I'M BUILDING A SANDRAIL AND AM VERY PARTIAL TO FORDS,I FOUND A 76 PINTO 2.3 AT A SALVAGE YARD I BELIEVE IT HAS THE DURASPARK DIST. BUT HAVE HEARD THAT THE TFI IS BETTER ANY THOUGHTS ?
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but, my TFI relies on my computer to work and advance the timing, I don't think they work without the computer.
as far as the 2.3 goes, yes that is correct: TFI is only on electronic contolled cars (efi) and the timing is adjusted by the computer and NOT by the vacuum advance.
There are a few engines that use the TFI/EFI and vacuum advance (mid-80s escort comes to mind) but none of it is compatable with the 2.3.
Besides, you would be much better off running a hybrid using a duraspark distributor with a chevy/GM module and ignition coil than the TFI. unless the TFI is mounted somewhere other than the distributor, they can overheat and kill your ignition at the worst of times. Ford actualy had a lawsuit against them for this reason.
-Harry
Better is a relative term, it depends on your application and what modifications are made to the engine (if any), as to what will turn out to be best for you.
The DuraSpark ignition system may be fine for you, or it may not, but since it's already there and you KNOW that it is compatible with the engine, it would probably make sense for you to use that one to begin with, to get a baseline for the ignition aspect of engine performance before you try changing to anything else. If you don't know what you had to start with, you won't know if you've accomplished anything at all by making a change, (other than expending your time, effort, and money).
Alternative idea:
For a completely offroad application like this one, and you're looking to make it as self contained and reliable as possible, you could do a backwards conversion, using a drop in aftermarket type distributor with it's own ignition system such as the Petronics electronic ignition module distributor that was intended as an upgrade for some of the earlier cars to eliminate the points. This is a self contained unit that only needs a good coil (which could be mounted anywhere) for power.
I just checked the J.C. Whitney catalog, and although there is one listed for the 1971-1974 Ford 4 cylinder engine (that may only work with the 2.0L engine), I don't know if they have one that will work without modification with the 2.3L.
An then there is always a magneto.....
I've ran the Chrysler box a couple of times, once on my '78 Toyota Corona (replaced the faulty 300.00 unit with a 30.00 Chrysler box) and I ran the Mazda magnetic pickup dist on my n/a 2.3 with a Chrysler box, Never had a problem with either. The only confusion is the polarity of the wires from the pickup coil, which you had a 50/50 chance of hooking up correctly.
Quote from: bigh4th on June 22, 2006, 01:11:33 AM
Besides, you would be much better off running a hybrid using a duraspark distributor with a chevy/GM module and ignition coil than the TFI. -Harry
Harry I have been wondering about this for a while. Are you talking about replacing the pickup unit in the dist. with a gm one? I was wondering if this would work, they have some cool stuff in the mercruiser books for 4.3 v-6 dist. I wanted to get one and remachine my dis to accept it, but i wasnt sure if it would work.
THANKS FOR RESPONDING LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE HERE ! LOOKS LIKE I'M GONNA STICK WITH DURASPARK,ALL I HAVE IS ENGINE NO MODULE ,COIL ETC. IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY IN ADDITION I NEED A BALLAST RESISTOR (MALLORY 700 ?) MAYBE THIS IS A DUMB QUESTION BUT IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A COIL W/BALLAST BUILT IN ? OR SHOULD I USE OTHER THAN STOCK COIL. ALSO FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THE DIFF BETWEEN DURASPARK 1 AND 2 IS THE 1 MODULE SENSES WHEN THE DIS IS'NT TURNING AND SHUTS OFF POWER TO COIL AND THE 2 MODULE DOES NOT. I'M NOT QUITE UP TO SPEED WITH THIS GROMMET COLOR THING ON MODULES, MY ENGINE IS FROM A 76.
dirt track,
to use the GM HEI module basicly takes the place of the dura-spark module or "brain" if you will. Everything in the distributor remains the same as the duraspark, but you just hook it up to the little GM module that fits under the distributor cap.
The advantages are a hotter spark than stock and that it takes up much less room (bout 2 inch by 1 inch) than the duraspark box.
THe only drawback is you have to mount the HEI module on a heat sink.
-Harry
HARRY THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION, FOUND LOTS OF INFO ON DURASPARK WITH GM MODULE I LIKE THE IDEA OF SMALL AND COMPACT AS WELL AS NOT NEEDING BALLAST RESISTOR . LOOKS LIKE I'LL HAVE TO NAME MY SANDRAIL HEINZ 57 LETS SEE FORD MOTOR ,VW TRANS, GM MODULE WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE WE MAY DO.
THANKS TIM
you can use a MSD ignitrion (6T) i use them on my esslinger power midgets the pickup is on the front of the crank esslinger has all the parts you will need
Yeah but different tracks have different rules. i aint allowed to use anything, unless i can make it not be found.
Droopy: as far as grommet colors for the durasparks, the one w/ blue grommet is standard equipment, the one w/ white grommet is for california emissions vehicles.