Pinto Car Club of America

What will i have to do to convert my 74 wagon to electronic ignition? I may convert it. A new ignition module (cheap one) is $20. I have an old 2.3 distributor that works fine in town (it made the engine misfire goin down the freeway after a couple of minutes but worked fine in town till i can get a new dizzy) The part im worried about is wiring it up. The igniton system is pretty simple but im confused as to where a few wires come from. And according to chiltons the wiring was a *little* different each and every year from 74 on. So i cant look at my 76 and tell where to wire it up at from were, unless i use everything from a 76 and wiring it up like a 76, if i dont have to go into the dash and change wires around from there. Theres also a possibility that i wont convert it, and just go strait to a 2.3 Turbo from  the 2.3 points-type nonturbo. 74 was the *only* 2.3 to use points. Only reason im considering converting from points to electronic ignition is because (1) its supposed to produce a hotter spark (better gas milage/performance?) and (2) i dont know sh*t about adjusting and fooling around with points and this car has some kind of problem that sounds timing. related (supposedly hits like it wants to fire but ends up spitting gas back up the carb, havnt got to check it out yet but it sounds timing related to me) and i dont know if its valve timing or ignition timing (or something in the distributor). Maybe a MSD ignition with my old electonic ignition 2.3 distributor is a better choice?

The MSD is going to be a little expensive.  I have a post about this that should be able to help you out:

http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php?topic=5310.0

Sounds like moving to an igniterI or igniterII might be a good idea.

IMHO: For stock cars, all the fancy igintions/coils are a waste. I would reccamend upgrading to electonic, but with stock Pinto parts from later year 2.3's. If you can find a harness and box you can wire it in to you stock harness. I have never seen one (never looked either) for a 2.3, but I have installed a bunch of aftermarket kits on cars and bikes and had very good luck with them.

I had a Pinto that did something what you are discribing and it turned out to be the fuel pump. It tested good for pressure, but could not put out the volume. Also check you tank vent.

Bill

i'll check that but i think its getting enough fuel. If it needs a pump ill probably put in an electric one. lol.