Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

ICM Question??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 28, 2020 | 02:04 PM
  #1  
1979FordSask's Avatar
1979FordSask
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
ICM Question??

Good day all....looking for some advice on replacing my ICM on my '79 F250 (460ci). Just doing some maintenance items when I get around to it and I've heard that a person should replace their old "Motorcraft" ICM. Is this true?? I don't think there are any issues with it but I suppose changing it along with other ignition parts might not be a bad idea?
New parts so far are spark plugs, ignition wires, ignition coil, cap and rotor, and starter.....

ALSO 2nd QUESTION....are there more then two paint codes for the light blue color of my truck? I want to paint the steel wheels to match the light blue color now that I found factory dog dish hubcaps. Just want to spray bomb them with some color match paint and primer.


 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2020 | 02:29 PM
  #2  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Just because you got new parts does not make them better than the old ones.
Most likely the starter, Coil and ICM are Chinese junk and will crappie our on you.
If the others were not bad I would clean them up and put them back in service.
If it ain't broke don't fix it or replace it!
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2020 | 03:01 PM
  #3  
1TonBasecamp's Avatar
1TonBasecamp
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
And as far as I'd heard, the Motorcraft would have been the one to keep! Not the one to get rid of. Never heard that before I don't think.
Lots of people hate the Dura Spark setup and just say get rid of it in general, but it's actually a very good system that just has way too many wires, and variations on those wires, to ever become a popular swap. And add to that the fact that it's certainly true that plenty of people have had problems with theirs (just like GM did with their HEI in the seventies) maybe you were hearing the generic "get rid of it and go with HEI or MSD or "insert your favorite brand here" ignition instead.

But I thought it was Motorcraft that was the one to look for and spend extra money on.
Besides that, for sure much of the new stuff is a crap shoot, so NEVER get rid of your old stuff unless you've proven that it's no good any more.

Paul
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2020 | 03:16 PM
  #4  
somethingclever's Avatar
somethingclever
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 323
From: SW PA
When doing some testing on my truck I found the Motorcraft unit gave less voltage drop through the box as compared to old-school (and still quality) replacements.

I would not even be interested in anything brand new as a good back up.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2020 | 03:23 PM
  #5  
meangreen92's Avatar
meangreen92
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
Replace if you want, but keep the old one if it's still working.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2020 | 04:40 PM
  #6  
matthewq4b's Avatar
matthewq4b
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
If your ICM is working just leave it. If you are going to replace it. Use either a genuine Motorcraft unit Pt # DY893 or a Wells/WVE unit as they are the current OEM for Ford. Contrary to popular belief Ford never manufactured their own ICM's they were outsourced to either Motorola or Wells (now branded WVE) as an FYI Wells has been an electrical component supplier to Ford for over a 100 years.

As for your paint code issue, post the paint codes and we can let you know which is which.
 
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2020 | 05:09 PM
  #7  
5851a's Avatar
5851a
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 891
From: East Central Ia
Leave your old parts in place, buy genuine Motorcraft Dura spark module and a pick up coil for the distributor, put them behind the seat as spares.
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2020 | 01:35 AM
  #8  
MrGGermany's Avatar
MrGGermany
Tuned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 310
Likes: 50
Originally Posted by 1979FordSask
Good day all....looking for some advice on replacing my ICM on my '79 F250 (460ci). Just doing some maintenance items when I get around to it and I've heard that a person should replace their old "Motorcraft" ICM. Is this true?? I don't think there are any issues with it but I suppose changing it along with other ignition parts might not be a bad idea?
New parts so far are spark plugs, ignition wires, ignition coil, cap and rotor, and starter.....

ALSO 2nd QUESTION....are there more then two paint codes for the light blue color of my truck? I want to paint the steel wheels to match the light blue color now that I found factory dog dish hubcaps. Just want to spray bomb them with some color match paint and primer.
First off, x2 on what Fuzzface wrote....if it ain't broke, don't fix it! As for the paint, my truck is painted the same colors, just reversed. Below are the paint codes I found for 1977. My paint code is 8S so I went with light blue and bright dark blue.



 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 29, 2020 | 03:31 AM
  #9  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,243
Likes: 5,811
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
X22 plugs, wires, rotor and cap replacement good call for a tune up/maint. I would only replace the coil and starter if they are broke or causing issues (after troubleshooting). Then do not waste the $ on cheap replacement parts, that are NOT going to be as good as what you have now. I would leave the MotorCraft ignition box alone. Maybe space it off the fenderwell with some washers and keep on trucking. And when you can, get a MotorCraft replacement to have behind the seat/in tool box. Leave it in the box and store it with the back side (gooey side) facing UP.

Other paint code info.



 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2020 | 12:18 PM
  #10  
XSoph's Avatar
XSoph
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 638
Likes: 36
From: Southwest Missouri
X2 what Rich said about carrying a spare. I've burned out a couple modules by now. One original and a duralast. My latest replacement is a Motorcraft, but not NOS. We'll see how long it lasts. I'm wrapping my headers, so that should help. If that fails, I may relocate the module or add a fresh air duct to keep it cool. I'm not even in the hottest US climate zone, either.
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2020 | 03:40 PM
  #11  
1979FordSask's Avatar
1979FordSask
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the info! Much appreciated! Well what I save on the ICM that I am NOT replacing will come in handy elsewhere
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2020 | 05:31 PM
  #12  
meangreen92's Avatar
meangreen92
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
If you see a genuine Motorcraft one in a car at the junkyard, grab it. Usually they've been replaced, but sometimes they still have the original one.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
krabbekrout
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Mar 14, 2020 09:57 PM
036.0stroke
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
31
Nov 26, 2016 06:17 AM
custom1106
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Sep 19, 2011 01:22 AM
hivoltj
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Apr 21, 2011 11:49 AM
six7seta
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
11
May 7, 2006 09:41 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:07 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE