Duraspark II Question
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 330
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
Duraspark II Question
I am lucky enough to have a Ford dealership with a parts department that specializes in parts for older vehicles. I saw a DSII module that comes with the two connectors...the wires with the two plugs. Is this the wiring harness that I have read about in previous posts? Or does the harness consist of the two plugs that plug into these connectors? I am eventually going to convert my '85 F150 from the electronic feedback system to the DSII system, and I am picking up parts a little at a time.
Thanks for your replies.
Thanks for your replies.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Glendale, Arizona
Duraspark II Question
I converted my '84 300 I-6 over from that computer mess. This whole swap is plug-N-play...no cutting wires. In all the posts I put up here, these guys said to get the DS II module with the "blue strain relief" where the wires come out of the box. I bought one of these and I plugged right into my two harnesses on my drivers side fender liner. I picked up a distributer and carb at Checker auto parts that are meant for a '79 with a 300, then I visited a junkyard and found a complete DS II engine harness from an '81 with a 300. It all plugged in, no splicing, all components hooked up great. I used the TFI coil that was already on my truck, I turned the key (with my fingers and toes crossed 
) and it fired right up, It's been a year since I did the conversion and I've never had any problems.
) and it fired right up, It's been a year since I did the conversion and I've never had any problems.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
Duraspark II Question
I see that you are from Glendale, AZ! I live in Chandler. Since you did your conversion, how has your truck been doing with the AZ emissions tests?
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Glendale, Arizona
Duraspark II Question
Wow! I never cought that you lived in AZ! I haven't been to inspection with the duraspark system yet. I bought the truck a little over a year ago from some junkyard in south phoenix, I took it for inspection to get plates, and it passed with the barely functional TFI ignition and the old 300,000 mile motor! I failed the emissions equip. inspection, so I rigged up some sprinkler tubing for my emissions lines (all fake, non-functional ) and It passed! I opted for the "two-year tags" on my plate, so I have another year before I have to go back. So I anticipate passing easily with the new motor and a better ignition system. So far It's doin great...
What Ford dealer are you talking about? Berge, Earnhardts?
) and It passed! I opted for the "two-year tags" on my plate, so I have another year before I have to go back. So I anticipate passing easily with the new motor and a better ignition system. So far It's doin great...What Ford dealer are you talking about? Berge, Earnhardts?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
Duraspark II Question
Sanderson Ford in your neck of the woods...er...desert. They still have brand new 300I-6 engines.
Have you seen any performance improvements since converting to DSII?
Paul
Have you seen any performance improvements since converting to DSII?
Paul
Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 96
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From: Glendale, Arizona
Duraspark II Question
As for performance gains...I have noticed better fuel economy, responsiveness..just a better overall running truck. It's a very simple set-up, very easy to fix if something does go wrong. I really like the older carb, extremely simple!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 330
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
Duraspark II Question
I had an '83 F100 that I sold to a friend in 1999. He still has it. It had the DSII, and yes, it was GREAT to work on. When I bought the '85, I did not do my homework properly and catch the fact that this truck is the electronic feedback system. It is a good running truck after quite a bit of $$. So I am not in any hurry to convert to DSII.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11
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From: northern michigan
Duraspark II Question
do i need the whole wiring harness to do this change over
i have everything in my yard 79 f150 300 i6 2wd (parts truck)
85 f150 300 i6 4wd
thanks hytech
i have everything in my yard 79 f150 300 i6 2wd (parts truck)
85 f150 300 i6 4wd
thanks hytech
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 166
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From: Aviano AB, Italy
Duraspark II Question
Paulz if you plan on getting DSII parts from the ford dealership make sure it's not the ford racing kit because if it is then the module and wiring harness is not interchangeable with other DSII systems that ever came out factory on any ford vehicle in short if the module go's out you'd have to go back to ford to get it and can't pick one up and any decent, and probably non decent, parts store.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
Duraspark II Question
stangboy_82,
Thanks for letting me know that. Luckily, a friend of mine has an '83 F-100 with the same engine as mine, so I can use his truck as a reference. Thanks again!
Paul
Thanks for letting me know that. Luckily, a friend of mine has an '83 F-100 with the same engine as mine, so I can use his truck as a reference. Thanks again!
Paul
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
Well, my TFI module went kaput. So I now have to get the DSII conversion done. I have gotten most of the parts I need for the DS II conversion, including the wiring harness. The question I have is did the 300 I6 engines use a ballast resistor? I got a harness from Ford and it has an inline ballast resistor. I heard that the ballast resistor is a carry over from the old points systems, and that is is not really necessary. Is this true?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
I wound up buying a harness from Ford as the ones in the junk yards were missing insulation. I can get you the part number if you want it - $140.00
Module - $60.00
Coil - $30.00
I still haven't bought the distributor or the carbuerator as I am visiting family in N.C. for a few days. I intend to get this all done next weekend.
Module - $60.00
Coil - $30.00
I still haven't bought the distributor or the carbuerator as I am visiting family in N.C. for a few days. I intend to get this all done next weekend.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Marshalltown, IA
Ouch I didn't realize that harness was so expensive. I just bought a new coil a couple months ago, is it possible to still use it or should I replace? My ford guy should be able to get the harness for me, I'll holler at you if I need the part number. Thank you very much for the help. slifer