Hey Guys, So this build has been ongoing for about 4 years, I'll give you all a quick summary of what was & what is now.
So I have a 86 Single cab LWB that had the EFI 302 with AOD Transmission. The original 302 blew some years ago. So I wanted to go old school 302 carb setup.
At the time I found a newly built 302 motor for $900, Claimed it has "ProComp 202 heads" & Ford X cam) probably X303 Cam.
So the original ignition was already worn from the previous motor so we ended up installing the HEI Distributor made for SBF with a Quick Fuel 750 cfm 4-barrel double pump carb.

So the first issue we had was that the Carb kept flooding the motor to the point where the plugs were fouling (Way too Rich), leaned out the carb & swapped out the Plugs, same issues within 200-300 miles.. Carb floats were sticking (Bad Carb). Need to order a new one. I already have an idea on that part.

My issue is that the HEI distributor keeps failing to the point where the upper portion of the Distributor shaft is seizing up in the housing where I can't even spin the shaft of the distributor (gone through 2 already) I don't have any of the original ignition components at this point. Could someone point me to the right direction of the correct Distributor & Ignition components needed? Thanks

 

What type of ignition would you like to run? In these years Ford used the electronic Duraspark II ignition system. You could also run a earlier points distributor, and install a pertronix module inside it and have a electronic dist with no points. And any of those options will run a MSD 6A ignition box if you wanted to go that route.

I have heard of people having problems with some of the HEI units, usually they dirt cheap ones. I think there are better ones out there that cost a bit more but people have better luck with them. I think one of the better units is this one. As you can see compared to the cheap units, this is definitely not cheap.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...i-distributors

 

I really want to get away from any HEI unit, I purchased one off Summit Racing originally & that one seized up, then purchased a Proform version (More expensive) & it failed the exact same way (Shaft seized up). SO... whatever reason the HEI distributor shaft is 1/4 shorter than the OEM ford distributor so IDK if that's an issue. Not sure if the HEI is not long enough to turn the oil pump gear the inputs at the button of the shaft, regardless the motor doesn't like that distributor so now I'm looking for a different non-computer controlled ignition. I don't want nothing really fancy or super expensive, for now I just want the motor to actually turn over & not stall out because of distributor failure.

 

On my 351w, I am running a reman. Cardone distributor for Duraspark 2,and Duraspark blue grommet module. Duraspark distributors for 302 and Duraspark blue grommet module should be available everywhere. Your biggest problem will be finding the harness to connect everything from the distributor to the module and module to harness in the truck. The harness in the truck should be plug-and-play to the Duraspark harness. It was in my '84.

 

These two places in Texas say they have a distributor for sale. You might ask if they have the wiring and the module also.

1983
Distributor
Ford Bronco$CallGigante Auto Parts USA-TX(Houston) Request_Quote 281-372-0101 Request_Insurance_Quote
1983
Distributor
Ford Truck F150MTR302 8-0097G024$17.95Williams Auto Salvage - KOLT USA-TX(Houston) Request_Quote 1-800-969-2015 Request_Insurance_Quote

 

The weird thing I noticed was when we tried to set the firing order for this motor is that it would misfire when we set for a 302 firing order but with a 351w firing order it would idle just fine. Am I missing something here?
Since this is a motor swap & I want to run a Ford designed distributor what year models should I ref to for a ford 302 Non-Computer controlled, Vacuum advance Distributor?

 

 

Out of the 3 Distributors I've installed & ran none of the gears were chewed up, seemed like normal wear from what I saw. It almost seems like the cam shaft is pressing up on the distributor gear maybe at WOT causing the distributor shaft to have friction which leads to it seizing up inside the housing. Regardless I feel an OEM Ignition setup could resolve this since the HEI isn't working out obviously. So anyone know what years F-150 Distributor & Duraspark 2 Ignition I can Search under?

 

Having a 351w firing order is common, the factory 302 HO engines had the 351w firing order, and lots of aftermarket 302 camshafts have the 351w firing order. Most 302's from about 1975-1984 have the duraspark II system you are looking for.

 

 

Back to the rich condition. The factory efi pump is way to much pressure for a carb. Did you swap to a different fuel pump?

 

Yes Were using an external fuel pump mounted to the inner frame where the OEM fuel line runs & have the fuel pressure regulator mounted under the engine bay.

 

What pressure at the carb?

 

Honestly on top of my head I don't remember the exact number, I believe it was 6-7 PSI