Distributor or Electronic ignition 90hp

[Mac_55]

Finally got my hands on a numbers matching 90hp 3 cylinder,

rebuilding it this month to take the place of my 70hp

the question is, do i go with a distributor or newer chrysler/force ignition ??


Pros?? Cons???



Thanks

 

[Nordin]

Re: Distributor or Electronic ignition 90hp

The prestolite system (electronic) is better. It get you better performance and parts are easier to found. It was the same system on Force up to 1995-96. No maintain is need on the timing.
The distributer is easier to troubleshot and you still can get spareparts, CDI has the CD box 115-3301 but you can not connect a tach at it. (It does not have the tach wire). You have to maintain the points if the dist. has points. Later dists. had a preamp (electronic eay)

If the engine is manufact with distributer you have to modify if you will put the Prestolite system on.

FrankA has answer the question about this in some posts.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Distributor or Electronic ignition 90hp

Prestolite ignition was fased out in 92.
Anything newer than that used the Mercury thunderbolt switchbox ignition, until 1996 when it switched to the cdM ignition.


90hp 3 cylinder ??

Year?

I would definitely be using the Merc gin if you can make it work.

 

[Nordin]

Re: Distributor or Electronic ignition 90hp

Thanks roscoe about the year when they fased out the Prestolite system. I have never worked on a newer then 1992.
They (newer then 1992) are not so common here in Sweden

 

[tater76]

Re: Distributor or Electronic ignition 90hp

I retrofitted a 1973 75hp Chrysler with the newer Prestolite ignition. It was quite the project, but doable. HOWEVER, it is only worth it if you already have the prestolite setup, and have to buy nothing. My 73 block was actually shorter than the 89 block I removed it from. It required a special spacer under the bearing cage, drilling and tapping the block for the new cage, and had a few other clearance issues. I say if the older ignition can be saved, use it.

The only pros from my setup are parts availability, and it feels like my idle is a little smoother. If you decide to do it, I will send you a link to the thread I posted.