Salvaging Duraspark 2 wiring harness

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 8, 2013 | 06:08 AM

RabidJade

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 409

Likes: 0

Salvaging Duraspark 2 wiring harness

I plan on moving the engine/drivetrain from my 1986 F350 460 to my 1996 F250. I also want to move over the 1986's ignition system with a Duraspark 2 setup.

Although I could just cut in the easiest places to remove the wiring for later reuse I am looking for experienced advice on where to make the cuts, what to take and what to scrap. Alternatively I am also asking if there are aftermarket or OEM replacement sets out there are aren't a ton of money. The current harness in the 1986 has been sprayed with engine oil and cooked for 27 years so I am looking at alternative options if there are any.

Apr 8, 2013 | 12:58 PM

BPofMD

FTE Legend

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 65,938

Likes: 1,432

From: Millersville, MD

Don't know if your state has any pollution requirements but if it does this arrangement prob will not pass because the 96 is computer controlled. Engine swap using the 96 wiring may work depending on what engine it is tho....

Apr 8, 2013 | 03:08 PM

RabidJade

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 409

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPofMD

I've done the research on that subject already and don't really want to debate it here.

Apr 9, 2013 | 05:55 AM

Franklin2

Moderator

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 56,990

Likes: 2,740

From: Virginia

You will have to pretend you are installing this in a older vehicle, since I am thinking the 96 probably does not have the resistor in the harness. Just go buy one from the store for a Chrysler product and mount it on the firewall. Here's a diagram;

You will have the short harness from the module to the distributor from the older truck. Keep and use that. On the other side of the module you will need a couple of power sources. You need hot when the key is turned to on, and I believe you have a white/blue wire in your newer harness that you could cut and install this to the module. You will also need to hook to this same wire and feed the new resistor and then from the resistor to the coil. Make sure you use the old durspark II coil.

Another wire will the be resistor bypass wire. The only way I know that you could easily get this wire is to change out the starter solenoid to one that has two small terminals on it(the older style). It will have a "I" terminal that you can hook a wire to and then go over to the coil +.

The last wire for the ignition will be the start timing retard wire. This wire will come from the starter solenoid also(the red/blue) and hook to the module.

Apr 9, 2013 | 11:29 PM

RabidJade

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 409

Likes: 0

After looking at things it looks like I can snip the wires at the firewall on the old truck and tie it into the wiring on the new truck. Are there any places that sell decent under hood Duraspark II wire kits? Iwant to check out an option for new wiring as well.

Apr 11, 2013 | 03:03 PM

Franklin2

Moderator

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 56,990

Likes: 2,740

From: Virginia

You have everything you need (wires)from the older truck. If you are looking for a "kit" that helps you install a 86 460 into a 96 truck, I don't believe you will ever find it.

Apr 13, 2013 | 06:33 PM

RabidJade

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 409

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklin2

You have everything you need (wires)from the older truck. If you are looking for a "kit" that helps you install a 86 460 into a 96 truck, I don't believe you will ever find it.

My post was one with 2 questions and the important one was answered. I was just seeing what needed to be saved to go from the older truck to the newer truck ignition system.

I was also seeing if anyone made an aftermarket Duraspark 2 wiring harness available just to see if that option was available since the wires on the 1986 truck have seen better days.

Thanks for the assistance.