Distributor vrs spark plug gap question

S

steve fritz

Well-known member
I am looking for advise on a 302 Ford engine question. I have a 1982 Ford 302 stock engine that I am installing in a 51 Ford. I didn't want to keep all the smog controls, air conditioner , power steering and the serpentine belt system on the front of this 302. So I found the front v-belt system parts from a 70 Mustang 302 and swapped it onto the 82 model 302. That worked just fine. So now I also swapped out the 1982 ignition distributor and am running the older style basic distributor with points and coil. My question is with the spark plugs. Now the 82 version heads take the smaller pencil size spark plugs and call for a 45 thousands gap. But my thinking is , because I switched to the older distributor and coil, i SHOULD SET THESE SPARK PLUG GAPS MUCH TIGHTER, LIKE THE 34 THOUSANDS IT CALLS FOR WITH THE OLDER STYLE DISRIBUTOR AND COIL. DOES THAT SOUND CORRECT ??????
Any thoughts on this swap would be appreciated, and is there anything else I should do? I am not into super high performance, just want a nice cruiser engine. I was considering switching out the points to the Pertronics pointless system, but that can wait.
Steve
 
OK, thanks. Is there any down side to doing what I have explained ? And how much better are these aftermarket distributors that I see in Speedway and Summit, etc????? Do you get that much more effecicient spark and performance? If so, what is the best choice for the money? Remembering that this engine is all stock and I am not out to racing, etc
Thanks again!
Steve.
 
I have run a Pertronix with a Pertronix coil since 2000 with no problems. I recently bought all new of the same for another engine, and it was toast in two weeks. I found out from one supplier they moved offshore. I'll stick with points for a while.
 
Problem with a Pertronix if it does fail you won't find parts locally,I have run this for 3 years: http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=6502-BL lifetime warranty and since it uses all GM Chevy parts any parts store can fix you up.the hook up is EZ one wire to the "I" terminal on the solenoid and it's a done deal with no other external wiring or coils or control boxes.And you can run the gap .045"-.050" for a big fat spark.
 

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One thing you might consider - get a CD (capacitive discharge) box as an add on - and use your points to trigger it. Some artful wiring will hide the box - and it will definitely add some zip to your spark. By keeping the wiring diagram handy - if it quits, you can always switch to the points and drive home.

I think MSD and Summit both have sort of "entry level" units for a fair price. These are often overlooked these days - but they work - and often will raise the MPG of a daily driver by one or two (over points).
 
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