte.
 
FWIW. The Pertronics triggers off the existing lobes on the distributor shaft that opens the points. These are rounded off ramps.
Not as precise as the reluctor used in the Chrysler distributor which has a distinct sharp profile. Knowing how anal Chrysler engineers are, you can bet they tested and optimized everything before releasing it. I ordered a new 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus in the fall of 1971 with a 318 snd spent the 30 something bucks for the optional electronic ignition. It was standard on the hi-po engines but not the 318. Only trouble I ever had was a pickup coil went bad.

With the intended use of the OP's car, it probably wouldn't matter much. The Pertronics is completely hidden indide the distributor and everything looks stock on the outside. The Chrysler setup would require mounting the control box somewhere. Not stock looking but in the Mopar world, generally accepted. Dual points require a little more maintenance and last I heard were a little difficult to find.
 
FWIW. The Pertronics triggers off the existing lobes on the distributor shaft that opens the points. These are rounded off ramps.
Not as precise as the reluctor used in the Chrysler distributor which has a distinct sharp profile. Knowing how anal Chrysler engineers are, you can bet they tested and optimized everything before releasing it. I ordered a new 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus in the fall of 1971 with a 318 snd spent the 30 something bucks for the optional electronic ignition. It was standard on the hi-po engines but not the 318. Only trouble I ever had was a pickup coil went bad.

With the intended use of the OP's car, it probably wouldn't matter much. The Pertronics is completely hidden indide the distributor and everything looks stock on the outside. The Chrysler setup would require mounting the control box somewhere. Not stock looking but in the Mopar world, generally accepted. Dual points require a little more maintenance and last I heard were a little difficult to find.
Actually, dual points are as easy to find as single points. As someone else previously stated, it's all in what you're comfortable with.
 
Save you OEM distributor. Get a used Mopar electronic distributor from a small block and convert it to HEI. That way nothing is cut up. There is a guy on here that can curve it and rebuild the one you have.
 
FWIW, any Pertronix module is very much like a Mallory Unilte module. They do NOT tolerate dirty power from the alternator
And this is so correct. Plus you better have the correct coil with the Pertronix system
 
I won't use ANYTHING that has to be ordered and shipped in my ignition.
 
Pertronix is junk...GM hei wrong car, wrong website.

Just get a factory 1974 Dart electronic distributor. Stock coil, ballast resistor, Mopar harness, and your set. The Proform is basically the same thing, and is decently priced. Millions and millions of miles on the Chrysler electronic ignition. Can't go wrong.

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I would stay with the point type distributor. A point type ignition can run every bit as good as an electronic with the exception of very high RPM. As long as everything's in good shape, it will run and run well.
 
Look at your little red X, how cute.
So evidently I'm not entitled to my opinion. That's great.

Go ahead and hack your GM crap in. You have fun with that.
My Chrysler spark is just fine.
 
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