Distributer wiring question

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Apr 12, 2003 | 04:51 PM

labrouse

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Distributer wiring question

I am putting in a 1986 5.0 302 into my 1960 F100. I have a quick question that I hope someone can help me with. There are three wires comming off of the distributer a purple, a black, and orange. I need some help on exactly where these wires connect to on my truck. Thanks for the help

Apr 12, 2003 | 09:24 PM

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Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Breckenridge, Minn.

Distributer wiring question

Are you planning to use the ignition harness that the 302 came out of or are you going to use the wiring that came with the truck? If you plan on using the high energy ignition system from the donor vehicle you need to transfer the ignition system and the ECM to make the engine run properly. Otherwise if you are using the original truck harness you will have to use a Distributor that is compatible with the old system. You have two different voltages used; 12 volts when starting the engine and around 8 volts when the engine is running. The old point system required lower voltage when running so there is a ballast resistor either in the harness such as a nichrome wire or an actual ceramic cased resistor to drop voltage. I am not well enough versed with the old Fords to tell you where to look. Personal preference would be to go with the newer system because it is more reliable. I remember having to repace points on my old Fords on a regular basis. The HEI is much more convenient.
Good luck.

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Apr 12, 2003 | 10:46 PM

labrouse

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Distributer wiring question

I have the ECM that came out of the mustang. I have gotten a wire diagram that shows that the orange, purple, and black wire from the dist. go to the ECM. And then off of the ECM is a red wire that goes to the starter relay (+)? and a white wire that goes to the ign wire? and a green wire that goes to the ign coil? I guess that I am reading this right. The electrical system is a Dura SparkII 1981-85. I guess that what I am looking for is to not burn any thing up in the process. Thank for the help.

Apr 13, 2003 | 08:57 PM

Purple55

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 486

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From: South Carolina

Distributer wiring question

Labrouse,
I've got the same set up on my '55 with 460.The only difference is,I've got the white wire going to the solenoid and the red going to ignition.
Greg

Apr 13, 2003 | 09:22 PM

Purple55

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 486

Likes: 66

From: South Carolina

Distributer wiring question

Labrouse,
I've got the same set up on my '55 with 460.The only difference is,I've got the white wire going to the solenoid and the red going to ignition.
Greg