School me on pointless distributors!

[Darrman]

Ok, I am used to working on injected models with coil packs, so I am pretty new to distributors.
I have a distributor now, that did work before I pulled the truck apart. It is a pointless one, with a control module mounted to the inner fender. Looking at pictures of others, it looks like the duraspark setup.
However, it is in pretty sad shape, the wires are a mess, barely together in some spots, missing insulation everywhere.
I am wondering what I should do, can I convert to a pertronix II with the existing distributor? Why do I not see a control module with the pertronix kits?
I picked up a new ignition coil, a mild performance job, Accel # 8140.
What is the little thing mounted on the same bracket as the coil, looks like a double a battery with one wire coming out? I have seen another somewhere, and my Explorer has one mounted next to the alternator. The reason I am asking is the one by the coil has had the wire cut.
Thanks for any help!

[jengle]

I would put a pertronix unit in there and forget it. The pertronix does not need an external ignition box. I have use my pertronix for 10 years in two cars and about 75k miles.

Your other option is to go to the pick and pull and get a duraspark module and box from another 70's car/truck. I don't think that it matters whether it's an FE or not as long as it's a V8.

[fmartin_gila1]

What you are referring to as a battery with one wire out of it is probably a condenser. Used to help with radio noise, not always needed. It was probably shorted out, the reason the wire was cut.
Fred

[Thunderfoot]

I like using the Duraspark Distributor with an MSD box to replace the stock type control module on the fender. Better Hotter Spark.

[cdeal28078]

I like the Duraspark distributer while using an HEI module mounted out of site.
My idle picked up a couple hundred rpm just by added the HEI module.
The module supposedly can be run with or without a resister wire so you can just run it straight off of 12v so it's easy to hook up.
I like MSD products and used to run their complete system when I had the 351w in my truck but I like the fact I can buy repair parts anywhere in the country if I have a failure and not have to order parts and wait on them to get here.
clint

[craftsman]

If you go with pertronix you will need a point type distributor, and if you go to a junk yard for a distributor make sure it is for the engine you have, 302, fe 351w, ect.

[Darrman]

Thanks, I started cleaning the distributor up today, nasty as hell, and am going to go over all the wiring to see what can be salvaged.