V-8 JEEP IGNITION UPGRADES, 1978 To 1990

The Jeep 304 & 360 CID AMC V-8 from 1978 to 1990 are eligible for this upgrade.
The 304 & 360 CID Engines from '78 to '90 used the same Motorcraft distributor for all variations.

AMC used this same Motorcraft ignition in all of it's products in 1978 & 1979, so this upgrade will work on all AMC products from those years.


There are three upgrades listed below, so make sure you read the entire upgrade sheet before making up your mind.

1. BASIC UPGRADE.(Click Here)

  • No modification required to any 'Hard' parts.
  • No cutting of any wiring harness.
  • Makes sure the spark energy gets where it's supposed to go.
  • Helps cold starting & smooths out idle.
  • Will also increase fuel milage and drivability.
  • No options and has to be done all at once.

    2. MILD PERFORMANCE UPGRADE.(Click Here)
  • This upgrade can be done after the basic upgrade, and can be done in two steps.
  • Only a small amount of modification required.
  • This upgrade builds on the BASIC UPGRADE for faster response times, better starting, and much higher spark energies.

    3. EXTREME PERFORMANCE UPGRADE.(Click Here)
  • This upgrade is primarily for serious performance enthusiasts.
  • A fair amount of modification required.
  • This is an upgrade that should only be done after the first and second upgrades have been done.

    1. BASIC UPGRADE;
    USE THIS UPGRADE ONLY IF YOU INTEND TO USE YOUR STOCK COIL AND WIRING HARNESS WITH NO MODIFICATIONS.
    --------------------------------
    WHAT GETS REPLACED.
    Stock Parts To Replace: (stock jeep components)
    Distributor Cap, Rotor, Plug Wires.
    --------------------------------
    What To Use For Replacement:
    FROM: From A 1979 Ford F-350 Truck With A 460 CID Engine.
    Distributor Cap Base,
    Distributor Cap,
    Rotor,
     Spark Plug Wires,

    Make sure you don't forget the basics, and get a good quality distributor cap & rotor with brass terminals or you are just wasting time and money with this upgrade.

    THIS BASIC UPGRADE REQUIRES NO MODIFICATION OR FABRICATION OF ANY 'HARD' PARTS. IT IS ALL DIRECT REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING PARTS.


    2A. MILD PERFORMANCE UPGRADE.
    These up grades are designed to enhance the already formidable Motorcraft ignition system.
    This upgrade will surpass the GM HEI system by about 1-1/2 times (Usable Spark Energy)...
    (YES! That's correct, the Motorcraft E-core Ignition Coil stomps the snot out of the GM HEI!)
    --------------------------------

    WHAT GETS REPLACED.
    Stock Parts To Replace: (stock jeep components)
    Distributor Cap, Rotor, Plug Wires, Ignition Coil, Distributor Advance Springs.
    --------------------------------

    What To Use For Replacement:
    FROM: From A 1992 Ford F-350 Truck With A 460 CID Engine (With ECC).

    Distributor Cap Base, '79 Ford F-150 With V-8.
    Distributor Cap, '79 Ford F-150 With V-8.
    Rotor, '79 Ford F-150 With V-8.
     Spark Plug Wires, '92 Ford F-350 With 460 cid V-8
    Ignition Coil, '92 Ford F-350 With V-8.

    Make sure you don't forget the basics, and get a good quality distributor cap & rotor with brass terminals or you are just wasting time and money with this upgrade.

    If you ask for the components from an engine WITH ECC (Electronic Combustion Control) you will get the square E-Core Ignition Coil, and the plug wire set with the correct coil wire.

    You will have to remove (cut) the stock coil connector from the wiring harness in order to connect the E-Core Ignition Coil.

    You will also have to fabricate a coil bracket, or locate a stock application coil bracket that will work with your vehicle.

    The E-core Ignition Coil will work with ALL of the DuraSpark modules. It's an odd looking thing, but can be mounted in any orientation (even up side down).
    The E-Core Ignition Coil uses a full 12 volts, and can be used with or without a 'ballast' resistor.
    The coil from a '92 Ford F-350 Truck with a V-8 engine (With-EEC).
    The coil runs about $15 to $45 in discount stores.

    THIS COIL REQUIRES A DIFFERENT COIL WIRE THAN THE OLD TYPE 'CAN' COIL, SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT COIL WIRE BEFORE LEAVING THE STORE.


    2B. Distributor Centrifugal Advance Springs;
    FROM: Aftermarket Supplier. Mr. Gasket P/N 925D (Around $4.00)
    These springs DO NOT have to be installed when the upgrade is done. It is just a way to get a little more 'zip' out of your engine.

    This upgrade will bring your Jeep ignition system into the mainstream 80's technology.

    3. EXTREME PERFORMANCE UPGRADE;
    Once the cap, rotor, plug wires and ignition coil have been upgraded, then you can use some racing technology in the form of.....

    The next HUGE jump in ignition performance is the CAPACITIVE Discharge Ignition (CDI) .

    All factory ignitions, and most aftermarket ignitions supposed to be upgrades for the Jeep are still INDUCTIVE discharge ignitions (IDI), including the extremely expensive and temperamental aftermarket ignitions that require you to buy their distributor.

    Multiple Spark Discharge (A module upgrade, from Inductive to CDI) gives vastly superior ignition energy on all counts.
    Spark Duration, Spark Voltage, and Spark Amperage are all increased to the point were misfires are unheard of.
    The MSD Capacitive discharge module driven ignition will out preform the Inductive ignitions in all areas, from 100 to 1,000%.
    MSD is the biggest bang for your bucks.

    The MSD 6 series units are the workhorse of the MSD product line, and there are several different versions of the 6 series unit available, depending on your intended application.
    The MSD 6A is a full CDI unit that is more than capable of operating above 15,000 RPM with your stock coil.
    There are Weather sealed Off-Road units, and Marine units for deep water fording operations.

    The MSD 6 series units are compatible with all Motorcraft distributors and ignition coils.
    The most common, MSD 6 series, units are 50 State Emissions legal!

    Use Wiring Adaptor P/N 8869 to connect the Motorcraft distributor connector to the MSD 6A and 6AL harness. (Around $10.)
    This wiring pigtail keeps you from having to cut into the distributor wiring or the MSD wiring, and it keeps the distributor pick up coil polarity correct.

    There is one for the marine and off road units with the Weather Pack connector, but the part number evades me right now.
    If you have a later model Jeep with a 'computer', there are harnesses that will allow you to use MSD and keep your computer functioning.
    By doing just that, you stay 50 State Emissions legal with the later model Jeeps.

    You can browse the MSD website at, MSD Ignition.
    You can contact MSD by phone at, MSD Tech. 1-915-855-7123

    If You Want To Learn More About The MSD Module At This Web Site, Click Here.

    MSD hardware can be purchased at Summit Racing.
    Summit Racing Equipment phone number, 1-800-230-3030.


    All content and web site screw-ups are entirely mine!