Procomp Distributors?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Williamson, NY
Procomp Distributors?
I have been looking to replace my stock Duraspark ignition system with a ProComp Distributor. They offer both an HEI and non-HEI diistributor and I am wondering if anyone had used these distributors before and had any recommendations? The non-HEI needs an external coil and I do have a new stock-style Accel race coil to use with it if I go that route. Thanks.
Jim
Jim
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I bought one (procomp distributor) on ebay very reasonably priced and put it in my 80 351w truck. It runs 15-20 minutes after sitting cold and quits due to losing ground to the black wire suddenly while running. It will restart after x amount of time after cooling I guess....I am not sure the distributor the problem but it this is driving me crazy.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, B.C.
I was looking at the Procomp Distributors too, but after a little research it sounds like they are pretty poor quality. I decided to stick with the Duraspark.
Do a google search and you will see lots of forum threads where people have had problems with them.
Do a google search and you will see lots of forum threads where people have had problems with them.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, B.C.
Yeah, I've seen that article before and considered doing that.
But, is the HEI module really any better than the Duraspark?
To me, the main advantage of an HEI distributor is that the coil and module are contained inside the cap for a cleaner engine bay.
You wouldn't get that with jus the module conversion.
But, is the HEI module really any better than the Duraspark?
To me, the main advantage of an HEI distributor is that the coil and module are contained inside the cap for a cleaner engine bay.
You wouldn't get that with jus the module conversion.
FTE Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
I have been looking to replace my stock Duraspark ignition system with a ProComp Distributor. They offer both an HEI and non-HEI diistributor and I am wondering if anyone had used these distributors before and had any recommendations? The non-HEI needs an external coil and I do have a new stock-style Accel race coil to use with it if I go that route. Thanks.
Jim
Jim
If you decide to get a new distributor, consider our custom curved Duraspark Distributor built with our new Full Length Oil Impregnated Bronze Bushing. The full length bushing improves timing stability and spark scatter. If stock appearance is not an issue, take a look at our one piece D.U.I. Distributor. Whether you choose the Duraspark or the D.U.I., we curve each on a distributor machine based on your engine combination. Please see them at:
http://performancedistributors.com/forddistributors.htm
Also, there is now an excellent installation article on the D.U.I. Distributor on the Ford-Trucks.com site at:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...d_351W_V8.html
Ignition Lesson of the Month: Hystereses, the difference between the timing as the rpm and vacuum increases to the timing as rpm and vacuum decrease, needs to be kept to a minimum. A precise advance curve accomplishes this.
__________________
FTE Sponsor
Performance Distributors
www.PerformanceDistributors.com
FTE Sponsor
Performance Distributors
www.PerformanceDistributors.com
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
dizzies
CujoJim, keep the duraspark. The duraspark really is the best distributor a Ford V8 can have. Money spent on a 'high performance' distributor is a waste. There really isn't any such thing. If you want to increase ignition power, keep the Duraspark dizzy, but use it to trigger an MSD or accel or jacobs or whomever else you like. When you want more performance, the dizzy will need to be recalibrated. An HEI won't help, they're intended for a chevy, and they have heat problems with the module inside the closed housing. AND they're funny looking. You can reshape the curve in your dizzy all by yourself, but not everyone likes playing with such things. And if the bushings in your dizzy are worn, the spark will wander all over the place. You CAN replace the bushings, but they are a pain to get. If you get a new duraspark from somebody like perfdist, they will put one together with the beefier bushings and curve it however you want. Drop it into your engine, plug it into your controlbox/amplifier of choice and your troubles are over. DinosaurFan
Last edited by dinosaurfan; Jul 13, 2009 at 07:58 PM. Reason: fat fingers
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Well, Dino, not to rain on your parade, but having run a D.U.I. HEI unit in my 351w for about 10 years, I can personally vouch for their quality and longevity. Being a GM tech since '92, the "usual" HEI failures were those caused by wannabe mechanics who failed to put the heat transfer grease between the module and the distributer housing, or those that refused to do a tune-up for 100k miles, with the ozone build-up inside the cap causing terminal pin corrosion from the pick-up coil to the module. Yes, the modules do get hot and do require a proper heatsink to pull off that heat, so just bolting a module to the inner fender to run your Duraspark dizzy will cause a quick demise and further the GM quick failure myth
Concerning the Duraspark dizzy, I have a unit from a '85 Mustang GT that has been modified using the info from carbdford, that is wired to a GM module. I have this in my 302 in a '60 Falcon. As soon as Photobucket comes back on-line (down for maint.) I'll post some pic's, along with a shot of a neat heatsink that GM mounts their external modules to, on the 4.3 Blazers. Not expensive, either (about $15.00)
Lee
Concerning the Duraspark dizzy, I have a unit from a '85 Mustang GT that has been modified using the info from carbdford, that is wired to a GM module. I have this in my 302 in a '60 Falcon. As soon as Photobucket comes back on-line (down for maint.) I'll post some pic's, along with a shot of a neat heatsink that GM mounts their external modules to, on the 4.3 Blazers. Not expensive, either (about $15.00)
Lee
