Discovered a Duraspark 2 ignition system planted in a 1971 FE 360 today at a car/truck show. This engine was OE with points distributor.

What year application of the Duraspark 2 distributor will fit the FE 360/390?

 

They're all interchangeable

 

"76" will have the small DSI cap for more of a stock look. "77" has the larger DSII cap. Either one works with the blue wire strain relief control module (advised).

 

Some research indictes,
Duraspark distributors, 74-76 FE 360/390 engines are identical
The ignition modules for 74-76 are all different, indicated by the color of the plastic tab.
76 is the Duraspark II with blue colored tab.

Disbributors for 1977 5.8M, 6.6 & 7.5 engines are identical, but different than the 74-76 FE 360/390 distributors according to the AZ data base. These 1977 distributors incorporate the larger diameter cap and terminals for the larger 8.5mm wires.

The distributor for the 1977, 5.0, is different than the 1977, 5.8m, 6.6 & 7.5 and 74-76 FE 360/390.

Believe the solution is to obtain a 74-76 FE 360/390 distributor.
Use the distributor adapter for V8 from 1977 to 1991. The adapter is fastened to the distributor case using the distribution spring clips.

 

Bear in mind the later ignition used a different coil, and (I think) no resistor wire.

Some time ago, a member here swapped the breaker plates from a 302 distributor into his FE distributor. I thought that was pretty inventive on his part.

 

COLF-12250-A .. Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil-Color coded Pink = 1960/72.

D1AZ-12250-A .. Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil Color-coded Red with Green Stripes = 1971/76.

D7AZ-12250-A .. Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil-color coded Red = 1977/89.

DuraSpark introduced in 1974, but not all vehicles came with it until 1976.

The module used in 1974 is 1974 only / The module used in 1975 is 1975 only.

DuraSpark II blue module introduced in 1976, used well into the 1990's.

1959/75: The point breaker plates are the same for all V8's. 1959/71's were originally 2 pieces (upper & lower), Ford replaced the 2 piece plates in 1972 w/a one piece plate.

 

The conversion from points to Duraspark 2 is on a 1973 FE 390.

Found a Duraspark magnetic reluctor distributor from a 1976 FE 360/390. The 1976 has a blue colored tab module, Duraspark 2.

Believe the 1975 uses a green colored tab and the 1974 uses a black colored tab based on the AZ data base and identifying the color from the part graphic.
Do not have access to Ford parts data base.

The blue colored module was used from 1976 to early 1985, split year, Duraspark 2 with a higher voltage output than Duraspark 1.

The Duraspark 2 wiring diagraph shows a resistor in the run mode, no resistor in start mode, similiar to points ignition.

The specs show a range of voltage to the coil , something like 6-8 volts.
The voltage at the positive coil terminal (red wire) can be measured by jumping the black ground wire from distributor plug and the green wire from the negative coil terminal with the ignition switch in run mode.
The ground resistance also must be factored into the equation.

Like to know the resistor ohms spec for the Duraspark 2.
"D7AZ-12250-A .. Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil-color coded Red = 1977/89".
and
"D1AZ-12250-A .. Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil Color-coded Red with Green Stripes = 1971/76".

1976 on FE 360/390 was Duraspark 2
and
1977 on V8 351M,400, 460 was Duraspark 2

Based on "Numberdummy" have different resistor part numbers, but maybe equal resistance.

Found a 1976 F250 with FE360 with points distributor...maybe not OE, but retrofitted from stock Duraspark 2.

 

Installed Dura ll in 65 w/ 65 390 and purchased components at local Napa auto parts. Selected a 76 Dura as the example when replacing tune up components, can't recall which vehicle I selected for the example. Same w/ the 65 with 289/302, purchase replacement tune-up parts using 76 Mustang w/ the Dura ll. Took the points dizzy in for core exchange, for those w/ roller cam understand the dizzy drive gear is different?? Perhaps more knowledgeable member can advise?? Used the 'pink' resistance wire that's in the 65 F100. Seem to recall the Dura ll module, rotor, dura ll coil, and the dizzy came to approx. $110, this was several yrs ago, possible kept receipt. I was fortunate and was able to salvage the harness but they are available new. Not clear about the issue of cross fire so I purchased the adapter for the larger distributor cap, may want to price out the cap before deciding they can be expensive, around $25.

 

49" long / 1.30-1.40 ohms resistance / #16 gauge wire.

 

Numberdumy
Makes sense that resistance for 71/76 = 77/89.

Found distributor adapter today on a March 1987 build date F150 V8 with distributor adapter that uses two screws to fasten to distributor case, rather than the spring clip hold down type required for the FE 360/390 Dura distributor.

Would like to explore any difference at idle between points ignition with .035" gap and Dura 2 ignition with .045" gap.

 

I don't mean to hijack this thread but seeing that this is ICM related, I'm still running the ICM I used with my 351m on the 390 I've swapped in. My box has the blue grommet. I didn't know if this affected anything. It runs good. My distributor is a reman. Motorcraft for a 390 and that is about all I know. I apologize for my ignorance.

 

Believe all the Duraspark 2 blue ignition modules are the same
1976 was the only year where the blue module was stock for FE 360/390.

Believe the blue ignition module was used up to and including 1987 on the 5.8W
However, the last year for the blue box on the 5.0 was 1985, which was a split year between carburetor and EFI.

 

Should be good to go. You *may* need to modify the advance inside the dist, if you are having any timing related issues. Plenty of threads in this section to document the mods that work best with the FE engine.
But the box itself will work fine for almost any engine, regardless of number of cyls, or displacement.

Yes, 87 5.8L 4V and 7.5L 4V engines still used that same blue grommet module that came into existance for the 76 models.

There were a few other modules along the way, but the blue one was by far the most common, and is generally the one most reccommended for doing a DS2 ignition conversion whether from points or newer TFI ignition systems.

 

Alright thanks, I was just wondering. It seems like the timing is good. I get a weird flutter at just off idle low speed cruising. I think it may be vacuum advance or vacuum leak related. It pulls through the gears great and runs good at highway speed. Just thought I'd check about the ignition box.

 

1U2Z-12A199-AA (replaced D6AZ-12A199-A & B - D8VZ-12A199-A - D9VZ-12A199-A) .. Ignition Module-Blue (Motorcraft DY-893) / Available from Ford.

Applications: 1976/79 F100/350, Bronco, Econoline & Misc Passenger Cars

D9VZ-12A199-A: 1980/89 F100/350, Econoline, Bronco & Ranger applications: