OK I have a 78 ,2f motor with stock electronic distribor & ignighter > my ???? is what the heck is a ignighter ? & now reliable are they ???? or should I just run the chevy HEI & just carry the extra do hickey for spare parts what do u think ???? thanks 55 guy

The '78 distributor should be one of the waterproof ones,(very desirable) I think the igniter lives on the side of the coil, thats where it is on my '77. When the igniter goes, your parked :eek:

Mine was still working on my '76 when I swapped in Toy '83 electronic ignition. I'd say 25 years on an electronic part is pretty good. If you want to swap in Cewvy HEI, send me the old one! If the distributor is getting tired, there are several places you can have it rebuilt.

As I understand it the igniter system is supposed to make the points last longer. It eliminates the condenser from the side of the dist. They are pretty reliable, but still use points in the dist. As far as being dead when they igniter goes, i don't believe that is true. I read something awhile back that indicated a spare condenser could be carried, and the igniter bypassed as a "work around". I think the question should be wheather you want points (easy to fix on the trail, but always wearing), or electronic (very reliable, but an extra module should be carried or when it dies, so does your rig).......