I have a 1974 F350 with a 460 motor in it. It currently has the duraspark ignition module. If I want to remove this and not deal with the module, do I need to replace the distributor?

What kind of new distributor would I need?

 

Well now it depends on which way you want to go. You can always go back in time and technology and get a points style distribitor, along with all the hassle that goes with that. Or you could go with 1 of the aftermarket HEI distributors and deal with the hassle that goes along with that. Or you could just go to a Ford dealership and see if you could get a Motorcraft module for your duraspark ignition. It could conceivably last 10-15 years. Just dont buy a chinee heathen made piece of junk from Auto-crap or O'Ripoffs. And definitely dont buy some made in India junk from Preppy-boys. Spend the $$ and buy quality and dont worry about it for a long time.

 

It depends on how much you got in the budget ? There's nothing wrong with a duraspark ignition system if it is set up right ..

 

Here is some really good info on the Duraspark II although it is about the inline six it still pertains

 

I ditched mine and swapped in an HEI. Wasn't too much of a headache and you know it will work.... Plus you can get a decent MSD clone off eBay. The only issue with the 460 was that I had to monkey with the thermostat housing a little bit for clearance and add a spacer to my air cleaner.

 

You can revert to other styles of electronic ignition, but understand that many of these are the exact same technology as the Duraspark setup (including HEI). The only reason some equivalent setups may appear more attractive is because they offer reduced wiring, but if you have to cut up your existing wiring to accommodate the new setup, then there's no point.

There are performance-style setups that use technology advanced beyond Duraspark or HEI, but the gains are marginal on a stock setup.

Rolling back to breaker points is about the worst thing you can do.

 

K.I.S.S.
Why change what really works well? As FMC says it is really no different than any early electronic ignition system. And when everyting is right (including a quality ICM) it will be trouble free for a long time. And honestly, do you really want to put some General Motors based designed ignition system in your Ford? I would just as soon suck snot out of a cows nose.

 

My '77 still has the original Duraspark .... what's so bad about it?

 

I converted mine to a HEI module along with a TFI coil. It works really really really good. By far the single best thing I have done to make this truck run right. It starts easy, idles smooth and really runs good now. It's not for everyone, but I am sold on it.

 

For you HEI fan boys tempted by cheap distributors, beware

"IMPORTANT ADDENDUM!
Many of the HEI Clone manufacturers have been using distributor gears of 'Forign' origin,
Poorly made raw cast iron gears from Mexico and Hardened Steel Gears from Spain"

Source: GM HEI vs. Motorcraft/DuraSpark Ignitions



"As you can plainly see, the factory cam shaft gear (RIGHT) was eaten away by the hardened steel gear of the new distributor."
It should look like the new gear to the LEFT...

 

I too have the factory style ignition module. It works pretty good as far as I can tell. However, I have been told to go ahead and buy one to keep in the truck(along with a starter solenoid). What exactly is the problem with this ignition setup?

 

I just don't understand why Duraspark seems to have a bad reputation. I've NEVER had a module go out on me. As far as I know, my '79 F-150 still has the one it left the factory with. 99% of the time the module is the first thing to get the blame when there is a problem, but it's usually something else causing it. If you have a bad cap and rotor or weak coil it doesn't matter whether it's Duraspark or HEI.

 

You can also get a points style distributor and change it to this system it works really good I've used it and so has a few of my friends. It make it into a Mallory Unilite style. Rebuilt distributor $30 kit $70 and done.

ACCEL brand | Part #: 2020

 

You can wire just about any ignition module in place of the Duraspark box, wether it be an HEI module (talking JUST the module not whole HEI distributor etc) or a Mopar ignition or aftermarket.

If you have the money I suggest getting a quality aftermarket CD ignition box, keep the Duraspark distributor and get a quality aftermarket coil.

I run a Jacobs Pro-Street ignition box, Jacobs Ultra Coil and the rest of my system is factory replacement parts. My plugs are gapped at 0.090 and I've tested gaps up to 0.110 without pinging, I went back down to 0.090 so my plugs can last longer and I don't have to worry if I get a crappy tank of gas.

My ignition has been the best all around performance upgrade I've done to my motor. It's improved power, economy and drivability.

On top of that, I wired the box with factory connectors so if for some reason it ever goes out, I just plug in a Duraspark box and keep going.

 

Modules identified by colored plastic square above where the wires feed out.

The 1974 black & 1975 green & 1976/79 red (some CA vehicles) modules were so unreliable that Ford techs referred to DuraSpark as NeverSpark!

The red modules installed in 1977 were defective!

10's of 1,000's of new and nearly new cars/trucks were parked on dealers service lots, because the module was on national back order (D99) for 3 months!

When we finally received them, they were no better than before. It took another month before we finally received some that were OK.