90mustangLX

Ok so a buddy of mine has a Jacobs energy pak ignition box he said he would sell me. Was wondering if anyone had any experience with them or ever heard of them. I've only ever seen one on a mustang but it was the street fire box.

Here's a pic of what he sent me

90mustangLX

No one has ever heard or used one before?

delz05

Back in the late 80's, I had a complete Jacobs ignition system in my 66 Fastback w/289 4bbl set up. Worked great, simple install, eliminated the points, never had an issue with spark failure. Do an internet search. more info out there, I am sure.

90mustangLX

I've searched around and most people start out talking about the Jacobs ignition box but then quickly morph into the crane box etc etc. only read 1 or 2 posts stating have ran one for so many ought years with no issues, couple said they had issues and also read customer support was near non-existent do I was just checking to see if anyone had ran one on their mustang.

90mustangLX

Wrnt ahead and got it off my buddy to test it out. Hook up is pretty straight forward but it has a weird startup, if you turn the key to start it it will just crank and crank and crank but once you crank it over a few times and let go of the key the car will fire right up. I even unhooked it and out it back the way it was and it fired right up like normal.

Can't really find any info about it.

skunk21

just wondering why you want it? the stock system is one of the most reliable out there. just curious is all.

90mustangLX

He only wants $30 bucks for it, figured $30 bucks isn't too bad but I might not buy it if I can't figure out why it has that weird startup, seems to idle an rev up no problem but starting it is just odd. Also the exhaust smells different with that hooked up, not as fumy I think

onebadvert

sounds to me like its throwing your timing way off.

onebadvert

i run a full msd and i think it made great improvements. not neccesarily power, but starting, throttle response etc etc. oh yeah and it looks bad @ss to.

90mustangLX

Think it's advancing my timing? I guess that would make sense but when it does fire up it idles and revs just fine. Guess I need to drop my timing down some. I have it set at 14, maybe back it down to 12 and try it then back to stock if that doesn't help.

skunk21

yeah they "look" cool. on stock/mild motors it can improve idle qaulity, mpg, etc but it really shines on boosted/high hp motors. IMO if it aint broke don't fix it, stock system is good for an easy 400hp N/A with some room for gapping. just my opinion, hell for 30 bucks I might have even tried it myself but I won't spend the full money on a box until it is needed.

90mustangLX

Yeah, I'm thinking of telling him I don't want it just because of the weird startup. Put it back the way it was and it will fire up no problem. It did smell like it was getting a cleaner burn but I don't like how it starts with it.

onebadvert

haha. thats actually the reason i purchased my setup. my ignition box is the btm with timing retard. i had a wieand 174 planned for mine. so i bought a big fuel pump and the btm etc. then i fell a bit short on cash and decided to upgrade the h/c/i.