Anybody here still running a period-correct or factory point-type ignition?

[lloyd3]

Familiarity breeds contempt is the expression. For me, however, familiarity and simplicity are more-like good old friends.  I've been running the factory dual-point distributor in my '68 since I've owned it and it has caused me almost zero trouble over the years (almost 25 of them now). I know I'm way overdue for a tune-up (like 10-years?) but it runs beyond fine so I don't tend to mess with it very much. It's a flaming pain to re-do everything (because of the dual-point action), but thankfully, once it's been set up properly...it has been almost trouble-free.  Parts aren't nearly as commonly available as they once were, but can be ordered and in-hand within a matter of hours (or sometimes a day or two) and... they are usually dirt-cheap when compared to the alternatives.  Am I the last of the hold-outs here for this type of technology?

[mr. hemi]

I still run the factory Prestolite dual point in my Charger.

[birdsandbees]

Yep, both cars. Can't for the life of me figure out why people would "upgrade" from simplicity that can be fixed on the side of the road with a pocket knife.

[Mike DC]

 
A points-type ignition keeps getting more appealing as the electronic boxes on the market keep getting less reliable. 

[lloyd3]

mr hemi:  I believe mine's a Prestolite unit as well (I've forgotten what distinguishes that). No matter, I'm slightly shocked by how well this unit has held up. I had to solder a connection for the condenser last time I replaced everything, but other than that it's been bulletproof. My experience with aftermarket dual-point distributors was never as good as mine has been with this one.  In the mad rush to upgrade and modify these cars for better performance back in the day, very few folks kept their original ignition systems. The folly of all that has been made clear to me now.

[Challenger340]

I still run the factory original single points distributor in our '69 R/T SE, fires first time every time, never skips a beat, absolutely trouble-free.
I'm not exagerating when I say he 440 never cranks even half a turn and fires instantaneously !

And that said...
I can see no absolutely reason to 'upgrade' from what has performed flawlessly over the years ?  what 'upgrade' is there from that ?

[billssuperbird]

Can I ask why there's paint can Lids underneath the wiper blade arms on the yellow Superbird what is the reasoning for this

[Mike DC]

     
There's an RPM component to this.  A distributor that is a little "off" will cause more trouble at higher revs than a lower revs.   

That's partly why racers (and eventually the OEMs) got into crank-trigger ignitions.  That huge reluctor wheel helps the precision.   



 

[birdsandbees]

Can I ask why there's paint can Lids underneath the wiper blade arms on the yellow Superbird what is the reasoning for this

Because 50 year old wiper blades are the price of gold. Been doing this for decades. Simple spray can lid slipped under the arm, sitting on top of the windshield trim, holds the blade off the glass.

[XH29N0G]

I keep my points ignition and reserve just in case if someone decides to wipe out all electronics with some sort of blast.  

Then I'll be laughing and driving and they'll be walking

I actually like the MSD that I have but the points worked fine when I had that  .. well except in a rain storm when the water drained through my blinker holes onto my dizzy.

[stripedelete]

Original ingnition here.  I feel the same way as the Op and Birdsandbees.

[mr. hemi]

I still run the factory Prestolite dual point in my Charger.

I will admit I have the best of both in my opinion. I use the Prestolite distributor to trigger a hidden MSD 6A (analog) system. All connections are made at the ignition coil. Should the MSD ever fail, the system can be reverted to stock in about 5 minutes, then continue on my way. The points last nearly forever as they carry minimal current. I have been running this for 20 years, though not many miles. I have never had to adjust or replace the points in that time. I initially did this because non-resistor plugs were no longer available and wanted more energy for the resistor plugs. Works great, never had a bit of trouble with it.

[billssuperbird]

I used to original points for a while then went to the pertronix now I've got MSD. That's a good idea to protect your wiper blades especially if their original

[INTMD8]

Not on my Charger but still points and original coil on my 59 Cadillac.

Set the dwell once in a while, good to go.

Dual point is a nice distributor 

[Bronzedodge]

There's a few over on For B Bodies Only that swear by points ignition

[greycharger]

Bought a Holley Ignition Kit in the mid 70's. It had a hot coil, distributor cap, points, condensor, and a small can of go juice to put in the tank. I took it to a mechanic who had a Sun Distributor Machine. He pulled the dizzy, and set it up. That car ran so much better, my friends could tell I had done something. I certainly could tell that it ran the best ever, and that was without the go juice.

[lloyd3]

There was clearly room for improvement over the original equipment when you were looking to compete with your car. Hopping-up a car is a time honored tradition in this county (and elsewhere) but...restoring a car is a form of very different psychology.  What I have discovered (quite by accident) is that the Chrysler engineers at the time (late 60s) did a pretty good job making a performance-oriented vehicle fairly dependable and everyday drive-able.  My interests in these cars is now driven more by nostalgia than a need to compete on the street and I've found that using original equipment tends to make an older car much more dependable and accordingly, easier to drive and enjoy.

[moparchris]

71 440-6 GTX, Stock points distributor.  67 Hemi GTX stock Prestolite dual-point distributor.  Over the years I got tired of looking at those damn control modules being screwed into firewalls and the quality of the boxes getting worse.

[Mike DC]

   

and the quality of the boxes getting worse.

It's like so many other repro parts.  It doesn't last long, because nobody wants to pay much for it, because they don't expect it to last long. 

[GMP440]

I keep my points ignition and reserve just in case if someone decides to wipe out all electronics with some sort of blast.  

Then I'll be laughing and driving and they'll be walking

I actually like the MSD that I have but the points worked fine when I had that  .. well except in a rain storm when the water drained through my blinker holes onto my dizzy.

 I did the same thing too.  After I converted from points to electronic ignition on my 68 Coronet, I've kept the points distributer in the trunk in case I needed it.
  Back to the original topic.  Keep the points igniton.  Easy to trouble shoot and fix. 
  I remember when I had the points ignition the engine felt a tad stronger than when I converted over to electronic.

[fc7_plumcrazy]

the majority of my car still runs on factory original single point or dual point distributors

Carsten