1965-'73 Ford Electronic Ignition Conversion Choices

From HolleyHolley, a big player in electronic ignition components for a few years now, doesn't have a drop-in answer for ditching your points. You can use any one of Holley's Annihilator ignition systems to get a more accurate electronic ignition, but your points will still trigger it (albeit with less current running through them). The better answer is to use the Annihilator of your choice (perhaps the HP Annihilator [PN 800-100]) and the Holley Performance Billet distributor for small-block Fords (PN 890-110), which features mechanical and vacuum advance and its own performance module.

These Pertronix Flame-Thrower plug wires were introduced about two years ago and come in two types. The stock-look wires are 7 mm in diameter and are black with no lettering on them. They are low-key and look perfect at first glance under the hood of a vintage Mustang. The MAGx2 wire sets are 8 mm and come in blue, red, or black. With silicone jackets, dual current paths, and a low 500 ohms per foot resistance, these Flame-Thrower wires will get the job done for your electronic ignition conversion.

This shot of the Ignitor installed shows just how compact it is inside the distributor. With no moving parts it is a set-it -and-forget-it proposition. Pertronix even has applications for six-cylinder Mustangs.

From Mallory/ AccelACCEL also has a line of drop-in distributors that are designed for the typical street application of a vintage Mustang. The ACCEL BilletProof 71000 series distributors feature a CNC billet-machined aluminum housing and have a self-contained, high-performance ignition module. Just drop in the distributor and hook up the two wires. The mechanical and the vacuum advance systems, while preset for street driving, are fully adjustable.

Both Mallory and ACCEL have a variety of ignition coils to fulfill your electronic ignition conversion needs. Oil-filled canister coils can be found in inductive- and capacitive-discharge models and will fit your stock mounting bracket. Simply pick up the correct coil determined by the cross-reference chart in the company's catalog or on its Web site.

Mallory has several answers to your electronic ignition quest, depending upon your budget and what you want to see under the hood. Mallory, of course, is famous for its Unilite conversions. The Mallory Unilite (PN 502) will fit under your stock cap and provide maintenance-free ignition with no moving parts. Unfortunately, the Unilite is available only for V-8 applications. You can also upgrade to a Mallory drop-in distributor with either a Unilite or a magnetic breakerless pickup under the cap and vacuum advance. It's perfect if your distributor is worn and has too much play. Just hook up three wires and you're done.