It's Pointless
First I'd like to say your magazine is great. I think you balance the late-model and early iron very well.
I have a '73 Mach 1. It has a 351 Cleveland engine and points. I have a distributor and electronic box out of a '76 Gran Torino 351M, and I'd like to know how to hook it up. What wires must have power? Please advise so I may go pointless.John WillisShelby, NC
I like the idea of swapping in Ford's own Duraspark electronic ignition in place of an earlier points setup. The factory distributor looks stock, replacement parts are available at any parts store, and the system is quite trouble-free.
Your 351C can use the 351M distributor, so those can simply be swapped directly. The electronic distributor will contain a wire harness that plugs into the control module car "box" and will utilize these wires: black, purple, and orange. These wires run between the control module and the signal generator inside the distributor. Three more wires will now remain on the control module and are connected as follows: green wire to the "dist" or negative side of the coil; white wire to the "I" or bypass terminal on the starter solenoid; red wire to a keyed power source that goes on and off with the ignition switch. Use the same wire for the "batt" or positive side of the ignition coil that's there now for the stock points distributor so that the factory resistor wire is still utilized.
Switch ignition coils to the electronic type and try to incorporate as much of the Duraspark wire harness ends as possible. New harness ends are available from local parts stores.
Events
Regional and local events that includeMustangs in their activites may be listed in this column by sending the necessary information to Mustang Monthly, P.O. Box 7157, Lakeland, FL 33807. Listings must be submitted at least 120 days prior to the event. Please type listings if possible.
November 18, Bradenton, FL
The 10th Annual Super Sunday Mustang and Ford Show at DeSoto Mall. Registration fee, $15 before October 31; $18 day of show. Registration from 8 to 10 a.m. Modified MCA judging rules. Only preregistered cars will be judged. Awards presented at 4 p.m. Car corral and vendors. Dash plaques to the first 100 entries. For more information, call Alice Boomer, (941) 747-2932 or Lola Baker, (941) 351-3789.
November 25, Long Beach, CA
Ecology Auto Parts presents the High-Performance Swap Meet and Car Show. Buy-sell-trade, cars-parts-accessories, new-used-antique (monthly, rain or shine). For 24-hour information, call (800) 762-9785 or visit the Web site www.toppingevents.com.
November 25, Indianapolis, IN
The Fall Edition of the Super Sunday Indy Automotive Swap Meet and Car Sale at the West Pavilion of the Indiana State fairgrounds. For more information, call (708) 563-4300 or write to Mid-America Promotions, 7322 S. Archer Rd., Justice, IL 60458.
December 9, Long Beach, CA
Ecology Auto Parts presents the High-Performance Swap Meet and Car Show. Buy-sell-trade, cars-parts-accessories, new-used-antique (monthly, rain or shine). For 24-hour information, call (800) 762-9785 or visit the Web site www.toppingevents.com.
February 21-24, Zephyrhills, FL
The 28th Annual Winter AutoFest Car Show, Swap Meet, Auction, and Vintage Auto Racing at Festival Park. Featuring classics, customs, street rods, street machines, sportscars, musclecars, specialty trucks, and especially Mustangs and other Fords. For more information, call (813) 258-6726 or visit the Web site www.zephyrhillsswapmeet.com
May 4, Augusta, GA
Spring Fever 2002, Mustang and Ford Show, presented by the CSRA Mustang Club at the National Hills Shopping Center. Awards for First, Second, and Third Place winners in 25 judged classes plus sponsor's choice for Best of Show. Dash plaques to the first 100 entries. For more information, call Keith Hazelrigs, (706) 556-3755 or James Alderidge, (706) 854-9597.
May 25-26, Tri-Cities, WA
The 22nd Annual Spring Show 'n' Shine and Fun-Run at Howard Amon Park in Richland, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Mustang Club. Rally event on May 27 and participants' choice show on May 28. For more information, call Cheryl Ziemer, (509) 627-4570; Harland Lippold, (509) 627-8264; or e-mail HorseHeavn@aol.com.
Send your questions to:
Beyond the Basics
c/o Bob Aliberto
P.O. Box 205
Salt Point, NY 12578
e-mail us at mustangm@emapUSA.com