351 Distributor Conversion
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From: Asheville, NC
351 Distributor Conversion
My '83 351W came with the Duraspark III system. This is the system that is computer controlled, has a sensor on the harmonic balancer, and a distributor with NOTHING electrical, or vacuum controlled on it at all.
The computer on this truck is fried. The timing jumps allover the place. Sometimes, its very hard to start due to high advance. Other times, it is so retarded that it barely runs.
I bought a used Duraspark II distributor with a vacuum advance, and a module for the spark to use on this thing. I plan to work on it this weekend.
Anybody know the firing order for this engine? Is it the same as a 302?
Where's a good place to start with ignition timing? 10-degrees BTDC?
Thanks in advance!
The computer on this truck is fried. The timing jumps allover the place. Sometimes, its very hard to start due to high advance. Other times, it is so retarded that it barely runs.
I bought a used Duraspark II distributor with a vacuum advance, and a module for the spark to use on this thing. I plan to work on it this weekend.
Anybody know the firing order for this engine? Is it the same as a 302?
Where's a good place to start with ignition timing? 10-degrees BTDC?
Thanks in advance!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,137
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From: Asheville, NC
The Saga Continues
I've had my first bad eBay experience. This is a 351 Duraspark 2 distributor, but is full of blown engine goo and filth. I spent the whole day rebuilding and cleaning this thing up. The pick-up coil in the dist. was dead, too. Checked it with an ohmmeter, and got nothing. Zilch. If nothing else, the crud on everything kept it from rusting.
We'll try this again next saturday.
We'll try this again next saturday.
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From: Asheville, NC
Any chance that anyone here might have a simplified schematic for the Duraspark III system? I'd like to use as much of the original wiring as possible for this. Thanks! I have a good one for Dura II on hand.
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This thread is ending.
After not hearing back from anybody, I got a chance yesterday to go by the local FORD dealer, who allowed me to make a copy of the page in their 1983 shop manual of the Dura III system.
I'm going to install this puppy in the truck on Saturday. Hope this improves the mileage. Cant hurt it.
Thanks for all of your assistance, with this and in the past.
I'm going to install this puppy in the truck on Saturday. Hope this improves the mileage. Cant hurt it.
Thanks for all of your assistance, with this and in the past.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Asheville, NC
Ok. Saturday I found that the distributor that I bought on eBay had a bent shaft down at the gear. Plus, the hex where the oil pump connects is bunged up.
So,
I bought a rebuilt from AutoZone for $44. Installed it on Sunday. Made a wiring harness with temporary connectors.
The first time I tried to start the truck, I found that I had gotten the timing 180 degrees off. I pulled the #1 plug and found the compression stroke. Reinstalled the distributor, and bumped the starter once and it dropped into place on the oil pump. The first time I attempted to start the truck, it fired up.
Since this truck had computer controlled ignition, there are no timing marks that I can find on the harmonic balancer. I got it timed by ear for now. It's running really well. It has ***** now! No spark knock, and it starts when hot.
I'm really impressed with the improvement, and have missed driving this truck for the last month.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! Lets go buy some $3.29 gas now!
So,
I bought a rebuilt from AutoZone for $44. Installed it on Sunday. Made a wiring harness with temporary connectors.
The first time I tried to start the truck, I found that I had gotten the timing 180 degrees off. I pulled the #1 plug and found the compression stroke. Reinstalled the distributor, and bumped the starter once and it dropped into place on the oil pump. The first time I attempted to start the truck, it fired up.
Since this truck had computer controlled ignition, there are no timing marks that I can find on the harmonic balancer. I got it timed by ear for now. It's running really well. It has ***** now! No spark knock, and it starts when hot.
I'm really impressed with the improvement, and have missed driving this truck for the last month.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! Lets go buy some $3.29 gas now!
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