Duraspark II Conversion
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Lehi, Utah
Duraspark II Conversion
I have my parts for the Duraspark II conversion for my 1984 F-150 Inline 6. I'm definitely going to have some questions as I go through this, so may as well start a thread for it. Here are a couple to start:
- The new ignition coil looks quite different from the stock one. I think I'll have to find a way to hold the new coil in/against the side of the stock bracket. If anyone has any ideas, or if there is a bracket I can mount for the older style coil, let me know.
- I see that the wire from the old distributor to the old coil won't work for the new coil. I'm reading through this thread, and he says to get a new set of spark plug wires for the pre-83 inline 6. Do I need a whole new set of wires, or just the one for the coil?
- Do I understand correctly, that my stock '84 setup doesn't have an ignition module? Again in that other thread, I think he says to mount it to the drivers side inner fender. Does anyone have pictures of what they've done here?
- The new ignition coil looks quite different from the stock one. I think I'll have to find a way to hold the new coil in/against the side of the stock bracket. If anyone has any ideas, or if there is a bracket I can mount for the older style coil, let me know.
- I see that the wire from the old distributor to the old coil won't work for the new coil. I'm reading through this thread, and he says to get a new set of spark plug wires for the pre-83 inline 6. Do I need a whole new set of wires, or just the one for the coil?
- Do I understand correctly, that my stock '84 setup doesn't have an ignition module? Again in that other thread, I think he says to mount it to the drivers side inner fender. Does anyone have pictures of what they've done here?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,913
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I have my parts for the Duraspark II conversion for my 1984 F-150 Inline 6. I'm definitely going to have some questions as I go through this, so may as well start a thread for it. Here are a couple to start:
- The new ignition coil looks quite different from the stock one. I think I'll have to find a way to hold the new coil in/against the side of the stock bracket. If anyone has any ideas, or if there is a bracket I can mount for the older style coil, let me know.
- I see that the wire from the old distributor to the old coil won't work for the new coil. I'm reading through this thread, and he says to get a new set of spark plug wires for the pre-83 inline 6. Do I need a whole new set of wires, or just the one for the coil?
- Do I understand correctly, that my stock '84 setup doesn't have an ignition module? Again in that other thread, I think he says to mount it to the drivers side inner fender. Does anyone have pictures of what they've done here?
- The new ignition coil looks quite different from the stock one. I think I'll have to find a way to hold the new coil in/against the side of the stock bracket. If anyone has any ideas, or if there is a bracket I can mount for the older style coil, let me know.
- I see that the wire from the old distributor to the old coil won't work for the new coil. I'm reading through this thread, and he says to get a new set of spark plug wires for the pre-83 inline 6. Do I need a whole new set of wires, or just the one for the coil?
- Do I understand correctly, that my stock '84 setup doesn't have an ignition module? Again in that other thread, I think he says to mount it to the drivers side inner fender. Does anyone have pictures of what they've done here?
2 I could be wrong but thought you could use the old coil? If not you should be able to find a round coil bracket in the junk yard or on line.
3 plug wires I am sure it is all wires as in a new set.
Look at the new and old dist caps and you will see they are different.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Lehi, Utah
1 the wiring harness I think should have the coil wires on it so nothing you should have to make work.
2 I could be wrong but thought you could use the old coil? If not you should be able to find a round coil bracket in the junk yard or on line.
3 plug wires I am sure it is all wires as in a new set.
Look at the new and old dist caps and you will see they are different.
Dave ----
2 I could be wrong but thought you could use the old coil? If not you should be able to find a round coil bracket in the junk yard or on line.
3 plug wires I am sure it is all wires as in a new set.
Look at the new and old dist caps and you will see they are different.
Dave ----
ACh1J8gqAEAQYASABEgKv_vD_BwEIt has that sparkplug **** looking thing the wire clamps onto, whereas the 83 coil is more like a female end socket. Can I get a coil wire for the Duraspark II distributor that will fit the 84 ignition coil?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Lehi, Utah
1 the wiring harness I think should have the coil wires on it so nothing you should have to make work.
2 I could be wrong but thought you could use the old coil? If not you should be able to find a round coil bracket in the junk yard or on line.
3 plug wires I am sure it is all wires as in a new set.
Look at the new and old dist caps and you will see they are different.
Dave ----
2 I could be wrong but thought you could use the old coil? If not you should be able to find a round coil bracket in the junk yard or on line.
3 plug wires I am sure it is all wires as in a new set.
Look at the new and old dist caps and you will see they are different.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
If the wires fit, re-use them. If you can dig around and find a new coil to distributor wire, then you should be good.
You need to use the round coil you have. Autozone sells this coil bracket for $10.00. Look at some pictures of older 300's, I think it mounts to the side of the engine somewhere. Part number 8213
Here is the connector for the duraspark II coil. Part number 252
You need to use the round coil you have. Autozone sells this coil bracket for $10.00. Look at some pictures of older 300's, I think it mounts to the side of the engine somewhere. Part number 8213
Here is the connector for the duraspark II coil. Part number 252
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Your original setup did have a module, it is mounted directly to the distributor. The older system has a large module that is connected with wires and mounts on the inner fender.
Here's a picture of the coil location.
Here's a picture of the coil location.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Here's a picture of the ignition module. View is from the driver's seat if you could look through the hood.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Lehi, Utah
If the wires fit, re-use them. If you can dig around and find a new coil to distributor wire, then you should be good.
You need to use the round coil you have. Autozone sells this coil bracket for $10.00. Look at some pictures of older 300's, I think it mounts to the side of the engine somewhere. Part number 8213
Here is the connector for the duraspark II coil. Part number 252
You need to use the round coil you have. Autozone sells this coil bracket for $10.00. Look at some pictures of older 300's, I think it mounts to the side of the engine somewhere. Part number 8213
Here is the connector for the duraspark II coil. Part number 252
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 453
Likes: 19
From: Little Rock, AR
Now's a good time for a new set of wires, unless yours are fairly new anyway. I think the wires are the same from those years though.
To clarify: the coil wire is the only one that is different, and can be purchased separately. The distributor wires are the same. I just like nice, new parts.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Lehi, Utah
Nearly every AutoZone/Advanced/O'Reilly's I've ever been into has a universal Chrome coil bracket on their "Performance" aisle. I'd just grab one for $10 or less from there.
Now's a good time for a new set of wires, unless yours are fairly new anyway. I think the wires are the same from those years though.
To clarify: the coil wire is the only one that is different, and can be purchased separately. The distributor wires are the same. I just like nice, new parts.
Now's a good time for a new set of wires, unless yours are fairly new anyway. I think the wires are the same from those years though.
To clarify: the coil wire is the only one that is different, and can be purchased separately. The distributor wires are the same. I just like nice, new parts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
You can use the original TFI coil with the duraspark ignition system you just have to be sure to feed the coil through the ballast resistor in run. The TFI coil will give you a slightly hotter spark to boot there is no need to swap it out.
Youtube video showing location of the DSII ICM
Youtube video showing location of the DSII ICM
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Lehi, Utah
You can use the original TFI coil with the duraspark ignition system you just have to be sure to feed the coil through the ballast resistor in run. The TFI coil will give you a slightly hotter spark to boot there is no need to swap it out.
Youtube video showing location of the DSII ICM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBcRTiBnH4I
Youtube video showing location of the DSII ICM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBcRTiBnH4I
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Lehi, Utah
Could I damage anything by installing the new distributor, ignition module, and leaving the old coil, and see what happens?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
I usually recommend the original coil. But of course I am using a Hybrid GM setup myself, so whatever you choose. The harness does have the resistor made into it, but you have to use the correct wire from the harness. Not the white/lightblue that the TFI coil used.
