Is this any good? Duralast Ignition Control Module AM100 (RESOLVED)

[77Chief77]

Hello, 1977 Chief 360 V8 here,

So I've been recently having the typical Ignition Module issues. It appears that its on its way out the door. Anyway, I found this one at autozone for $55. Is this any good?

[letank]

77, do you still have the prestolite distributor with the dual vacuum advance canisters?

[Stuka]

'78 was the first year for a duraspark ignition.

In all the years I owned a prestolite ignition FSJ, I never found a "good" ignition module. I ultimately swapped in points, ran that for a year or two, and then swapped in an HEI and never looked back.

[rocklaurence]

I have two FSJs on Skip White HEI distributors. Ebay has them with spark plug wires for under $100. When I was salvaging FSJs 9-10 had the melted epoxy on the fender from failed spark boxes.

[77Chief77]

77, do you still have the prestolite distributor with the dual vacuum advance canisters?

Let me check and see. What's the best way to determine its a prestolite?

[77Chief77]

'78 was the first year for a duraspark ignition.

In all the years I owned a prestolite ignition FSJ, I never found a "good" ignition module. I ultimately swapped in points, ran that for a year or two, and then swapped in an HEI and never looked back.

Can you recommend a good and hassle free HEI?

[77Chief77]

I have two FSJs on Skip White HEI distributors. Ebay has them with spark plug wires for under $100. When I was salvaging FSJs 9-10 had the melted epoxy on the fender from failed spark boxes.

Sweet. Can you post the link?

[77Chief77]

Or should I just bite the bullet and just go straight HEI. This will eliminate the need of an ignition module and ignition coil correct?

Looks like this one might work?
https://performancedistributors.com/pro ... tributors/

Are they easy to install? If I've never done timing on a vehicle is it a bad idea to install this myself? Can I just rotate the dizzy and tune it by ear then take it to a shop to fine tune it, is this even a thing lol?

[letank]

this was supposed to have a pict... here we go

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=179556



post edit: my personal take on HEI, a pita to diagnose if you have an issue, the coil is burried in the cap, then after a while you may with this set up:



not the beer but when cracking the cap of the HEI

[77Chief77]

this was supposed to have a pict... here we go

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=179556



post edit: my personal take on HEI, a pita to diagnose if you have an issue, the coil is burried in the cap, then after a while you may with this set up:



not the beer but when cracking the cap of the HEI

Finally finding time to respond to this so thank you for your patience. Here is what I got

[77Chief77]

Based on further research I think this is prestolite stuff... prestolite dizzy, ignition module and napa coil and external resistor...
And after further research, people are saying to get rid of the presolite dizzy and module.

My knee jerk reaction is to just get a proven HEI dizzy, if that's a thing. Or if I get rid of the points, do I still need to run an ignition module?

Here are some pics of the current setup:

[fulsizjeep]

Prestolite is CRAP! The coil is not Prestolite specific and I don't understand the reference to resistor. The Prestolite dizzy does not have points.

A HEI distributor has everything you need to replace that Prestolite stuff. One wire solution. You remove the distributor, module and coil. I take the power for HEI off the yellow wire that powers the Prestolite module. My go to for HEI has been Skip White brand but they haven't been available from them in a while. I have seen this happen before and eventually they had the AMC V8 version again.

This is one I would probably buy if I needed one now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/A-TEAM-AMC-JEE ... SwK-1dS6qE

[77Chief77]

Prestolite is CRAP! The coil is not Prestolite specific and I don't understand the reference to resistor. The Prestolite dizzy does not have points.

A HEI distributor has everything you need to replace that Prestolite stuff. One wire solution. You remove the distributor, module and coil. I take the power for HEI off the yellow wire that powers the Prestolite module. My go to for HEI has been Skip White brand but they haven't been available from them in a while. I have seen this happen before and eventually they had the AMC V8 version again.

This is one I would probably buy if I needed one now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/A-TEAM-AMC-JEE ... SwK-1dS6qE

Do I need to find top dead center when installing the HEI dizzy? Or can I just make sure the rotor is pointing in the same direction as the presto when installing the new one? I'll probably get new plugs and wires too.

I've lurked and seen others running this HEI too. If I can't get the Skip white, I might go this route https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-850048

That blue napa module next to the prestolite ignition module is supposed to improve the coil/ignition is some way.

Thanks for the tip about the 12v yellow power wire.

[fulsizjeep]

That blue box is a voltage regulator. They were not built into the alternator back then.

oh - Going to TDC for installation would be good. It will help you determine which way you orient the top of distributor to clear the power steering pump.

[77Chief77]

That blue box is a voltage regulator. They were not built into the alternator back then.

oh - Going to TDC for installation would be good. It will help you determine which way you orient the top of distributor to clear the power steering pump.

Ok, great to know!

[77Chief77]

****UPDATE*** I just installed the Duralast Ignition Control Module AM100 from autozone and it did not work: https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune- ... 559_0_6007Duralast[/url]
I unplugged and reseated connections and no start. Threw in the original module (working but I believe its on it's way out) and started right up. For grins, I re-plugged in the new Duralast module again and again no start.

I'm going to try the one from Rockauto next:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 88&jsn=388Rockauto[/url]

[1978J10REDWHITE]

May I suggest what I did for my girls .
I installed this,
https://crtperformance.com/shop/ols/products/amcjeep-v8

Just order the color you want in the process.This comes with the wires also, fit was Very proper length for all 8.

[tgreese]

I have been running the Eichlin module from Napa on my '77 J10 since I've owned it. My CJ-6 came with an identical appearing - except for label - Standard Ignition module, but has since been replaced with stealth HEI (Duraspark distributor and HEI module).

[77Chief77]

Tried the rock auto and no dice. I ended up cleaning the connections on the original one and it’s been fine so far. As some suggested, I’ll most likely upgrade to a DUI dizzy when it finally goes.

[fulsizjeep]

I saw this again and had a flash back. I never had a Duralast Prestolite ignition module last more than a few months. Last time I bought one, I put it in at the parts store and it was dead. Guy put it on his tester and it said it was good. I put it back in but did not screw it down to fender well. It started. I put the fender well screws back it didn't start. So I try ground vs no ground a couple more times and confirmed the problem. Parts guy did not believe me. I drug him out and tried it a couple more times. I got my money back.

The best Prestolite module I have used is a Borg Warner unit. It was $85 vs $35 for Duralast. Not sure they are even available any more. Once I went through a couple more junk yard modules I bought into the HEI thing and never looked back.