If it was a diesel truck I doubt it has the correct resistor wire in the harness.
If you don't put a resistor in the 'run' circuit it will continue to cook coils.

There is a ground in the distributor.
Three wires in that plug. (orange, purple, black)
The black wire should ground inside the dizzy.

If the red & white plug of the DSII module are not hooked up correctly you will not have ignition retard while cranking.
This can make the starter labor on hot starts.

 

DuraSpark electronic ignition introduced in 1974, but not all vehicles came with it until 1976.

1U2Z-12A199-AA (replaced D6AZ-12A199-A - D8VZ-12A199-A - D9VZ-12A199-A) .. Ignition Module-Blue (Motorcraft DY-893) / Available from Ford.

1976/97: myriad FoMoCo vehicles.

Note: 1974 module is 1974 only / 1975 module is 1975 only / Some 1976/79 sold new in CA vehicles used the red module. It was a POS from day one ~ STAY AWAY!

1974, 1975 and 1976/79 red modules were so prone to failure, that Ford techs referred to DuraSpark as NeverSpark!

 

I know you're specifying the Red module (never spark).
Ran the blue module and have not had any problems at all.
Blue module are very durable - duraspark.

 

Hey guys, i have had my f100 for a few years now and am now looking to upgrade my ignition. Im very confused with all the "recurve" and duraspark II stuff. Its a 1981 f100 300 4.9 carburated. So far engine wise it is stock. I would like the engine to live to its full potential. Ive been looking at New Ignition. Pretty lost. So far i bought the Taylor MSD distributor cap. Im not sure what coil to buy, and if i need a new different ignition module to go with it, if at all. Any suggestions appreciated.
1981 F100 4.9 300 Short Bed single cab 2WD

 

Being a 1981 model, your truck came stock with the Duraspark ignition. Later 1984 - 1986 models came with a computerized ignition system with a feedback carburetor. Look at the ignition module on the driver's side fender skirt, and you should see a blue tab with wires coming out of it. If you have that, then you have the Duraspark II ignition. If you have another color, you may have the Duraspark III ignition.

Unless yours is failing, you don't need a new ignition system. The Duraspark ignition is good; even the mighty Mustang GT used it in the 1980s. MSD is an ignition system made for racing. The only time you will see a gain by using the MSD is if you are actively racing your truck and spending time above 5500 RPMs. With a full size truck and a stock 4.9, I doubt you are doing that. Since your engine is stock, you don't need a distributor re-curve, either.

If you need to replace any of the ignition parts, try to stick with genuine MOTORCRAFT parts. They cost twice as much but are at least twice as good.

 

MSD is only functional below 3, 000 rpms.
It works for drag cars that have locked distributors and run for 10 seconds at a time, at full throttle...

The 4.9 isn't rev happy.
Stock DuraSpark components are long lasting and tailored for this vehicle.

 

Based on this [see red, above], the MSD on my 1986 4.9L [used because it was available and free when converting from the feedback system] operates ALL the time.

 

Lol!

Not everybody idles around with a 2.75 gear David.
I will say you do get good fuel mileage.

 

Jim, with my driving habits, I may actually be over-carbureted with the Carter YF!!!

I just remembered that this thread is about ignition, not carburetion. I apologize for my hijack.

 

Does my 86 have a ballast resistor? It originally had the TFI module and computer setup With F.I.,Now I`m trying to run the Duraspark with a Holley 600 but I need advice on the wiring.

 

Yes

These trucks had main harnesses to accomodate both DSII and TFI ignitions.

You may have to unwrap some of the harness to find the proper plug to fit the DuraSpark engine harness, but it (with the resistor wire) is in there.

 

Thank you,ArdWrknTrk. It should be under the dash right? There`s nothing under the hood like that.

 

No, it's under the hood.
Do you have the donor harness/coil/distributor from a DSII truck?

Follow your current ignition wiring back to a plug somewhere on the drivers side inner fender.
Unplug it and start working back from there to find the two plugs you need for DuraSpark ignition.

There will be one for the module and one for the coil/oil/water temp.

 

The ballast resistor and the 2 duraspark plugs aren't there anymore. I hooked up a white wire and a red wire up but I had to disconnect them right away because the starter started to slowly turn when I attached the battery cable. I bought a resistor at radio shack to install tomorrow. I forgot to ask yesterday if I'm supposed to leave the EEC relay and ECM connected. Does anyone out there know what colors the wires are coming out of the firewall on an 86 F150?

 

The resistor is a thick(er) wire in the harnesss.

Someone would have had to go out of their way to hack the harness up in order to remove the plug you need.

What vehicle did you get your Duraspark engine harness from?
Did you get the coil/bracket and distributor too?