Distributors...
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 25
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Distributors...
hey y’all, I’m about to replace the dizzy on the 302 in my ‘84 F150. It is an early build so has vacuum advance. I have plans to upgrade to 4 bbl, intake, cam and exhaust... MAYBE heads.
Anyhoo, what’s a good aftermarket distributor that isn’t too dang expensive?
In case some of y’all are wondering why I’m wanting to replace it: it has an erratic idle that stumbles around especially while in gear and brake pedal applied. I put a timing light on it, the light jumps around a bit.
appreciate any.... ALL info from you fellas
Anyhoo, what’s a good aftermarket distributor that isn’t too dang expensive?
In case some of y’all are wondering why I’m wanting to replace it: it has an erratic idle that stumbles around especially while in gear and brake pedal applied. I put a timing light on it, the light jumps around a bit.
appreciate any.... ALL info from you fellas
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
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From: Angier, NC
X2
set the motor on TDC remove distributor cap.
now turn the crank by hand till the rotor starts to move. Then turn crank in other direction and note how much it turns before the rotor does should not be more than about 2 to 4 degrees.
Dave - - - -
set the motor on TDC remove distributor cap.
now turn the crank by hand till the rotor starts to move. Then turn crank in other direction and note how much it turns before the rotor does should not be more than about 2 to 4 degrees.
Dave - - - -
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Freshman User
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
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From: NJ
Duraspark II is a good system. First you should check whether you ever have any problems with your distributor. Check for side to side movement in the shaft, this indicated worn out bushings needing replacement. Also check that the mechanical advance operates smoothly and full returns to the same position each time. Mechanical advance is easy to clean and lubricate to ensure proper operation.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Oh yeah I’ll definitely check it all first before spending $$. Duraspark II.... I’ll check that one out, it’ll be a direct replacement? In other words I won’t need to make any mods to stab it in?
Thank uou
Thank uou
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
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From: Atlantic Canada
I just disassembled my '84 302 with only 36,000 miles on it, and the timing chain was so sloppy it looked like it would fall off...lol. However, I had checked the timing and it was nice and steady, so I don't know what to tell ya. My distributor shaft seems nice and tight, and everything inside the distributor appeared to be properly intact.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: NJ
You have Duraspark II, evaluate condition of the distributor and rebuild if necessary. Recurve it to optimize power and economy, from the factory mechanical advance tends to come in pretty late.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Fayetteville, NC
I just disassembled my '84 302 with only 36,000 miles on it, and the timing chain was so sloppy it looked like it would fall off...lol. However, I had checked the timing and it was nice and steady, so I don't know what to tell ya. My distributor shaft seems nice and tight, and everything inside the distributor appeared to be properly intact.
I know that every time I’ve had the timing light jump around, the distributor needed rebuild/replacement..
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Fayetteville, NC
this is an early build ‘84. It was the transition year from non feedback to feedback carb, electronic advance and the EEC-IV computer. I’m not sure about the Duraspark II but Cadunkle says it is. I can try and find a part number and check it out
ive got vac advance, non feedback carb
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Freshman User
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Ford Duraspark - Performance Distributors Performance Distributors
You'll have to select your engine in the drop-down box.
Otherwise, there are a lot of options. The Pertronix ones have come up in a lot of my searches...not for trucks necessarily, but on old cars.
I'm just going through the process of upgrading my '84 302, same as you are. GT40 heads, 4bbl Edelbrock intake, Holley carb, Comp Cams full kit, headers, etc. I mulled over the distributor for quite a while, and in the end I decided to just order a stock reman unit from RockAuto, and the Crane Cams advance re-curve kit from Jegs.
This thing was supposed to be kind of a budget build, so I've been struggling to keep the costs down...lol. My truck is going to see very little use, and when it does get used, it will just be cruising, never hauling anything more than it's own weight. I think a performance distributor would be overkill for what I'm doing, so I just stayed stock but will re-curve the advance for performance.
If I was going to step up from here, I was going to go with one of those custom curved Performance Distributors.