Coil / Distributer wiring question

[Redleg68]

Ok, putting a carbed 302 in my 92 Ranger. Question is what ignition hot wire did those that did this swap tie into for the coil and distributor? I've removed all the EFI wiring and box. Is there something in the dash to tie into without overloading it or do I run a new dedicated wire from somewhere?
Thanks for any input

 

[19Walt93]

What distributor are you using? Duraspark needs a resistor or resistor wire or the module will die early and often. Points need a resistor, too but please don't use points. Some aftermarket distributors want the full 12 volts.

 

[Redleg68]

Pertronix II dist and coil

 

[19Walt93]

Once you get it wired up and running, test the centrifugal advance curve. This was my experience:
I've installed Pertronix units in a couple points distributors and been happy with them so I decided to buy a Pertronix distributor for my 351 Ranger. It's shiny billet which doesn't appeal to me but it has bearings instead of bushings on the shaft and was very simple to wire. The problem is the centrifugal advance mechanism. It looks like a GM unit and the springs and weights are under the cap and easier to access than a Ford distributor. But they don't work. Centrifugal advance should come in smoothly and in a linear manner as the RPM's increase and drop back to base timing instantly when the engine returns to idle. My distributor doesn't advance at all until it's been held at about 2000 RPM for at least 8 seconds and doesn't return to base timing until it idles for 14 seconds. If I put in lighter springs it will advance at 1500-also after 8 seconds- and will only drop back when the engine is shut off. I called Pertronix in the summer and described what it was doing, at first I was told it can't do that, then he suggested I see if Summit would exchange it and call him for a replacement if they wouldn't. Summit replaced it without question even though I bought it 14 month prior. The replacement works exactly the same so I called Pertronix again and arranged to send it for testing after I parked the truck in November. It cost $35 to send it and I just got it back with a note :tested good , no details, no comment about the advance, no date or ID of the person who "tested" it. I assume they plugged it in, spun it up and it threw sparks, and put it back in the box.
If I had a good 351 distributor with a roller cam compatible gear I might put a Pertronix unit in it because the Ford advance mechanism works. I don't so I'm looking.
This distributor is a shiny turd and would be perfect on a Chevy small block with billet pulleys and an Edelbrock carb. The folks at car shows who are impressed by bling would love it.

 

[RonD]

There should be a red/light green stripe wire in engine bay, it powered TFI and Coil, comes from ignition switch