16AWG is fine, 14AWG for extra caution maybe, but 12AWG is nuts, totally bogus and unnecessary. It is the collapsing field that throws the spark.

 

Torque1st, my friend, better safe than sorry.

www.PerformanceDistributors.com

 

GM always used a big wire going to the HEI, something about the amp draw of the coil IIRC. Brian

 

I remember it being big but not that big, -but then It has been a few years since I worked on an OEM HEI setup. Do they run a power relay off the battery for the ignition in HEI OEM applications? I don't remember that they did. If the HEI draws that much power it would be a good idea for retrofits. If 12AWG is what the DUI makers specify it is OK by me until I get the chance to check out one with my scope. A scope is something most guys that mess with cars don't have. I find mine very useful.

 

Im pretty sure the stock gm wire size is 14 gauge.



tim

 

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but another option it to keep the duraspark distributor and use an MSD 6 box instead of the duraspark (complete garbage) box. All MDS billet distributors use ford duraspark pickups, so the wiring is really easy. The book that comes with the MSD box tells you exactly to do. I did this and used a blaster SS coil (not a blaster 2, those things suck). I haven't had a single issue in over 2 years. There was no better feeling than when I smashed that duraspark box with a 20 pound sledge.

 

The MOTORCRAFT DS boxes are fine. I run them on all my old Fords. The AFTERMARKET DS boxes are junk tho... I had too many failures with those to count! I have taken a hammer to a couple of them myself along with assorted other parts over the years.

Nothing wrong with the basic DS system as Ford designed and produced it. It will run right with a GM HEI since both of them were designed for optimum functionality and emissions (complete ignition) up to around 5K RPM, actually outperforming the MSD etc units. Somewhere above 5K some of the aftermarket MSD etc boxes will outperform them. The differences are very slight but racers want to get that slight edge at high RPMs.

The Motorcraft DS system has another advantage in that it has a timing retard in start mode that makes for easier hot starts and less stress on the starter (lower amp draw and heat) which the Ford engineers designed into the system for additional vehicle reliability. It comes in especially handy with big cubes or high compression. Some of the aftermarket DS boxes may have the second power connection but it may not be functional. We see a number of people here each year with hot start problems. MSD also has the timing retard function available with some of their systems and computerized engine management systems use that technique.

Performance Distributors sells a nice DS distributor setup also.
http://www.performancedistributors.c...stributors.htm

 

The reason I said garbage is because on each of the 4 trucks I've had, the factory box, which tested fine, left me stranded. Other people may have had good luck, I have not. Just my opinion. On each of the trucks I've converted to MSD, they all seem to idle better and get a little better mileage also.

 

An actual factory box or an aftermarket replica??? There is a huge difference.

Many aftermarket DS boxes have stranded me or made the vehicles run poorly using mega amounts of fuel... I had one fail while I was standing right beside the truck one day. One minute it was purring like a kitten and the next, -sputter cough cough, sputter............. I have had zero failures since I converted everything to the factory Motorcraft DS boxes. I still carry a spare tho under the seat. I get my modules from the junk yards for a few bucks or less and just have them tested. They have all been good so far! Mount them on spacers 1/4" above the fender tho. There is a TSB on this somewhere.

 

I always carry a spare ds box just in case .Msd does sell a timing retard module for almost all the msd ignition systems to retard it for starting they cost around $80.00.

I think Its crazy to pay a couple hundred for a msd ignition box and then spend almost $100 more to retard the timing.Ill stick with the good old duraspark.Its never failed
me yet.



Tim

 

Well, I stayed with stock distributor. Installed a petronics ignitor module. Then I bought their Flamethrower coil. Very nice set up for cheap. $120 for total package.
I've run this same system on Ford 302, 390 and Chevy 327, 350. Now in my Ford 360 and have always had strong spark and no misfires due to ignition. I love this set up. Thought I'd bring another option to the table.

 

dont know about your other engines, but the 360 and 390 had points. your petronics module eliminated the points and converted it to electronic ignition. the duraspark system is a newer electronic ignition system that does not use points.

 

True - Don't know if the duraspark is newer electronic ignition system or not. I think petronics came on the the scene in '75. I think duraspark was around before that. It takes more money and effort to switch over to duraspark. That is why I went with petronics. Works for me.

My point was to change over to a good cheap electronic ignition (petronices) worked wonders for all those cars I listed .... all those cars originally had distributors with points and now have petronics systems in them.

 

This applies to 1975 plus

 

Good stuff ^^^^