79 ignition problem
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New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 24
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From: Snowflake, AZ
79 ignition problem
I have a '79 F-150 with the 400M. It has the electronic ignition. The engine starts right up and the timing is set at 4* advanced. The problem is there is no "mechanical" advance as the engine rpm is increased. I'm assuming the ignition module is the issue.
Has anyone removed the Ford setup for the aftermarket HEI Ford ignition simillar to the GM HEI? Or anyone have an alternative setup to suggest?
Has anyone removed the Ford setup for the aftermarket HEI Ford ignition simillar to the GM HEI? Or anyone have an alternative setup to suggest?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
Go pop the distributor cap off and twist your rotor counter-clockwise. Assuming its not completely jammed up, it'll turn at good bit, thats your mechanical advance. Ive been having problems with mine.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
You can't see the mechanical advance just by removing the distributor cap. All you'll see is the pickup module. You have to remove the breaker plate and base plate to see the mechanical advance. You can't do that until you remove the armature. There's a fair amount of work involved to get deep enough to be able to see the mechanical advance.
Mechanical advance is controlled by centrifugal weights at the very bottom of the distributor. It's not controlled by the ignition module. How are you determining that your mechanical advance is not kicking in?
Mechanical advance is controlled by centrifugal weights at the very bottom of the distributor. It's not controlled by the ignition module. How are you determining that your mechanical advance is not kicking in?
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New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 24
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From: Snowflake, AZ
Let me describe this distributor because some must have something completely different from mine.
The cap is ~5'' OD and is grey.
The body is ~5" OD by 2 1/2" tall and is blue plastic.
This all is on the Alum base which goes into the block.
Inside the distributor is the trigger device and the vacuum advance hook up and of cource the rotor. NOTHING ELSE!
Trying to turn the rotor counter clock wise or clock wise produces no movement
The cap is ~5'' OD and is grey.
The body is ~5" OD by 2 1/2" tall and is blue plastic.
This all is on the Alum base which goes into the block.
Inside the distributor is the trigger device and the vacuum advance hook up and of cource the rotor. NOTHING ELSE!
Trying to turn the rotor counter clock wise or clock wise produces no movement
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
Let me describe this distributor because some must have something completely different from mine.
The cap is ~5'' OD and is grey.
The body is ~5" OD by 2 1/2" tall and is blue plastic.
This all is on the Alum base which goes into the block.
Inside the distributor is the trigger device and the vacuum advance hook up and of cource the rotor. NOTHING ELSE!
Trying to turn the rotor counter clock wise or clock wise produces no movement
The cap is ~5'' OD and is grey.
The body is ~5" OD by 2 1/2" tall and is blue plastic.
This all is on the Alum base which goes into the block.
Inside the distributor is the trigger device and the vacuum advance hook up and of cource the rotor. NOTHING ELSE!
Trying to turn the rotor counter clock wise or clock wise produces no movement
EDIT: Yeah, what fmc said.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Let me describe this distributor because some must have something completely different from mine.
The cap is ~5'' OD and is grey.
The body is ~5" OD by 2 1/2" tall and is blue plastic.
This all is on the Alum base which goes into the block.
Inside the distributor is the trigger device and the vacuum advance hook up and of cource the rotor. NOTHING ELSE!
Trying to turn the rotor counter clock wise or clock wise produces no movement
The cap is ~5'' OD and is grey.
The body is ~5" OD by 2 1/2" tall and is blue plastic.
This all is on the Alum base which goes into the block.
Inside the distributor is the trigger device and the vacuum advance hook up and of cource the rotor. NOTHING ELSE!
Trying to turn the rotor counter clock wise or clock wise produces no movement
Sounds like an aftermarket dizzy, but the same physics still apply, there's a mechanical/centrifugal advance mechanism inside that will advance the timing as your rpm's increase.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake, AZ
I removed and disassembled the distributor. It is a Motorcraft (Ford) unit. The mech advance is under the trigger mounting plate and it is not in good condition.
So a Ford HEI distributor has been ordered which will help clean up the engine compartment and simplify things. The wireing for this original ignition was in need of repair.
Thanks for the help everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
So a Ford HEI distributor has been ordered which will help clean up the engine compartment and simplify things. The wireing for this original ignition was in need of repair.
Thanks for the help everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
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