Made salvage run today. Thought i would post and perhaps get some feedback on whether i purchased the correct items to convert from points to electronic ignition. I really should not be left unattended in a salvage yard, tend to end up purchasing item later don't know what to do with. Transmissions another example.

Went shopping for an electronic ign. for 70 torino 302 installed in 65f100. Came across 87 faremont with 302 and elect. ign. Everything looks same. Took instructions from this forum indicating needed a Duraspark ll distributor. Thought the distributor would have Duraspart in bold letters, which was not the case. Motorcraft, but the # on dist. housing 12127 same. It has a 3 prong connector. Removed coil, and what is either the ballist resistor, or module, and most of wiring to the module or ballist. Instructions said to remove starter solenoid, and not certain if needed to remove starter to get to solenoid. Was not prepared to remove starter at this point. Can some of these items be purchased thru auto parts dealer?

Compared the 2 distributor, and appear same. The replacement drops into the distributor shaft.To show how confident i am, got the exhange receipt in event find none of the items will work, or perhaps should exhange for better setup.

Any input, suggestions would be appreciated.

thanx,
dave

 

If your dist from the junkyard has a vacuum advance can on the side, you did good. If not, then it's not going to work for you.

If it did have the vaccum can on the side, then you should have also gotten a large aluminum box that was mounted on the fender. If it has a blue plastic piece where the wires go into the aluminum, then you did good here also. If the plastic grommet is another color, then I would not use it.

The starter relay is what you want, not the starter. The starter relay is mounted on the fender, with a short heavy wire going to the battery, and a longer heavy wire going to the starter. If the starter relay you got has two large terminals, and two small terminals, you did good. If it has only one small terminal, then it will not be what you need. Your original set-up might already have a two small terminal starter relay. If it does, you do not need the starter relay from another vehicle.

 

Really appreciate input.

Yes the distributor has the vacuum advance same/simualr as the dist. w/ the points. The current starter relay that i have mounted on the fender has the 2 large connectors, w/ the 2 pig tail type terminals. Did not think of looking for fender mounted relay switch on the faremont. The aluminum box does not have the blue plastic, it is red. However, the coil, which looks like standard point type coil, has a blue plastic insert on top with 'tack test' wording and 2 wire leads, one of which goes to the alum box. Not sure if significant. Will have to do some research.

So, there are 3 wires that come off the distributor to a 3 pin connector. 1 of the wires coming out of the blue cap insert from the coil join the distributor harness making a 4 pin connector that connects to the alum box.

Looks like i am batting a possible 2 or 3, out of 4 and that aint bad. Believe there is a tech article that explain where to make connections i will take a look.

Thank you, the information is very helpful.
dave

 

Took as much of the wiring from various components as possible, connectors included. All the wire codes are same as shown in the article. Intend to make another run next few days and look for the blue colored module. Want to replace before 30 day return option expires.

Thank you again, the article is very helpful.
dave