Ignition swap question
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Humble, Texas
Ignition swap question
Greetings, this will be a multi part question and I appreciate any suggestions. I have a '85 F150 I-6, TFV4 ignition. I just had the motor replaced after 326,000 miles. (with a Ford remanufactured motor) It had a feedback carb which was netting me a whopping 9 mpg. I switched it out for a regular carb that is for an '83. I'm up to 11mpg. Now, since the feedback carb is not there the OBDI system is not functioning..if it ever did. The current distributor does not have a vacuum advance, this is handled thru that EMC (?) Since there is no feed back there is no advance and acceleration is poor for a new motor. Now the question. I want to dump the TFV and replace it with one that has a vacuum advance. I have been reading on this and many other forums for suggestions until my eyes have crossed. One guy wrote in that he replaced his with a Duraspark II which I really liked, however, there was not any clear directions on how they wired that in. Electrical is not my strong suit and I need pictures. I have be researching replacing my dist with a '74 point dist and maybe putting in the Pertronics igniter. Will a '74 fit an '85? Please help me out guys.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
Been there, done that. I also had a 1985 F150 w/ feedback carb and TFI-IV computer and ignition. I replaced my variable venturi feedback carb with a Holley 4V and changed the ignition over to the OEM Ford Duraspark II ignition and my truck has never ran better!
If you replace the feedback carburetor with a non-feedback, the ignition will not advance, which hurts performance AND economy. The Duraspark II ignition was used on almost all Fords from about 1975 on to 1989 on some models. TFI-IV ignition came along around 1984 along with feedback carburetors and computers, and it was troublesome. The Duraspark II ignition is a high energy ignition and is very relaible, durable and simple, and it has a really neat "spark retard" function that aftermarket ignition systems don't have. This function will help with cold and hot starts. You will need an ignition module (MOTORCRAFT only!), distributor, wiring harness and coil. Do a search for "Duraspark" and start reading. All of the diagrams and information for what you need will be there. I know because it helped me when I did this swap.
Good luck!
If you replace the feedback carburetor with a non-feedback, the ignition will not advance, which hurts performance AND economy. The Duraspark II ignition was used on almost all Fords from about 1975 on to 1989 on some models. TFI-IV ignition came along around 1984 along with feedback carburetors and computers, and it was troublesome. The Duraspark II ignition is a high energy ignition and is very relaible, durable and simple, and it has a really neat "spark retard" function that aftermarket ignition systems don't have. This function will help with cold and hot starts. You will need an ignition module (MOTORCRAFT only!), distributor, wiring harness and coil. Do a search for "Duraspark" and start reading. All of the diagrams and information for what you need will be there. I know because it helped me when I did this swap.
Good luck!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
One other thing. And this is what persuaded me NOT to go with the Pertronics ignition system.
Even though I have heard that Pertronics is pretty reliable, let's say you are driving along, and something happens to your Pertonics. Now what? I don't think most auto parts stores stock Pertronics for each application. You will most likely have to special order it. That also goes for MSD, Mallory, Accel, and all of those other fancy aftermarket ignition systems that do not perform any better than the reliable Duraspark II ignition.
On the other hand, if you have the Ford Duraspark II ignition, you will be able to walk into almost ANY auto parts store and they will have replacement parts right on the shelf!
Even though I have heard that Pertronics is pretty reliable, let's say you are driving along, and something happens to your Pertonics. Now what? I don't think most auto parts stores stock Pertronics for each application. You will most likely have to special order it. That also goes for MSD, Mallory, Accel, and all of those other fancy aftermarket ignition systems that do not perform any better than the reliable Duraspark II ignition.
On the other hand, if you have the Ford Duraspark II ignition, you will be able to walk into almost ANY auto parts store and they will have replacement parts right on the shelf!
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Greetings, this will be a multi part question and I appreciate any suggestions. I have a '85 F150 I-6, TFV4 ignition. I just had the motor replaced after 326,000 miles. (with a Ford remanufactured motor) It had a feedback carb which was netting me a whopping 9 mpg. I switched it out for a regular carb that is for an '83. I'm up to 11mpg. Now, since the feedback carb is not there the OBDI system is not functioning..if it ever did. The current distributor does not have a vacuum advance, this is handled thru that EMC (?) Since there is no feed back there is no advance and acceleration is poor for a new motor. Now the question. I want to dump the TFV and replace it with one that has a vacuum advance. I have been reading on this and many other forums for suggestions until my eyes have crossed. One guy wrote in that he replaced his with a Duraspark II which I really liked, however, there was not any clear directions on how they wired that in. Electrical is not my strong suit and I need pictures. I have be researching replacing my dist with a '74 point dist and maybe putting in the Pertronics igniter. Will a '74 fit an '85? Please help me out guys.
http://www.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/idx/0/358/article/DUI_Ignition_Installation_In_A_Ford_351W_V8.html
Note the Sale Prices.
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Nice try Chris.....
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,573
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From: Washington
ebay item #370093930693
I bought one from this guy for my 1986 F150 I-6 and it work fine.
I also have the correct wiring harness if you go with the DS2. I got an extra one at the junk yard that I did not use.
If you go with the DS2 wiring harness and DS2 module and coil all the part just plug into the existing wiring harness on the truck. No thinking is required.
search the electrical forum for more info... search DS2, DSII, duraspark
here is a link
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ons-again.html
I went with the GM 4 pin module and the square stock ford coil on my truck.
photos here.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...4/MVC-131F.jpg
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Humble, Texas
Sorry for the late response fellas. We had a little wind down here in Texas called Ike which screwed things up for a bit. Many thanks for the replies. I think I will go with the GM module set up like Jimsrebel. However, now I have an intake problem to correct before I can replace the Dist. I will post that question and hopefully get Ole Blue up and running like she should.
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