I have searched a lot and found a ton of stuff for 258s but not much on 304s if i have to get a whole new distributor what should i do. i would like to upgrade it instead of running a stock one since i dont have one i see no point in buying one and i have a set of 8mm wires and an accel coil sitting around. What would you do.

There is nothing wrong with the stock motorcraft distributer. It will do whatever you need it to do (judging from the fact that you are using PBB). You can use a stock one in conjuction with an MSD unit and have a super stong spark or you can throw the crappy stock stuff on it and have just enough energy to fire a perfectly balanced air/fuel mixture that doesn't exist in the real world. But you only need the stock distributor to do anything inbetween.

Or replace it with a HEI style from Bulltear.com or one from DUI. davis unified ignitions or what ever they call it, but AMC's with the DUI are simple one wire and run great.

Or replace it with a HEI style from Bulltear.com or one from DUI. davis unified ignitions or what ever they call it, but AMC's with the DUI are simple one wire and run great.


I'll second that. I did the HEI from a guy back east. I love it.

You have a number of options with the AMC motor. I ran a stock points style distributor until I started upgrading my motor. First I swapped the points for a Pertronix Ignitor II. It was a quick boltin that eliminates the points. I then added an MSD 6AL. This is a great setup, but a bit $$$. You can get a "ready to run" distributor from MSD or a probillet that needs an additional ignition box like the 6AL. The HEI setups previously mentioned are also good choices.
Dollar for dollar though, the best bang for the buck is the Ford TFI mod found here: TFI Mod (http://www.ifsja.org/tech/electrical/ignitionupgrade.shtml) . It was recently discussed here and was recently in JP magazine. Every reference I have ever heard to this mod has been a good one. It can all be done on junkyard parts and stock Ford replacements.

You have a number of options with the AMC motor. I ran a stock points style distributor until I started upgrading my motor. First I swapped the points for a Pertronix Ignitor II. It was a quick boltin that eliminates the points. I then added an MSD 6AL. This is a great setup, but a bit $$$. You can get a "ready to run" distributor from MSD or a probillet that needs an additional ignition box like the 6AL. The HEI setups previously mentioned are also good choices.
Dollar for dollar though, the best bang for the buck is the Ford TFI mod found here: TFI Mod (http://www.ifsja.org/tech/electrical/ignitionupgrade.shtml) . It was recently discussed here and was recently in JP magazine. Every reference I have ever heard to this mod has been a good one. It can all be done on junkyard parts and stock Ford replacements.

He beat me to it.

If you want to go the cheapest possible then the Ford TFI would be your best bet.

If you occasionally poke your head under the hood to show friends, then the MSD Pro-Billet is the way to go. It incorporates all the features of a superior distributor, plus it looks nice. If you go this route then the MSD 6AL will plug directly into it for a very clean install. Hook up a TFI coil and your set with the best ignition system you could possibly get. Now all you need is sharks with lazers on their heads.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/JesterTac/Ass-Overview.jpg

ok so i should go out get a stock distributor and mod it to tfi rather than getting a gm one and running hei. If i was to go the gm route what would i run.

I have an accel coil already by the way along with the 8mm accel wires. I kind of want to use the coil since i spent money on it.

ok so i got a motorcraft distributor for a 79 and it doesnt fit it gets hung up on the collar just over half way in do yall have any tips on that. Also what should i gap the plugs to see as the distance between the rotor and cap changed i did not know if the gap would increase in the plugs as well. I know stock is .35

The reason why the distributor won't go in is spline engagement. Try twisting/turning the rotor slightly and gently to get it to sink in. Mine does it too.

Unless you upgraded your coil then leave the plugs gapped normally. If you have more voltage running down the wires then you can open up your gap to around .045-.060. .060 will probably make it start to miss under load.

The reason for the larger cap is to prevent cross firing of the electrodes. Nicer wires will help spark as well.

I'd bet that the engagement of the oil slot for the oil pump being the reason it won't go all the way in.