Ignition/Carb/Intake Upgrades

]I was doing some light reading last nite about some ignition upgrades and such... and since my engine will be 'new' when it comes back, I was thinking of making it newer electronically as well...

I have the standard AMC external voltage regulator/alt set-up, and whatever dizzy came with it...

if I wanted to go with an internally regulated alternator, and say... a 'better' ignition system, what would you recommend on a mid-range budget and to someone LESS knowledgeable than you when it comes to this stuff?

it doesn't have to be big race-track names... just something to make it more up to date and dependable electronically..

I have a holley now (came on it) and have NEVER dropped in a dizzy or carb before, so I need something relatively easy...

also, with the AMC 20 diff and planning to run 33s in the future, could you recommend a good DD gearing for the front and rear?

Thanks in advance

:easy rider:

 

For a simple drop in solution, I'd recommend going with an HEI distributor. Oddball brands on ebay for $150, though Summit has one of their brands for the same price. No experience with any of those, but I'd be cautious. A few years back some really cheaply made distributor gears were being installed on many different brands of HEI distributors, and destroying camshafts in the process. Hardened gears, wrong pitch, poor quality, etc...Anyways, your safe bet would be to use a brand name, such as MSD or DUI. Others might pipe up with their brand recommendation or experience, maybe these issues have been fixed since then. I ran a DUI on my CJ7 when I still had it, was really impressed how much of a difference it made. If you call them, they can custom build the vacuum advance to fit your engine if you have any other mods. Costs about $300 and you get 5 different colors to choose from which is neat.

 

What year is this engine? Points distributor or?

 

I just put an acdelco 12si style on mine with 3 wires the wiring needs upgraded and a dedicated ground is a good idea. I would run that or a cs140. The extra output at idle is well worth the added expense of the cs140, if you are doing a lot of low rpms.

 

If you have an original ammeter, don't use it with a big alternator. Carbeque.

 

according to the tag on the valve cover, its a 77... i dont know what kind of dizzy is in it, but i can get you a pic... im not very smart in exactly what it what as far as types etc

If you have an original ammeter, don't use it with a big alternator. Carbeque.

see? i had NO idea that could happen... i was planning on changing all the small gauges except the speedo, but im not sure yet... one of those details that i havent worked out yet

 

I use the Motorcraft distributor, upgraded to the "big cap" and TFI coil with MSD6 ignition. My engine seems to like it, and it's pretty easy since I already had the Motorcraft dizzy.

 

Fortunately (or unfortunately - depending on your outlook) there are many different ignition options for the AMC V8s.

If the engine is a '77, it's a good idea to replace the OEM Prestolite ignition with something other than Prestolite. The Prestolite stuff has no aftermarket support, and is trouble waiting to happen.

Choose a distributor:

1) '74 and earlier AMC/Jeep Delco points distributor
2) '78 and later AMC/Jeep Motorcraft Duraspark electronic distributor (variable reluctance type)
3) Aftermarket GM HEI distributor made to fit the AMC engine block (variable reluctance type)
4) Mallory aftermarket distributor (magnetic pickup, very expensive)

I think that's all your choices ...

Then choose the plastic parts, wires, coil and ignition module that you want. There are hundreds of different combinations of these parts.

I'm running a reman '78 Duraspark with a Pertronix coil and the big cap and wires, and a HEI module on my CJ-6. Lots of possible combinations. I expect that's why the aftermarket HEI distributors are popular - the HEI eliminates many of the choices. You have to use the HEI wires, HEI cap, HEI module, HEI coil, etc.

 

I made this table a while ago ... it shows some of your options if you use the Duraspark distributor.



NB the Cadone reman distributor does not come with the cap indexing tab, so you'll have to make that.

Apparently the Ford EI coils are cheap and plentiful in the yards.

 

Use a voltmeter, not an ammeter. http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml Jeeps are the same as old Dodges in this respect.

 

must've been reading too fast... I have a voltmeter... I was thinking about going with new gauges... but I haven't decided yet... any suggestions from the gallery?

I've been busy with sheet metal and getting ready to install the bed liner...

thanks for all the info guys!

:easy rider:

 

I personally like Autometer gauges, their Traditional Chrome series keeps the gauges looking "stock". (If that is what you are looking for).

 

I have Autometer also, they have a good selection.

 

10-4! thanks... i'll look into those

im thinking double D with bezels and a speedo, tach, H2O, oil, volts, and fuel...

i like gauges fb

heres the dizzy and alternator that i have... the dizzy cap was brown i think... the current coil is an accel high vibration model





theres an external voltage regulator that goes with this alternator



i dont want to drag race, i just want something a bit more up to date and that willl work well with my 'new' engine

thanks for all the input!!

:easy rider:

 

That's a Prestolite BID (breakerless inductive discharge) distributor. You must use the BID module with this distributor. The BID system was not reliable and there is no aftermarket support other than cheap generic replacement parts. It would be foolish to reuse it, IMO.

The alternator is a Motorcraft. Meh. It's an alternator. They aren't as reliable as the Delcos, but it would not be terrible to reuse it. It needs the external regulator on the fender. A Delco will have an internal regulator, and fewer wires under the hood.

 

I was hoping to go Delco with the internal and change the dizzy to something else... probably MSD since they seem to get good reviews from everyone I know who has one... and a dizzy to match the MSD...

suggestions for a set?

I am at a complete loss for what/who/where for ignition systems... not something I have ever replaced

anything special to change the alternator?

new wiring?

I have a painless re-wire, brand new, never installed that I am going to use

bracketry?

is there one that I can get for a Delco? or do I need to customize something...

all this new engine stuff has me excited as all get out, but I KNOW im forgetting something that's going to cause me much frustration... I can FEEL it

 

I swapped my Prestolite or whatever alternator to a CS130.. If you swap to a more recent style internal regulated alternator I'd stay away from the one wire versions. The three wires are much better because it has a dedicated voltage sensing wire. I did mine on a 304. I used the original brackets cept I had to shorten one piece by the difference in the alternator dimensions. There is plenty of info out there on alternator swaps..

As for the ignition, there are a lot of options. Besides what's listed above,, DUI is fairly simple, MSD makes good stuff as well.. The Prestolite is junk. I carried a spare ignition module with me, cause it would crap out with no warning. In fact I may still have 2 of em sittin in the garage. I decided to upgrade to TBI and spec'd an ignition as well, controlled by the ECU electronically.. Just depends on how much you want to spend.


Remember, one thing at a time.

 

Don't flame me but I'm running a new $40 HEI distributor for AMC i6 from ebay (which ended up being a local shop oddly enough who have been selling them for years w/out more than 1-2 minor issues) and it works just fine.

 

The only problem with the MSD distributor is that they are very expensive. And you still need to buy their module. The remanufactured Duraspark distributor is about $50, and it will drive the MSD module too. A remanufactured Delco points distributor will drive the MSD module ... also inexpensive. Lots of mixing and matching is possible.

The DUI (Davis Unified Ignition) is a repackaged GM HEI clone, but you supposedly get some extra tailoring of the distributor to the application, and something of a name-brand guaranty. The people that have them seem happy.

 

wow... ever feel like when people talk to you, youre actually REALLY snockered and none of it makes sense?

that's how im feeling now hahahaa

maybe middle road cost and performance is what i'll get...im not mall crawling, but im not running the Baja 1000 either... DD stuff is fine for me... and probably much less confusing...

thanks everyone for all of the input... I hope you don't feel like I wasted your expertise or time