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Ignition module missing?

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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 04:07 PM
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Ignition module missing?


There seems to be no ignition module in my truck. It starts and runs though. How is that possible? What am I missing here?
 
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 04:34 PM
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Does it have an aftermarket box somewhere else? Or more likely an HEI dizzy with control module inside.

Does it look like this ?

 
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 04:57 PM
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Here's the distributor.

 
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 07:15 PM
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looks like someone swapped in an older 460 with points, or swapped in an older points distributor.
 
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 09:30 PM
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But it requires an ignition module to run correct? There isn't one and the truck runs. I drove it 30 miles home.
 
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 10:05 PM
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no, an older points distributor doesn't need the ignition module.
 
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 10:53 PM
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Thanks. Why would someone put a points distributor in?
 
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Buellrider76
Thanks. Why would someone put a points distributor in?
Perhaps one went bad and they just trusted points more?
 
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Old Sep 17, 2023 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Buellrider76

Here's the distributor.
I'm diggin' the 460. Is it a factory J-code?
I think I see a D6- engineering stamp on your intake which would definitely have had a DS2 ignition system originally (1976 &up).
I also think I see a home made ballast resistor set up on your inner fender, aft of where the DS2 ICM box was.
How's that Truck Avenger carb doin' ya? They are a mixed bag. lack of air bleeds for the secondary mains circuit is wonky, but you do get annular primaries!
What's the red box with heat fins on it near where the starter solenoid would be mounted? Electronic external voltage regulator? or some add on ignition module (can't tell).

What's
 
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Old Sep 17, 2023 | 09:32 PM
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Yeah there are several things on this truck that I'm trying to figure out. Seems like they tried to reduce electrical as much as possible by removing everything. That red, finned box is a second battery setup. It's not connected to anything. The spring resistor? looking thing is a complete unknown. Had an older guy mention it looked like his old trailer brake setup but I'm not sure. There's loose wires underneath the dash. I'm amazed that it runs at all honestly. That's actually what started this because the truck will run until it gets hot then just shuts off and won't restart until it cools. Started trying to test parts but it's missing half of them.
 

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Old Sep 18, 2023 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Buellrider76
Yeah there are several things on this truck that I'm trying to figure out. Seems like they tried to reduce electrical as much as possible by removing everything. That red, finned box is a second battery setup. It's not connected to anything. The spring resistor? looking thing is a complete unknown. Had an older guy mention it looked like his old trailer brake setup but I'm not sure. There's loose wires underneath the dash. I'm amazed that it runs at all honestly. That's actually what started this because the truck will run until it gets hot then just shuts off and won't restart until it cools. Started trying to test parts but it's missing half of them.
Hacked wiring is often an issue. I cringe every time I see wiring modifications--most are ill thought out. Here's a link if you haven't already found it to some of the Ford wiring diagrams
http://fordification.net/tech/images...aster_1of9.png
So your immediate issue sounds to be be the hot shut off. For clarity, describe this. Is it a hard cut instantly (likely electrical, possibly including the coil) or does it do some death throes until it flat lines ( which could be fuel related).
 
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Old Sep 18, 2023 | 12:36 PM
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Also, check the voltage at your battery with key on engine off, then the voltage at the coil + terminal (KOnEOff), then both of those readings again at cold when running (KonEon), then at hot when it stalls.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2023 | 04:09 PM
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Is definitely electrical. It's like someone flipped the kill switch. I'll do that with the voltage test this weekend. I'm tempted to put everything back to stock and start from there.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2023 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Buellrider76
Yeah there are several things on this truck that I'm trying to figure out. Seems like they tried to reduce electrical as much as possible by removing everything. That red, finned box is a second battery setup. It's not connected to anything. The spring resistor? looking thing is a complete unknown. Had an older guy mention it looked like his old trailer brake setup but I'm not sure. There's loose wires underneath the dash. I'm amazed that it runs at all honestly. That's actually what started this because the truck will run until it gets hot then just shuts off and won't restart until it cools. Started trying to test parts but it's missing half of them.
Yes it was an old trailer brake resister.
The old controllers did not have 'fine" tuning for loaded and unloaded.
Where the jumper wire is looped would have the in & out wires on it.
There would be a cross bar type thing between the 2 springs.
Unloaded the bar would be at the far end from the wires reising the resistance so less power to the trailer brakes when unloaded.
Move it the other way when loaded and more power to trailer for braking.
New controllers all of this is built into it.

Maybe the wires under the dash where for the brake controller?
Dave ----
 
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Old Sep 18, 2023 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by FuzzFace2
Yes it was an old trailer brake resister.
The old controllers did not have 'fine" tuning for loaded and unloaded.
Where the jumper wire is looped would have the in & out wires on it.
There would be a cross bar type thing between the 2 springs.
Unloaded the bar would be at the far end from the wires reising the resistance so less power to the trailer brakes when unloaded.
Move it the other way when loaded and more power to trailer for braking.
New controllers all of this is built into it.

Maybe the wires under the dash where for the brake controller?
Dave ----
Thanks for that info. The truck is pretty stock and original. Even found the factory build sheet under the floor covering. It's just the electrical that's a mess.
 
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