Duraspark II Conversion - How To
New User
Joined: Jan 2010
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More Info
Wanting to convert to DSII and I have read through the miles of threads. I still have a couple of questions I am curious about. I assume this dizzy is vacuum primary and mechanical secondary advance. If so, what does the control box actually do. It was said timing was reduced at start but don't understand how. Second, does anyone know what the total secondary advance is, and is there recurve kits available for this dizzy?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 134
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From: Texas
Wanting to convert to DSII and I have read through the miles of threads. I still have a couple of questions I am curious about. I assume this dizzy is vacuum primary and mechanical secondary advance. If so, what does the control box actually do. It was said timing was reduced at start but don't understand how. Second, does anyone know what the total secondary advance is, and is there recurve kits available for this dizzy?
I used the GM 350 4 pin module from a 1980 corvette. I personally hate the big box under the hood so I custom made the heat sync and mounted it to the firewall.
What it does for you is instead of going with a computer controlled carburetor with a ton of sensors like the MAP and O2. You can either go for a point based system requiring constant adjustment, point failure and a ballast resistor "quiver" to reduce the 12v to ~9 and using an oil cooled coil that has a tendency to leak and fail. Or you get to use a solid state ignition module, tfi 12v coil for more ponys and a magnetic dsII dizzy that never fails.
All that and you don't need a computer the system it just needs 12v to the module which powers the coil. Rock solid cheap ignition that never fails just like the i6 itself.
Go for a cam, carb, intake and exhaust first and if you think you still need to recurve the dizzy then you can do it after I would say.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 134
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From: Texas
I'm so sorry bill I missed your question by a mile.
To answer I mounted it to the side wall just behind the washer fluid reservoir.
I posted a pic of it somewhere I'll see if i can find it for you.
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and
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To answer I mounted it to the side wall just behind the washer fluid reservoir.
I posted a pic of it somewhere I'll see if i can find it for you.
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[/IMG]and
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Last edited by ghostshark; Aug 18, 2014 at 11:29 PM. Reason: Adding a pic.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2014
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Hey buddy, i know this is a 4 year old post, but i got in WAAAY over my head on my 84 duraspark 2 swap. i gutted out all the emisson and wire harnesses for the TFI ignition and i have the module and coil. coil is installed with correct wire from dizzy. im stuck on the wire harness i need and where the plugs go in on the module and distributor... HELP PLEASE
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
Hey buddy, i know this is a 4 year old post, but i got in WAAAY over my head on my 84 duraspark 2 swap. i gutted out all the emisson and wire harnesses for the TFI ignition and i have the module and coil. coil is installed with correct wire from dizzy. im stuck on the wire harness i need and where the plugs go in on the module and distributor... HELP PLEASE
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 134
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From: Texas
A little help, if it helps.
Hey buddy, i know this is a 4 year old post, but i got in WAAAY over my head on my 84 duraspark 2 swap. i gutted out all the emisson and wire harnesses for the TFI ignition and i have the module and coil. coil is installed with correct wire from dizzy. im stuck on the wire harness i need and where the plugs go in on the module and distributor... HELP PLEASE
If you want to run that dirt cheap ignition mod here is the link of it. I hope it helps
Better Dirt Cheap Electronic Ignition
Good luck!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 134
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From: Texas
Air filter
Hey there Bill just a heads up on the air filter.
You can get that at ANY oreillys. Its actually meant for a lawn mower but they all have it in the back. If I find the part number Ill post it. But it is there and they all stock the filters too!
You can get that at ANY oreillys. Its actually meant for a lawn mower but they all have it in the back. If I find the part number Ill post it. But it is there and they all stock the filters too!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
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From: Boise, Idaho
Hey buddy, i know this is a 4 year old post, but i got in WAAAY over my head on my 84 duraspark 2 swap. i gutted out all the emisson and wire harnesses for the TFI ignition and i have the module and coil. coil is installed with correct wire from dizzy. im stuck on the wire harness i need and where the plugs go in on the module and distributor... HELP PLEASE
The wiring harness connects the plugs coming out of the firewall to the ignition module and distributor.
From my experience, you cannot connect these wrong. The plugs ONLY fit one connector and they're all keyed so that the correct plug can only go in the right place.
If it fits, plug it in. Keep going until all the plugs in the harness are in a connector.
Then, the longer wire goes around the back of the engine to the passenger side to the temperature sender, and the shorter wire goes to the oil pressure sender on the driver's side of the block.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 531
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I did the DS II swap on my 85 F150 w/4.9. It went very smooth. I bought a reman distributor at Auto Zone and pulled the ignition harness out of an 82' F150 at the local Pick N Pull. I got lucky and the truck had an OEM Ignition Module and Coil (Canister style for DS II). I of course also swapped the carb out for a non-feedback/mechanical one.
You just have to install the DS II Distributor (hook-up vacuum advance) and wiring harness connects to coil and ignition module (box) on fender. PM me w/any specific questions you might have or if you want pics.
You just have to install the DS II Distributor (hook-up vacuum advance) and wiring harness connects to coil and ignition module (box) on fender. PM me w/any specific questions you might have or if you want pics.