Ok, I get the picture now AZ28, I think just one petronics igniter would work fine in this distributor if he wants to go that route.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

The dual point distributors would make some serious sparks - and every racer and hot street car had one at one time - but........ they are a pain to set and the points still can bounce at high revs.

The Duraspark outfits I fool with all of the time have a fixed dwell of about 25°-26° in the factory style contollers - this is not performance stuff. Todd's dual point could easily out-perform this type of electronic controller.......but reliability/servicability are the other issues and thats where the electronics kick butt. The basic Ignitor (first generations) had low fixed dwell and wouldn't handle much current either - only the later versions would be capable of performance that would equal or rival the dual point.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

A little background on the car. The original owner had the original 312 swapped out in late '56 for a full-house, bored, stroked, ported, etc. Edelbrock-built Y-block with 330+ cubic inches. Had a radical Isky cam, early prototype Hedman headers (by Bob Hedman), a 553 intake w/3 94's, and this distributor.

My Uncle scattered (copmpletely) the edelbrock engine, and had another more mild 312 long-block built, salvaging only the headers, intake, and distributor. Has a mild cam, but otherwise stock.

I plan to replace the cap/points/condensor, etc. but ultimately would prefer a pertronix set-up based on many recommendations. However, I would really like to keep the W&H distributor for appearance & history...but the dual-point set-up seems to be a PITA compared to a pertronix.

And Billy, upon closer inspection, the points are slightly offset to create a double spark as you and others mentioned, so I was incorrect in saying that they were both in sync...

I am planning to talk to tech support at pertronix to see what they can do for me, and appreciate all the constructive information that you guys have given.

Thanks,

Todd

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

I always liked the look of the dog-dish/beauty-ring combo.



Have seen many supposedly original late 40s/early 50s cars with them, and assumed it must have been a dealer-installed option? While never delivered from the factory as such, could dealers still have had those 15" wheel parts on hand in '56? Would any Ford accessory that was dealer installed still qualify car as concours original, I wonder?



I assume the beauty rings must scratch-up the wheel paint just like the full-wheel covers, but I wonder if the lack of full-wheel type rigidity might make them more liable to come loose when used with radials? Or maybe less liable?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Use this number, 1 800 827 3758 , it is a more direct number then the home office number that they give you on the website.  Good luck.

1958 F100 292

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs."

"Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice."

-Henry Ford

Hey Daniel,

The hubcaps are standard "poverty" caps for '56 fords. '55 had an identical cap, other than the white areas being painted red. These were the caps used underneath the accessory wire hubcaps...

I like the dog-dish style with (aftermarket) beauty rings...they just seem more sporty and lend themselves to this car's hot rod heritage...I also have a set of full hubcaps, and the conti-kit has a full cap, but that's only until I can pick up another dog-dish cap and beauty ring to match the others...

While I respect the guys that do concours-type restorations, this car will continue to be a period hot rod under the hood while remaining true to the original class & character of the single-seat birds...It will also remain in its original color scheme as it is now...

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

So the "concours" 40s cars with beauty rings I saw had non-dealer aftermarket parts (a la the non-original Roadster spoke wheels installed on most restored Birds)? I'm surprised no one with personal knowledge has chimed in.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Well, I called Pertronix and they don't have an application for my W&H Du-point...but they will make one for $300+/- for me...I guess for now I will just focus on other things I need to do (like the rebuild of the 3 94's) and stick with what I have since it still works okay...

I do have one question though...all indications show standard points set-ups to have a point gap of .014-.016". I have no specs on what my point gaps should be on my Du-Point. Can anyone help, based on there experiences with similar applications?

Todd

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

Todd - That price they gave you sounds a little too "opportunistic" to me - what model of car uses the points you found in the distributor? Are they from a Ford or GM product that can be identified? 

The ignitor modules simply attach to the point plate in the original screw holes for the points - so if you know (or can find out) the original application.....this shouldn't be impossible to figure out. The little plastic magnetic ring that fits over the 8 lobe cam can be adapted too.

The Ignitor II kits sell for what.....$100 ? Kind of hard to justify $200 worth of "help" from Pertronix.....chances are its going to be a standard part.

"Illegitemas Non-Carborundrum"

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Not quite sure what your question is here Daniel...I have aftermarket beauty rings with standard poverty caps for a '56 Ford, just a matter of taste for me...the accessory wire hubcaps with integral beauty ring were installed over these same poverty caps.

I am far from a T-bird expert and can't make an informed comment about the correctness of the K-H style wire wheels, or the 40's cars you mentioned...

Todd

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial