Duraspark Conversion
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- 68rookie
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Duraspark Conversion
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Postby 68rookie »
Thinking about converting over. Question is, does it matter from what vehicle I get the setup from or can I just scavenge one off of any vehicle that has this setup?
My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am!
1968 F-100 Longbed 390/C6
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- tsherry
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- Location: Washington, Spokane
Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby tsherry »
I haven't done one on a Bump, but have done two Falcons, one with a 240-6 (van) and a sedan with a 200-6. The donors, respectively, were a 300-6 (late 70's Ford Van, Duraspark 2) and a Fairmont, also with a 200-6. I just decided it'd be less taxing mentally to try to find more-or-less matching engine families. I did put a Pertronix in my '67 F-250, which now has a 390. Money well spent--all of the electronic conversions I've done have been fantastic. (Even did my Ford 8N).
too many Fords, no where near 'nuff time.
or, money.
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- 68rookie
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Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby 68rookie »
I appreciate your input, I've considered just doing the Pertronix but have read mixed reviews so just a little hesitant.
My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am!
1968 F-100 Longbed 390/C6
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sargentrs
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Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby sargentrs »
You can use any of the ignition boxes (w/ blue grommet) and wiring harnesses from any mid/late 70s car/truck/van but your choices will be limited in finding a 390 distributor. The 390 was phased out around '76 but was still used in U-Haul trucks up until '78. Fortunately you can still get 390 Duraspark distributors aftermarket. I'll take a Duraspark over a Pertronix every time. I replaced 2 Pertronix units in my '64 Fairlane in a 3 month period. Never again!
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
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- davelj
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Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby davelj »
You can convert the 390 distributor to Duraspark using components from a 302 distributor.Remove the reluctor, pickup plate, and upper shaft and transfer them over. It is a bolt-in except that you will need to cut the hole where the points wire goes through the housing into a slot for the wires for the pickup. Even the vacuum advance hooks right up.
You can keep the small diameter cap, rotor and wires if they are in good shape. If they are questionable and you want the larger setup, then use the cap adapter, large cap, and rotor and pop them in place. It all swaps.
If you swap to the large cap, you will need a new set of wires to match the different style posts.
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sargentrs
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Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby sargentrs »
Thanks for that tip, dave!
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
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- jamesdfo
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- Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby jamesdfo »
The last year (or two) of FE's in Ford trucks came with Duraspark, so if you can find one in a yard, your golden, if not, you should be able to get a distributor from a parts store.......
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My427stang
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- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby My427stang »
PM me if you'd like.
I have a decent one with two new boxes, and a mild recurve in it, can even label the wires on how to connect. I don't think I will reuse it, I just swapped my FE over to Edelbrock Pro-flo 4 EFI
I also have a bolt on Pertronix Flamethrower that a customer didn't use, I can likely flip cheap
71 F-100 SB 4x4, 461 FE, Edelbrock Pro-flo 4, 4 speed, 4 inch softride lift, all poly bushings, integral PS, most mods installed since the 80's
70 Mustang Sportsroof 489 FE, EFI, TKO-600 5 speed, 4.11s
Engine building by-appointment only--30+ years, specializing in strong street pump gas FEs
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- 68rookie
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Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby 68rookie »
Sorry, I haven't been on in awhile but I do appreciate your response and offer. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I think I'm gonna do a rebuild.
My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am!
1968 F-100 Longbed 390/C6
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basketcase0302
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Re: Duraspark Conversion
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Postby basketcase0302 »
Another vote for Petronix, (from someone who ran Duraspark for over 20 years).
Why? Because when the Duraspark ignition box fries and your on the side of the road you'll be glad you did!
Finding a replacement Duraspark box at 2 AM might prove tough.
But...yanking the Petronix module out and throwing the points back into the dizzy on the side of the road, (the set of points you carry in the glove box) will get you down the road in 15 minutes of work.
Jeff
SOLD-71 F-350 dually flatbed, 302 / .030 over V-8 with a "baby"C-6, B & M truckshifter, Dana70/4.11 ratio, intermittent wipers, tilt steering, full LED lighting on the flat bed, and no stereo yet (this way I can hear the rattles to diagnose)! SOLD!
Many Ford bumps / one 76' EB / and several dents through the years.
A lot of "oddball" Ford parts collected from working on them for 34 years now!
2008 Ford Escape 4 x 4
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