Duraspark acting strange.
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Duraspark acting strange.
Hey all, finally fired my 460 I swapped into my 81 4x4 stepside this weekend, it sounds awesome with L&L headers. Typical problems with any swap, they never go perfectly smooth. I bought a new Duraspark and it is throwing a spark constantly when the key is on. What it is doing, is, when you first turn the key on but not all the way to the start position it starts throwing a spark with causes the open cylinder at that time to kick. You continue the action and it turns the starter and it is running. I am not a mechanical genius, can someone shed light on how this works and what may be the issue, if any?
Also I filled the manual SROD tranny up to just under the fill plug and it is puking fluid out of the breather tube. This truck has sat for many years, is there something else plugged up that is causing it spit fluid out of the breather tube? Man, I just remembered, there are two bolts, one that holds the reversing fork and one that is the fill plug, I hope I used the correct one.
Also I filled the manual SROD tranny up to just under the fill plug and it is puking fluid out of the breather tube. This truck has sat for many years, is there something else plugged up that is causing it spit fluid out of the breather tube? Man, I just remembered, there are two bolts, one that holds the reversing fork and one that is the fill plug, I hope I used the correct one.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
No, I haven't heard of it...
Did you have an inline 6?
Maybe you need to get the correct (blue grommet) DSII box?
There are schematics for Duraspark II wiring and conversions all over the internet but due to copyright and forum posting rules I don't want to post it here.
I had no idea you could bolt an SROD behind a 460, and don't think it will last long.
Did you have an inline 6?
Maybe you need to get the correct (blue grommet) DSII box?
There are schematics for Duraspark II wiring and conversions all over the internet but due to copyright and forum posting rules I don't want to post it here.
I had no idea you could bolt an SROD behind a 460, and don't think it will last long.
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I did swap from an inline six and the Box does have the blue grommet, however, all the insulation stuff had melted out of it, I guess from sitting to long. I had to buy a new one and there was no difference in part number for and I6 to a V8. I am looking for an older Duraspark, I understand they are better.
The SROD bolts to 351M / 400 bellhousing which in turn bolts to the 460, it was really no problem. As far as its strength, I dont know, I thought these top loaders were desirable. This one had 280,000 miles on it with no issues till the quickie lube pulled the wrong bolt during a service and dropped the reversing fork into the case, they were then nice enough to bring it around to me and say " your trannys busted, it wont go into reverse and it sounds like crap". Needless to say their insurance bought me a newly rebuilt one by one of the best mechanics in my area. Besides, my 460 is mild, probably going to be in the 230/250 horse range, terrible smog heads from 1974. Looking for some DOVE C's, anybody got some.
The SROD bolts to 351M / 400 bellhousing which in turn bolts to the 460, it was really no problem. As far as its strength, I dont know, I thought these top loaders were desirable. This one had 280,000 miles on it with no issues till the quickie lube pulled the wrong bolt during a service and dropped the reversing fork into the case, they were then nice enough to bring it around to me and say " your trannys busted, it wont go into reverse and it sounds like crap". Needless to say their insurance bought me a newly rebuilt one by one of the best mechanics in my area. Besides, my 460 is mild, probably going to be in the 230/250 horse range, terrible smog heads from 1974. Looking for some DOVE C's, anybody got some.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Well,....new gearbox = good. 
If you look at the first pic on *Scott's page* you can see how the Reluctor Wheel sweeps past the Hall Effect pickup triggering the spark box.
I've had my hand in plenty of DSII ignitions and they seem very robust.
The modules occasionally go bad (no spark at all) and the pickups sometimes fail when hot (you can check Ohms) But I've never seen one doing what you describe.
Here's a clean looking schematic: Duraspark II conversion
I would look for a bad switch or loose/corroded connections before buying new parts. Most ignition systems will throw a spark when disconnected.
If you look at the first pic on *Scott's page* you can see how the Reluctor Wheel sweeps past the Hall Effect pickup triggering the spark box.
I've had my hand in plenty of DSII ignitions and they seem very robust.
The modules occasionally go bad (no spark at all) and the pickups sometimes fail when hot (you can check Ohms) But I've never seen one doing what you describe.
Here's a clean looking schematic: Duraspark II conversion
I would look for a bad switch or loose/corroded connections before buying new parts. Most ignition systems will throw a spark when disconnected.
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Thanks for the info on the Distributor, it was used and untested so it needs to be gone thru, just got a little over exicited to here the 460 run, its been a long time coming.
Back to the tranny, will the tranny from the Heavier duty trucks from 80 to 83 running the 400 be a good choice. If the SROD is a weak link I will know soon enough, but what about the Transfer Case. I would like to go ahead and start looking for replacements now to have ready when needed. I would like it to be bolt in, I spent alot of money at L&L on conversion parts to keep it simple, I dont want that to go to waste.
Thanks
Back to the tranny, will the tranny from the Heavier duty trucks from 80 to 83 running the 400 be a good choice. If the SROD is a weak link I will know soon enough, but what about the Transfer Case. I would like to go ahead and start looking for replacements now to have ready when needed. I would like it to be bolt in, I spent alot of money at L&L on conversion parts to keep it simple, I dont want that to go to waste.
Thanks
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Good luck with your ignition.
Just because the module is new doesn't necessarily mean it is functioning correctly.
I carry a junkyard spare 'known good' DSII under the seat of my truck for times like this.
The T-18 doesn't have syncro 1st, the T-19 -like I have- does.
The later 5 speed ZF with the proper bell housing would be nice.
It's a very popular swap and there are many threads on that ...
By my calculations it should drop rpm's by 16% in top gear. .84:1
The hydraulic clutch may be a challenge to get right, I don't know about the master/slave piston ratio.
As far as I know just about any transfer case from a Ford will bolt into any other.
I'm to understand they all have a common input shaft spline and mounting flange.
Oh, and Welcome to the FTE forums HAARubicon! (I hadn't noticed your join date)
Just because the module is new doesn't necessarily mean it is functioning correctly.
I carry a junkyard spare 'known good' DSII under the seat of my truck for times like this.
The T-18 doesn't have syncro 1st, the T-19 -like I have- does.
The later 5 speed ZF with the proper bell housing would be nice.
It's a very popular swap and there are many threads on that ...
By my calculations it should drop rpm's by 16% in top gear. .84:1
The hydraulic clutch may be a challenge to get right, I don't know about the master/slave piston ratio.
As far as I know just about any transfer case from a Ford will bolt into any other.
I'm to understand they all have a common input shaft spline and mounting flange.
Oh, and Welcome to the FTE forums HAARubicon! (I hadn't noticed your join date)
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I noticed the wiring schematic link I inserted in post 6 is redirecting to an ad.
http****://home.earthlink.net/~rcfaulconer/duraspark/eec.htm
Try removing the asterisks from the above.
It's not a commercial site or link to another forum, so I don't understand why it would be edited.
http****://home.earthlink.net/~rcfaulconer/duraspark/eec.htm
Try removing the asterisks from the above.
It's not a commercial site or link to another forum, so I don't understand why it would be edited.
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