Duraspark ignition question

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Jul 7, 2003 | 12:56 AM

Cyrezman

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Duraspark ignition question

Okay I just recently did an engine swap from a 302 to 351 HO on my 74 F100.When the guy sold me the engine he also gave me alot of the duraspark ignition parts taht came with the engine (Distributor, module, coil, etc.).Well the module is a Duraspark with a YELLOW grommet. I planned on getting a BLUE duraspark module from my friend to replace the yellow one. Will I have to buy a new distributor too or can I use the one that came with the Module with Yellow grommet? Thanks and sorry for the confusing question

Chris

Jul 7, 2003 | 01:04 AM

Torque1st

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Duraspark ignition question

If I remember right the yellow grommet unit was used with a timing retard for low gear. It has been a while since I messed with the different modules. Someone may know for sure and I will see if I can find the info for you.

Jul 7, 2003 | 01:22 AM

Torque1st

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Duraspark ignition question

Nope, I remembered wrong, the module you have may be a Duraspark III module that uses a computer to provide the spark timing from a crankshaft position sensor. You will need a new distributor to use the DS II box. I can't find a definitive source that says what the color of the grommet is on the DS III. The blue grommet is a DS II.

Again somebody here may have better info.

Jul 7, 2003 | 09:30 AM

thelonerangerxlt

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Duraspark ignition question

I am not certain of this either, but I think the yellow grommet module had an extra wiring plug that went to a barometric sensor. It was called a "high altitude" module. The baro sensor would adjust the timing slightly, according to the baro reading.

I would think you could use the yellow grommet module on a DS II system, with the third plug left disconnected. (I haven't tried this myself, so.....????) I would also think the same distributor could be used. The distributors all had three wire connectors (orange and purple to the pick-up coil, and black to ground) The green wire on the same plug goes to the coil positive terminal.

Wasn't the DS III/ECC III a brown grommet module? If it's indeed a DS III, then Torque 1st is correct, the distributors are entirely different.

Jul 7, 2003 | 12:28 PM

Cyrezman

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Duraspark ignition question

Yeah I was wondering what that third plug went to. Yeah the Distributor only has the three wires coming out of it. Thanks for quick help

Chris

Jul 7, 2003 | 12:59 PM

Torque1st

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Duraspark ignition question

I have seen one of those other modules with the third plug but I do not remember the grommet color, -it was years ago...

Does your distributor have advance weights for the mechanical advance and a vacuum can on it?

I have wiring diagrams for the DS1 & 2 but nothing but system descriptions on the DS3. The description I have lists the DS3 as the EEC controlled unit. None of the listings I have mention anything about a barometric sensor or low gear retard. A friend mentioned the low gear function on a module but I never saw it. My books do say the DS1 and DS3 units were california emissions parts. The rest of the country was supposed to use the DS2 blue grommet units. -Who knows...

Jul 7, 2003 | 03:08 PM

Cyrezman

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Duraspark ignition question

Yeah the distributor has weights and a vacuum advance on it. Basically it looks like a big grey distributor with the vacuum can and three little wires coming out of it. The wires are black, black with orange strip, and black with a purple strip. Is this distributor the one that is used with Duraspark II? Thanks