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Since, as I have gathered, 72-75 is a (slightly) different engine than '76 and up, an as some of you have mentioned a lot of things are unique to '72. I have read a bit on here about swapping in a later electric distributor, say from a Trooper or what have you, into these trucks, but am not clear about the backward compatibility with '72. I am asking because I am developing a scheme to install electronic ignition in my truck. If a '81 distributor will work, then I will probably buy one of those. (Can I just put that one in and hook up my coil, or what? I hope I don't need some "module" too.)

Otherwise--my scheme, which I think will work, is to buy a distributor for a '75 (where the mating to the distributor gear looks the same as the '72) and then a Pertronix 1741 kit. Truthfully, I will save up for the distributor, run that with points for a while, save up for a Pertronix, then install the Pertronix.

What do you all think? I am going for simplicity and a minimum of wiring. (And attempting a minimum of cost of course).

I believe it wont.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

72-75 is a Hitachi distributor. 73-73 had dual point setup, 74-75 had single point set.
76-80 have a Nippon Denso unit, completly different.

Well then, looks like I'll go with my '75 distributor plan. I've already disabled one set of points in my dual point distributor by disconnecting the distributor relay. Now, I only ever run on the retarded points (for which I set the timing at 8 degree before) no matter what. Before, I think I was on advanced points at idle, and then retarded by 4 degrees while driving meaning I was losing power (and yes, gaining fuel economy and reducing emissions which is why they did it). I really don't think dual point distributors are useful. More parts, more to go wrong.

Dual points info at link:

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig200.htm

I think i have a '75 distributor if you haven't found one yet.

PM me if interested. It's 6-pack priced. Buy me a 6-pack and you can have it.

Eric Q.

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'75 body with '82 diesel running gear
My build thread.

will send pm.

Well now that seems like a good reason to make a dual point distributor, but I don't think that's what's happening in the Hitachi dual points. They are using it to change the timing on demand, which I don't want. The fact that they did it two years only is also a clue that either it was an expensive option that they got rid of as time went on and they were trying to be cheaper, or it was something that didn't really matter or work well.

Remember that the timing specs go with the distributor. For a 75 unit you time it at 12 degrees.

Dual points were a good idea in theory - but in actual use really sucked. Like you said...more parts = more problems. Getting them both adjusted and working perfectly (and keeping them that way under normal use) just didn't work out very well.

Pertronix I believe still makes a pretty good kit for adapting an early version ('72 - '75) Luv's single point distributor over to electronic. You might wanna get Eric's distributor and give that a try.

Just a thought...I still have those once in a while. Some of them are even usefull - surprisingly enough at my age...lol

Well from what I've read on here you got many good thoughts Tazman. I got Eric's distro and am rebuilding the unit right now. Was in nice condition--you know I did some research on the internets, and I guess that even the rebuilts that you can buy from Napa (Cardone brand usually) can be worn out already, so to pay extra money for a rebuilt one that might be worn out, rather than rebuilding a good unit myself, well the choice was obvious. Yeah, I'm gonna run it with points for a while then get a Pertronix kit.

Hey, question for you all, (pardon me if I've neglected to RTFM on this one,) what's the total advance on these motors supposed to be? I checked my '72 distributor today on the motor with the timing light and at 2000-3000 RPM it looks like I get about 22 degrees advance. I don't have vacuum advance right now (vacuum port on carb doesn't output) but I think the more throttle, the less vacuum anyway so it's all mechanical at higher RPM.

Update, put in a Pertronix kit today. Bought that '75 distributor from Eric Q., it was a bolt in swap for my '72 distributor. The Pertronix 1741 kit is bolt in for the '75 distributor except that the wires are not long enough to reach all the way to the coil. Also the way the module plate screws down you can't adjust the air gap, one of the holes needs to be slotted and it is not. But the gap was correct so I left it alone. The truck feels like it idles a lot stronger now and I don't feel like it'll die at a stoplight.

I feel there are very few folks with the 72-75 engines, and fewer still with the 72-73 dual point distributors like me...but for them hopefully this might be helpful.

Now I gotta rebuild that *&^#E$ Hicrappy carb because it's the weak spot on the motor now that the ignition is all tuned up

I still got the dual point distributor on mine..

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