Looking for a more durable ignition system
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 293
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From: NoGa.
Looking for a more durable ignition system
Hey y'all...
New guy coming aboard!
I have had a number of Ford pickups ... most of them were 1980 to 86 or so.
Every one of them had only one BIG weak spot ... the ignition system. I HATE buying modules for these things every two years!!! Every time I look under the seat of an 80's Ford P/U ... I find at least one ... sometimes as many as 6 (!) modules.
I am building up a 1982 with a 302, stick trans, 4X4 ... I want this truck to be ABSOLUTELY BULLET PROOF and DEAD NUTS RELIABLE.
The Ford Duraspark (?) Ignition System just ain't gonna make it. This crap is almost as bad as Lucas Ignition systems in Brit cars!!!!
Any ideas how to improve it?
Failing that ... any ideas what to replace it with?
I'm even toying with the idea of finding an old points and cond dist ... and putting THAT in.
oddshot
New guy coming aboard!
I have had a number of Ford pickups ... most of them were 1980 to 86 or so.
Every one of them had only one BIG weak spot ... the ignition system. I HATE buying modules for these things every two years!!! Every time I look under the seat of an 80's Ford P/U ... I find at least one ... sometimes as many as 6 (!) modules.
I am building up a 1982 with a 302, stick trans, 4X4 ... I want this truck to be ABSOLUTELY BULLET PROOF and DEAD NUTS RELIABLE.
The Ford Duraspark (?) Ignition System just ain't gonna make it. This crap is almost as bad as Lucas Ignition systems in Brit cars!!!!
Any ideas how to improve it?
Failing that ... any ideas what to replace it with?
I'm even toying with the idea of finding an old points and cond dist ... and putting THAT in.
oddshot
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
If you're replacing that module THAT frequently, something else is wrong in
your truck's wiring that is initiating (causing) the failure. The DuraSpark II
system is actually pretty good.
your truck's wiring that is initiating (causing) the failure. The DuraSpark II
system is actually pretty good.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: NoGa.
I've had at least 4 F 100 & 150's ... I bought all of them used ... all of them came with spare modules under the seats ... I just talked my Brother-in-law into a BEAUTIFUL 85 F 250 ... under the seat when he bought it??? Mod boxes.
My most current Ford was an 84 F 150 302, 4x4. I guess I owned it for over 6 years ... and 1 distributor pickup and 2 mod boxes. Fortunately the last one died less than 2 miles from home about a week ago.
Come to think of it ... the only break downs I have EVER had with a Ford P/U ... is the dang Ignition System.
I've checked the wiring ... it all checks out ... until the box dies.
then I go to the parts store ... get a new box ... and down the road I go.
What the heck goes bad in these boxes?
Can you get that epoxy (or hard silicone) out of there and rebuild these things?
oddshot
My most current Ford was an 84 F 150 302, 4x4. I guess I owned it for over 6 years ... and 1 distributor pickup and 2 mod boxes. Fortunately the last one died less than 2 miles from home about a week ago.
Come to think of it ... the only break downs I have EVER had with a Ford P/U ... is the dang Ignition System.
I've checked the wiring ... it all checks out ... until the box dies.
then I go to the parts store ... get a new box ... and down the road I go.
What the heck goes bad in these boxes?
Can you get that epoxy (or hard silicone) out of there and rebuild these things?
oddshot
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
Likes: 2
From: Mexia, TX
I haven't had any issues with my ignition box, and I've had my truck for around 7 years...the mod box epoxy has melted out a good bit, but it's still working. I have a spare box behind the seat for if\when I need it. Hasn't failed me yet though.
I would think the underhood heat would probably make that epoxy melt out over the years. I suppose if you knew what you were doing and wired it right, you could move the module into the cab up, maybe up near the fuse box, and get it away from the heat.
I would think the underhood heat would probably make that epoxy melt out over the years. I suppose if you knew what you were doing and wired it right, you could move the module into the cab up, maybe up near the fuse box, and get it away from the heat.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
i always use motorcraft modules.never had a problem.some guys just have an extra one under the seat just in case,just like those old ballast resisters in the old dodges.it's just murphys law,if you have a spare you will never need it,if you don't have it you will need it.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 907
Likes: 6
From: nw pa.
got efi ?
hey
if you dont have efi you can go back to a points system...ive files a few points sets enough to get home...
how about a magneto (sp)
i have been thinking this before your post...
simple and indestructible..like a 300 -6 carb points no sensors with a t19 4sp
I want this truck to be ABSOLUTELY BULLET PROOF and DEAD NUTS RELIABLE.
if you dont have efi you can go back to a points system...ive files a few points sets enough to get home...
how about a magneto (sp)
i have been thinking this before your post...
simple and indestructible..like a 300 -6 carb points no sensors with a t19 4sp
I want this truck to be ABSOLUTELY BULLET PROOF and DEAD NUTS RELIABLE.
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Wasilla, AK
One possible problem with keeping a Mod working could be your weather down in Georgia. Hot/cold, humid weather can effect the seal (silicone) covering the circuit board in the Mod. If condensation/moisture gets in it will short them out. We have the problem with the hard cold up here on some of these components. I'm swapping out my Duraspark for a Mallory. Mallorys' 23 to 25 series distributors come in single or dual point configurations. All you need is a good hot coil! I'll be putting one on my 85 351 HO this weekend. My 3 cents, Tim
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
If you have to buy modules for your Duraspark ignition every two years, it sounds like you have another problem.
First, are you replacing your modules with MOTORCRAFT units? Yes, it makes a difference. For some reason, most of the aftermarket modules are notorious for failing and having a much shorter life than the Ford Motorcraft ignition modules.
Second, keep in mind that the ignition system you have on your truck now is 27 years old. That is wiring and electronics exposed to the elements everyday for 27 years. Check the entire system and make sure all the connections are good. Make sure you are using genuine MOTORCRAFT parts!
The Duraspark ignition is reliable and has been used on millions of Ford vehicles for more than 10 years. You will gain NOTHING by changing your ignition system, unless of course you are actually racing your truck and you spend a lot of time above 5,000 RPMs.
The bottom line is you are not going to find a more reliable ignition system for a street vehicle than a properly functioning Duraspark ignition system.
First, are you replacing your modules with MOTORCRAFT units? Yes, it makes a difference. For some reason, most of the aftermarket modules are notorious for failing and having a much shorter life than the Ford Motorcraft ignition modules.
Second, keep in mind that the ignition system you have on your truck now is 27 years old. That is wiring and electronics exposed to the elements everyday for 27 years. Check the entire system and make sure all the connections are good. Make sure you are using genuine MOTORCRAFT parts!
The Duraspark ignition is reliable and has been used on millions of Ford vehicles for more than 10 years. You will gain NOTHING by changing your ignition system, unless of course you are actually racing your truck and you spend a lot of time above 5,000 RPMs.
The bottom line is you are not going to find a more reliable ignition system for a street vehicle than a properly functioning Duraspark ignition system.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Arcadia, Fla
Oh, to reseal them, I used a old innertube and tied the ends off with zip ties and sealed with rubber cement were the wires come out, ugly but keeps it dry!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: NoGa.
Probably what I'm gonna do ... I checked my local parts store ... they tell me they can still get Rebuilt 70's vintage distributors for 302 V8's.
Probably run about $50.00 ... plus the bucks for a hot coil.
BTW ... all you guys that suggested some other problem are probably correct ... Wiring, switches and connections that are 30 +/- years old probably have so much resistance that they are heating up some component in the box and causing the failures I've seen ... in all the vehicles I seen them in.
But ... a hot wire to the coil ... another wire from the coil to the distributor ... a set of points and a condenser is a lot more simple and reliable ... and more easily repaired on the side of the road then the Dura Spark System.
Thanks!
oddshot
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Hey y'all...
New guy coming aboard!
I have had a number of Ford pickups ... most of them were 1980 to 86 or so.
Every one of them had only one BIG weak spot ... the ignition system. I HATE buying modules for these things every two years!!! Every time I look under the seat of an 80's Ford P/U ... I find at least one ... sometimes as many as 6 (!) modules.
I am building up a 1982 with a 302, stick trans, 4X4 ... I want this truck to be ABSOLUTELY BULLET PROOF and DEAD NUTS RELIABLE.
The Ford Duraspark (?) Ignition System just ain't gonna make it. This crap is almost as bad as Lucas Ignition systems in Brit cars!!!!
Any ideas how to improve it?
Failing that ... any ideas what to replace it with?
I'm even toying with the idea of finding an old points and cond dist ... and putting THAT in.
oddshot
New guy coming aboard!
I have had a number of Ford pickups ... most of them were 1980 to 86 or so.
Every one of them had only one BIG weak spot ... the ignition system. I HATE buying modules for these things every two years!!! Every time I look under the seat of an 80's Ford P/U ... I find at least one ... sometimes as many as 6 (!) modules.
I am building up a 1982 with a 302, stick trans, 4X4 ... I want this truck to be ABSOLUTELY BULLET PROOF and DEAD NUTS RELIABLE.
The Ford Duraspark (?) Ignition System just ain't gonna make it. This crap is almost as bad as Lucas Ignition systems in Brit cars!!!!
Any ideas how to improve it?
Failing that ... any ideas what to replace it with?
I'm even toying with the idea of finding an old points and cond dist ... and putting THAT in.
oddshot
