I thought it was a Pertronix but its a MSD 8383. Thats in a stock 292 with an Edelbrock 500 Thunder Series. I have never started the engine due to the project still in progress. Meanwhile I am working on another project. Its a stock 272 that ran good when I last started it. I have converted it over from a two barrell to a four barrell and am looking at options for electronic distributer and carberator. I would like to consider something that will not only run the stock 272, but also would be a good fit if I ever rebuild the 272 to a 292. Is there an advantage to the Pertronix I, II, III, over the MSD 8383? I was a little surprised to see what I paid for the MSD 8383 and am considering other alternatives for the 272/292 in the future.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

I see some rebuilt durasparks on Ebay in the $225 range but they are not electronic.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

I just ran across this listing on Ebay. Item # 301870694314, Seller has reconditioned and re-curved Y-Block Distributors. Some converted to Dura-Spark, original Spec re-conditioned Dizzy's, and original with re-curved Advance. Seems to know what He is talking about. Has them for other Ford Engines also. 
Worth having a look at his Products.

  

The MSD 8383 is an entire, brand new distributor, which is much more user friendly to tune, compared to a stock distributor.  That is apples and oranges as far as cost goes, compared only to an electonic convesion.

Duraspark is electronic.  The difference is that you must use an external box with a duraspark distributor.  The MSD 8383 and conversions like Pertronix do not require a box.

Again, as far as advantages, it's an apples and oranges thing, complete distributor vs only a conversion.
When I had the Ignitor II, in a freshly rebuilt distributor, with matching coil and wires, I noticed no difference at all over points.  So with the Ignitors, the III is probably what you want to have a chance that it is better than points.  Assuming everything else is in tip top shape, I don't think you will notice any difference at all with only the 8383 or only a pertronix conversion - you'll need some sort of box as well. 



Lawrenceville, GA

Is the Ignitor I, II, and III the same as the Pertronix I, II, and III? All just converstion kits to change over stock distributers?

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

They are the Pertronix Ignitor.  They are available 3 different ways, I, II, III. They are just conversions.

MSD, Mallory, and those Chinese MSD copies on eBay are the only companies that produce a complete distributor for a Y



Lawrenceville, GA

Ill have to check my MSD. Hopefully it was not a Chinese version. It looks to  me like I can pick up another MSD 8383 for less than it would cost me to get a rebuilt Duraspark ($225), wire harness Duraspark to MMS Box ($17), and a MMS Box with Mag Pickup ($240).

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

I don't know what MMS is so I may be out of line here.
Now we are not talking apples to apples about hardware.  Duraspark with an aftermarket box will be better than MSD 8383 without a box, so even though the Duraspark arrangement may cost a little more, it should be better and get the most for your money.



Lawrenceville, GA

I have had a duraspark 2 on my ranchero for 2years now,works great, it was easey to convert the original to dura spark,went to the wrecker and picked up 3 ditributors with dura,useing the pickup and reluctor in the old dist, and a used ford box.,increased plug gap as wellThere was some good info on conversion at this site. ther is a provision on the later boxes to retard the timeing at crank.  milage beter,more responsive,will be converting to the newer coil shortley.

Hopefully Steve Metzger -Greenbird will see this Topic and give his Expertise. He's done Duraspark Conversions and other interesting Ignition Setups. If you go back to some of his Postings You will see what He has done.