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Author Topic: Duraspark conversion  (Read 2373 times)

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Offline 1974pintowagon!

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Duraspark conversion
« on: June 12, 2017, 07:36:08 PM »
I'm trying to figure out how to convert my 74 from points to the duraspark from a 76 pinto. What do I need beside the distributor and control module? Has anyone here done this? How do I need to worried it up? Do I need to run a ballast resistor? Any help would be appreciated. My pinto is out of commission until I figure this out. My points distributor fell apart  :(

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Duraspark conversion
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2017, 10:46:02 AM »
Try   http://www.powerbyace.com   Ford tech
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: Duraspark conversion
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2017, 09:41:06 PM »
Have you considered a pertronix system. The module fits in where the points go and you can use your stock coil, etc..

I have one in my 73 2.0 and it works like a champ.
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline pinto_one

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Re: Duraspark conversion
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2017, 06:29:06 PM »
It's not hard to convert yours to electronic ign , go find a 84 to 88 Ford ranger with the 2.0 (de bored 2.3) and grab the distributor, coil , wires , and control box . The wiring is simple , almost plug and play and cheep , have a wiring diagram if you need it , the harnesses in the photo is a complete ign for a pinto , the upper left u shaped part snaps on the coil , the upper right plug , plugs into the distributor, the lower left plug plugs into the ign box , the box has two wires out of it , one goes to the ign switch the other goes to the starter solonid, (resistor bypass ) the red wire one on the coil also goes the the ign switch , all that is needed
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline 1974pintowagon!

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Re: Duraspark conversion
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2017, 07:09:08 AM »
Thanks for all of the replys. I ended up getting a new 75 pinto distributor and wired it all up with an MSD street fire ignition box I had. I also installed a new reman carburetor and got it running. Now another problem occurred. I'm getting really bad fuel consumption and the car is running hot and boiling over. Idles and starts fine. Any ideas what might be happening?

Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: Duraspark conversion
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2017, 10:06:57 AM »
If it started after the ignition swap, then it's probably ignition-related.


You could also do a dirt simple setup using a four-pin GM HEI module. It uses the same type of variable reluctance signal and has built-in dwell control.

http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/ignition-articles/492810-tricky-trick-hei-module-inside-duraspark-case.html

Look for the simple hand-drawn MS Paint diagram. That's the layout I used fro my '68 Mustang. It's an '85 Mustang GT Duraspark distributor and a Wells D100 DR100 module. I think the whole setup cost < $60 with new parts back in 2005.
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Duraspark conversion
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2017, 11:42:54 AM »
Retarded ignition timing can cause a car to run hot and decrease mileage (and power). Did you reset the timing when the distributor was replaced?  Also, is the vacuum advance hooked up properly? Lastly the rebuilt carburetor might have been done so improperly.  I'd check the timing and the vacuum advance (especially for function and hooked up to the proper port). That is straight forward and simple. If they are OK I'd look to the carburetor after that.

Offline 1974pintowagon!

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Re: Duraspark conversion
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2017, 05:12:32 PM »
Ok I'll have to go back and recheck the timing and vacuum advance. I have to wait a couple days before I can check it out. I post a new message when I get to it and see what I find.