Distributor question
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New User
Joined: Nov 2013
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Distributor question
1980 F100, 302, RPM performer intake, holley 4bbl vacuum sec, AT.
I want to swap the distributor. I feel that it may be contributing to my lack of power, amongst other things I know. What's the best ICM, distributor, coil combination for present set up?
I want to swap the distributor. I feel that it may be contributing to my lack of power, amongst other things I know. What's the best ICM, distributor, coil combination for present set up?
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2013
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I have put an edelbrock rpm performer intake, holley 600 carb. New coil pack worse tune up stuff and replaced alt, and starter.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
I had a similar setup as you. 302, Holley 600, Performer RPM, 1.6 ratio roller rockers, and an unknown comps cam, with the stock duraspark II distributor.. Have you messed with your current distributor? Modified engines generally want more than the 10 degrees of base timing, and generally less than the insane amount of mechanical and vacuum advance that the factory duraspark II gives. If you're that interested in buying a new distributor you can go for it, if you want to do some tuning: http://www.reincarnation-automotive....ons_index.html
Besides this, your lack of power problem is probably because your F100 likely has 2.75 gears. With my 302, with the kickdown working properly, it would hold first gear until ~48mph, and 2nd to 85+.
Besides this, your lack of power problem is probably because your F100 likely has 2.75 gears. With my 302, with the kickdown working properly, it would hold first gear until ~48mph, and 2nd to 85+.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
I used to complain of the same power problem as you, when my distributor had the stock, very stiff and retarded advance springs in it. I installed the new ones from the kit I bought from Oreilly's (Mr. Gasket # 925D) Costs $3.99 but needs to be ordered most likely. Change those if you haven't. Clean every part in the distributor and lube everything accordingly. I recommend using the medium spring that's already in the distributor, and replace the heavy spring with a light spring from the kit for starters. This allows the timing advance to come in faster. What a difference it made on mine. It went from NO torque to LOTS of torque.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
2.75. I don't know how it would behave since you have the stock cam. But I set mine up to about 14 degrees base timing, limited to about 38 degrees with the mechanical advance all in, with the original light(er) spring replaced with a 925d. On the second page of the link I posted above, it tells you how big you need the slot to get x amount of timing. My original was a "21L" allowing too much advance at the upper rpm ranges.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
351W, comp XE250H cam, Comp cams Magnum rocker arms, Weiand stealth intake, Summit 600 CFM 4bbl, C6 transmission, 3.55 gears with LT235/85/R16 tires. Stock ignition system.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 69
From: New Zealand
I used to complain of the same power problem as you, when my distributor had the stock, very stiff and retarded advance springs in it. I installed the new ones from the kit I bought from Oreilly's (Mr. Gasket # 925D) Costs $3.99 but needs to be ordered most likely. Change those if you haven't. Clean every part in the distributor and lube everything accordingly. I recommend using the medium spring that's already in the distributor, and replace the heavy spring with a light spring from the kit for starters. This allows the timing advance to come in faster. What a difference it made on mine. It went from NO torque to LOTS of torque.
2.75. I don't know how it would behave since you have the stock cam. But I set mine up to about 14 degrees base timing, limited to about 38 degrees with the mechanical advance all in, with the original light(er) spring replaced with a 925d. On the second page of the link I posted above, it tells you how big you need the slot to get x amount of timing. My original was a "21L" allowing too much advance at the upper rpm ranges.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
My engine has never pinged with 87, even going with ~17 degrees of initial timing, but aftermarket cams tolerate more timing advance (unless you built something for high compression I suppose). Occasionally you will here about people having pinging problems with stock engines when they go messing the emissions stuff and timing.