460 with HEI dizzy

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Jun 15, 2011 | 08:50 PM

greenwoodford

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From: Copperas Cove, TX

460 with HEI dizzy

I have an 88 F250 with a carbed 460 swap. The swap was done half-assed by a previous owner (used the efi dizzy with carb). I finally got it swapped out with an HEI dizzy and now I have a VERY weak spark. I have a power wire straight from the battery to the distributor, the plugs are good, and the wires are good. I have reset TDC on the #1 a couple of times now and I know I've got fuel through the carb to the engine. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks all.

Jun 16, 2011 | 08:31 AM

jas88

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From: Greater Austin, Texas

When you say "HEI" do you mean like from a GM? I think that is called a DUI on a Ford, which stands for "Davis Unified Ignition". Is that the distributor (I hate the term "dizzy") you are talking about?

Jun 16, 2011 | 08:40 AM

bluesmanmike5

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From: Norfolk

I run the DUI distibutor on my 351. It works good, but there modules don't last long. You can replace it with any standard HEI module, most are the old style 4-prong set-up. $15-20 @ most auto part stores. Mine went bad in under 12,000 miles. Ran good 1 day, then just went south. Really weak spark.

Jun 16, 2011 | 08:59 AM

greenwoodford

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From: Copperas Cove, TX

Yes that is the distributor I am referring to. Everything on the inside should be fine because it is brand new out of the box. The only thing I noticed that might be a problem was the spade terminal for the power wire was really loose inside the distributor.

Jun 17, 2011 | 08:01 AM

bluesmanmike5

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From: Norfolk

Just pull the coil cover off of it, and you will see the power wire. Just check it to make sure you are getting a good connection. Should be 3 small screws holding the cover on.

Jun 18, 2011 | 09:22 PM

greenwoodford

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From: Copperas Cove, TX

Well I still don't know what's going on. I checked all the connections inside the cover and they're all good. I took the distributor out and cleaned up the connection area on the intake manifold to make sure it was grounding well; I think I might need to clean up the engine ground too though. After I cleaned up the intake to distributor mating surface I tried grounding out a plug with it connected to the #1 wire and I got shocked so I'm pretty sure the distributor is at least semi-functioning.

Jun 19, 2011 | 09:23 PM

greenwoodford

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From: Copperas Cove, TX

Well my buddy and I finally got the damn thing running. TDC was just a little off and the battery was really dead. Here is a video of the beast running again.

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