The car is a driver 1975 Cordoba. The engine is the stock 400 4bbl, and will remain stock. Just looking for the best reliable ignition system using the stock distributor. The parts store replacement box on the car when I bought it, is junk. Combo's I have been considering:
MP orange box with MSD blaster coil
FBO box and coil
Pertronix ignitor and coil

What has worked for you on a stock engine?
Thanks
Dave

4 terminal (dual) ballast/5 pin OE system I'm assuming. I'd get a parts house replacement 4 pin ECU & another one for a spare & you'll be fine for your app. My dd 318 starts instantly in warm weather & within a split second in cold weather (Eddie 1406 600) with that setup. With the "dual" ballast & a 4 pin ECU or the replacement 5 pin ones & the 5th pin is a dummy you can add another loop of wire across the ballast on the other end so there is a loop like the OE blue loop of wire on the upstream end to make the ballast a parallel circuit for a hotter spark. As you know (ign) power & reliability are inversely proportional (to some extent) so always carry a spare (ECU/coil/ballast). EDIT I reread your post & I would just get another ECU (plus a spare). The last 2 choices you mentioned would be pricey & in a stock app you would not see a gain from them & the first choice I absolutely would not purchase an orange box. If you dont mind me sayin just k.i.s.s. as you just had a normal part failure & another one will be the fastest/cheapest solution

i'll agree with Robert on this. it sounds like just a normal failure and if you're not looking to spend big $ just go with the parts store replacement. if you're looking for a little more ignition bang why not try the new Rev-n-ator box and an MSD Blaster2 (or the new e-coil they make).

I forgot to say that I have several "older" MP orange box's (not the China ones).

I'm thinking orange box with the blaster coil (and ballast) and Pertronix 7mm wires.

If you have an older Orange box,run it and a Blaster 2. The old Orange box runs as good as the new Chrome box on the dyno. I have two old orange boxes that are at least 20 years old and still work. They pull dwell under a high load but it doesn't sound like thats a concern for you.
Keith

Look up Skip White Perf in Tenn...brand new dist billet style better shaft and bearings and is hei all self contained with 2 wire hook-up...eliminates brain box and ballast resistor and wires,better start-ups and smoother running and perf and cheap less thab 60 bucs to your door..best money I ever spent and got rid of the old antique chyrsler junk,would also recommend up grading the coil also,have done this several times and you wont be dissapointed,and the hei style wires are optional can be gotten with Mopar wires also[different cap]oreiilys rebuilt stock units are 65-75 buck exchange for dist and only about 1 in 6 may work and the new brainboxes are hit and miss..I will never run stock junk ever again..and they come with adj vac adv or with out,they look and perf good..chk them out,think smablk ones are even cheaper..

Thanks guys. I have decided to go with the Orange box with MSD Blaster coil and Pertronix wires. I will likely paint the orange box and coil black to look more stock. Unfortunately, I won't be able to test it until next spring!