Hey gang quick question. I'm trying to get my friends Golden Eagle up and running so we can get it to the shop to install the cage. It has a 304 if that matters. It appears that the ignition module is shot and I was going to pick a new one up but noticed that there are two different ignition systems offered for the 77 model year. The Prestolite and Motorcraft systems. What would be the way to tell them apart? I'm not at the CJ right now so I can't take a look around. Let me know what to look for! Thanks guys!

Matt,
The prestolite was used on the '77 and older. From there, they went with MC. the easiest way to tell what is there is by looking at the dizzy. the Prestolite dizzy is way different then your usual dizzy...You'll know right away when you see it.
http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo339/lake_75/401swap_001.jpg
If you look closely, you can see the white "nodes" on the front of the Dizzy...this is a 1977 401 with prestolight ignition just before i swapped it over to a motorcraft system

Thank you for that pic and info! Well he picked up a new module but then found out it was a bad coil. Replaced that and still nothing. We know it's getting fuel and air so now we are chasing down the spark issue. Any ideas on what to look for?

Was it the motorcraft ignition (silver box)? They are notorious for failure, even new ones. Apparently they were an improvement over the prestolite so i can't even imagine to imagine how poorly they worked.

I fought with motorcraft ignition for about 12 years, even did the HEI/TFI upgrade but in the end i got one of the new GM style distributors for AMC, module and coil are on the distributor. Works better and you get rid or a ton of wiring.

I'm Matt's friend with the 77 Golden Eagle.

That is definately the same distrubutor that I have. Like Matt said, we noticed the module was clicking when the key was turned and noticed that we were getting power to the coil, but nothing from the coil.

Ran down and got a brand new one, but still nothing. The 304 will crank all day long, gets plenty of fuel/air, but still no spark.

I've been thinking of doing the HEI swap, but for now I just want to get it running so it's easier to maneuver around.

It ran back in July when I drove it to and from the PA Jeeps Show. After the show, I parked it at our shop and when I tried to start it a couple weeks ago ... this is what happened.

Any help (without swapping to the HEI yet) is greatly appreciated.

The HEI WILL come soon!

Thanks guys!!

I cant really speculate on what the problem might be at this point, but I have a brand new Ig module for the Prestolite if you need another one. I'll let you have it for shipping.

Hey, that works for me! Never hurts to have a spare.

Let me know how you want to do this and we'll go from there.

Thanks!