76 should have a factory electronic distributor. they usually have a different style cap on them. i would need to see whats under the distributor cap to be sure if its electronic or points. the factory electronic system is called a duraspark ignition. it will have a box mounted on the the drivers side inner fender that is about 6"x6" square and 2" thick. do you have any pics of the drives side of the engine compartment.
If you've got a 76, it should be a Duraspark setup now. Buying an MSD will only benefit MSD's bank account.
Which is why I converted mine to manual brakes and trimmed the shockl towers. Been there-done that deal with a 67 BB Mustang with a 390 and later a 427.
What do you mean? Is the msd not an upgrade? I thought someone posted earlier that the duraspark is not good.
a msd wont give you any significant gains. its for high performance engines that generate high cylinder pressures that require higher spark voltage and amperage to be able to light off the air fuel mixture. on a stock or mildly modified motor there wont be any real gains worth the cost of a msd box.
makes perfect sense. Thanks. So what is considered a hp or fuel consumption threshold where additional spark is needed?
Nope, it's not an upgrade from a Duraspark. The original Duraspark setups had problems the first couple years with the spark boxes going bad, but all that's long since been corrected. My 331 3x2 motor is fired with the stock 77 Duraspark setup and a hotter coil (don't recall the brand offhand) It's plenty good to 7000 rpms. MSD is a complete waste of money if you have a Duraspark now. What I'd do on yours is convert to the large distibutor cap with brass terminals (available at the local parts house) and buy a set of Ford Racing 9mm wires, Autolite copper core plugs.
I can't count the number of times "I" have completed the circuit by grasping wires; one day, I'll educate myself on electricity in a passive sense. Great information provided by all. It may be helpful to purchase a Chilton's Manual or a Maverick Service/Shop Manual to identify and comprehend the basics of components and what they do.
there is no hp or fuel consumption threshold. its about the cylinder pressures. if you have over 11-1 compression ratio, or a power adder that creates the higher cylinder pressures then you need to consider an ignition amplifier system like a msd.
