300 I6 ignition replacement

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May 17, 2001 | 06:52 AM

BigMac

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300 I6 ignition replacement

I have a 1986 F150 4x4 with the 300 Inline 6 cyl. This truck is used on the farm only and over the years I have removed/modified most of the computer controlled systems to help in ease of maintenance. The last item I would like to replace is the stock distributor with the electronic computer timing advance. I would like to swap in a regular vacuum advanced point type unit.
What do you recommend for the swap? Do I need to change out the coil also? Are there any other hidden items that need to be part of the package?
I appreciate any information you can send my way.
BigMac

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This was originally posted in the Inline forum but received no reponses.
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May 17, 2001 | 01:25 PM

82F100SWB

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From: Dryden, ON, Canada

300 I6 ignition replacement

I would reccomend going to Duraspark II instead of points. Get yourself a Duraspark II distributor, wiring harness, coil, coil bracket, and module, and, if you're still running the feedback carb, get a non-feedback carb too. Nearly all of the 80-83 trucks w/300 used DSII, and some of the later(up to 86) ones did too. All you have to do is unplug your wiring harness, remove it, the coil, and the dist., and install the Duraspark II components.
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide ex. 2wd
MAF MPFI HD 300-6
Hedman Hedder
NP435(6.69 low)
NP205
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
Dana 44 TTB
31x10.50/15 Goodyear M/T's

May 17, 2001 | 02:02 PM

BigMac

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300 I6 ignition replacement

Evan,
Thanks for the information. A few questions for you if I may:

1. Is a Duraspark II distributor a vacuum advance type?

2. What is the "module" you are referring to?

3. Will this setup allow me to remove the computer from under the dash? Everything else is disconnected except for the ignition components.

Thanks for the info.

BigMac

May 17, 2001 | 04:03 PM

82F100SWB

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From: Dryden, ON, Canada

300 I6 ignition replacement

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 17-May-01 AT 05:12 PM (EST)[/font][p]Yes, the DS-II is a vacum advance HEI setup(It may even be hotter than GM's HEI). The module I'm referring to is an ignition amplifier. It's an aluminum box (well, it's more than that really) held to the drivers side inner fender with 3 bolts. Yes, it does allow you to toss the computer that's under the dash. The Duraspark wiring harness will completly replace the TFI-IV harness(your current setup) from the plugs on the cab/chassis wiring harness on, including the guage sender hookups.
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide ex. 2wd
MAF MPFI HD 300-6
Hedman Hedder
NP435(6.69 low)
NP205
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
Dana 44 TTB
31x10.50/15 Goodyear M/T's

Jun 18, 2001 | 12:18 PM

OZ1

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300 I6 ignition replacement

Hey,
I am a rookie to all this, I have an 83 f100 Inline 6, what are the benefits of doing this work to the truck . I mean removing the computer and placing the DurasparkII. I would appreciate all the info you could spare.

Thanks,
OZ1
83 F100
Inline 6
Auto/2WD

Jun 18, 2001 | 02:07 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

300 I6 ignition replacement

The duraspark is an improvement over points because of more accurate timing and dwell with no change due to wear like points have, plus a much hotter spark. As far as the duraspark III computer controlled systems, they will work fine until something goes wrong. Nobody likes to work on them and being that the ecm controls the whole system, if you take part of it off, you are better off removing the rest and getting something that works together, IF it will pass emissions.

Jun 19, 2001 | 12:21 PM

BigMac

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300 I6 ignition replacement

OZ1,
It's all about simplicity and fewer moving parts. I can fix anything mechanical but I am stopped dead in my tracks when an electronic component goes belly up. The infamous Ford computer is the example here. Changing to a points/vacumm distributor frees me from having to deal with a "black box" under the dash that I can't service.
Since I rarely get this truck past third gear, performance and hotter sparks don't mean a furry rodents rearend to me. I am still looking for a point type distributor from the salvage yard but have come up empty. Around here all engines are pulled and put on a shelf and sold as whole units. The body is put out in the yard to be piece parted. I may have to buy a new one.

Thanks to all for their responses and I hope you see where im coming from OZ1.

BigMac