New to me 1970 convertible.

jayspony

New Member
Jan 18, 2011
2
0
0
Oklahoma
Many issues but none of them major. Could really use some help on today’s development. I have a 351 Windsor and on my drive this morning she ran great. I was on the turnpike and about 90 miles into my drive I decelerated and noticed for the first time some noise in the exhaust (not backfire). I never got below 70 and as I reaccelerated I noticed I didnt have much power, but she got back to cruising around 75 / 80 and stayed smooth until I hit the off ramp. As soon as I came to a stop she died. And wouldn’t restart. She turns very strongly. Took the air filter off and she is getting lots of fuel and air flowing (she has a holey 600). So I pulled the cap and checked the points, then scraped the points with a screwdriver. she started up but very rough and required a very high idle just to move 3 blocks off the highway to work. Ill replace the points tonight and let you know if that works.
 
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Years ago I did a Pertronix upgrade and noticed seat of the pants more power. I also got better fuel economy. After driving the car for years and years without touching the distributor I think it's a great product. Now I always upgrade any points ignition to Pertronix first thing.
 
Might be worth upgrading on my 1969 F100. I just hate to change anything. The truck is completely factory stock with exception fo duals from the manifolds back. The points can be cantankerous. Mine have been on the truck since 2000 right before it was parked in a barn. Luckily so far the truck runs great, but any hint of moisture kills it. Im sure it would be well worth the upgrade, but I hate to modify a completely factory unpolluted gem.
 
"Im sure it would be well worth the upgrade, but I hate to modify a completely factory unpolluted gem".

The only visible thing you will see is one extra wire coming out of the distributor. I put a Pertronix in my otherwise stock 65 K coupe years ago in place of the factory dual points and it has been the single best thing I ever did to the car. Starts instantly, idle's great and pulls to 6,000 rpm without a problem.
 
"Im sure it would be well worth the upgrade, but I hate to modify a completely factory unpolluted gem".

The only visible thing you will see is one extra wire coming out of the distributor. I put a Pertronix in my otherwise stock 65 K coupe years ago in place of the factory dual points and it has been the single best thing I ever did to the car. Starts instantly, idle's great and pulls to 6,000 rpm without a problem.

I was very suprised how quickly the points start, but she idles lumpy until she warms up, I have the 360 and it will rev to 5,500 rpm. I usually shift at 4,000. But the engine is far from efficient, 10mpg on the road, and I can just about measure fuel usage in gallons per hour in town. I know they big FEs wont ever be efficient, but they have achieved 12-14mpg hiway, Im wondering if small upgrades will gain slight efficiency and maybe a little more power. I know that switching to better ignition on a 65 Mustang coupe with a 289 actually netted a couple of RWHP on the dyno. One day Id like to install a 390 4bbl but for noe im just patching up the old 360, gotta save $$$$ to replace my floor pans, sandblast, and primer my 68 Mustang the end of this year.