Points to EI
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Points to EI
My 1966 F100 has a 1975 engine, an inline 6. But, the distriubutor, with points, is from the original 1966 engine. Naturally it's shot from spinning for 44 years, and I'd like the 75 engiine to be as much like a 75 engine as possible. I bought a new 1975 dist with pick-up coil, cap and rotor. I also bought a new module, that box type that mounts on the inside fender. There is a wiring harness that connects these two units, which I can get at the local junkyard, and I have the wiring diagram, drawing, etc. My question is whether I need anything else to do this conversion. I see references to a "dual ballast resistor" in some places, but I'm uncertain how I would know whether I have such a thing already and if not how and where I wire it into this new system.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 206
From: Washington
Check your voltage at idle at the coil positive with the point Dist. ... or just turn the key on and make sure the points are closed and test the voltage at the coil +
It should be less than battery voltage at idle, if you keep the same power source for the coil the ballast resistor (wire ?) it should still be in the system.
Is the coil you are going to use for EI?
It should be less than battery voltage at idle, if you keep the same power source for the coil the ballast resistor (wire ?) it should still be in the system.
Is the coil you are going to use for EI?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thanks JimsRebel. Yes, I do have a coil for EI, which I plan to install along with the dist and module. And, I just salvaged the harness for connecting the dist and module. So, I think what I'll do next is connect what I am sure of, and from there see what wiring I am still dealing with and whether I can fuigure it out with the wiring diagram I have. Also, since my system will now have EI, I assume I can check the coil voltage as you describe by just turning the key on?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 206
From: Washington
Well, if you still currently have a running truck with a point Dist. I would see what you are currently getting at the coil +. with points open & closed... key ON.
It would make it easier to know what you might need to add if you know what you currently have RE a ballast resistor.
If you have started the change over already, I would just get it running and take some voltage reading at the coil + at idle.
It would make it easier to know what you might need to add if you know what you currently have RE a ballast resistor.
If you have started the change over already, I would just get it running and take some voltage reading at the coil + at idle.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 206
From: Washington
If you have only just removed the Dist, you could just just reconnect the coil NEG to the point dist, GRD the dist, and do the points open/closed voltage test.
My gut feeling is you currently have a resistor wire in the system.
My gut feeling is you currently have a resistor wire in the system.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Well, I'm stumped and frustrated. I removed tihe old points system and distributor from my 1975 engine, nstalled the brand new dizzy, cap, rotor and EI unit. I followed the wiring digrams many people have posted online, and all I got is a rolling engine that won't even cough. I tried a new coil. Its not the one with the horseshoe type clip that goes on over the leads, it's the one with the old style leads with the hold-down nuts. But that's what the parts store gave me when I asked for a coil for a 75 6-cyl ford with electronic ignition. The only thing I have not changed is the plug wires. They are still the ones that were on there when I had the points system. Does this matter? Any suggestions?
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 206
From: Washington
Well, I'm stumped and frustrated. I removed tihe old points system and distributor from my 1975 engine, nstalled the brand new dizzy, cap, rotor and EI unit. I followed the wiring digrams many people have posted online, and all I got is a rolling engine that won't even cough. I tried a new coil. Its not the one with the horseshoe type clip that goes on over the leads, it's the one with the old style leads with the hold-down nuts. But that's what the parts store gave me when I asked for a coil for a 75 6-cyl ford with electronic ignition. The only thing I have not changed is the plug wires. They are still the ones that were on there when I had the points system. Does this matter? Any suggestions?
I would put a test light on the coil negitive NEG and see if it blinks ON-OFF when you crank it over.
If the light blinks, make sure #1 was at TDC on the compression stroke and the rotor is pointing to #1 CYL.
The cap has a #1 on it.
Jim
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Jim, I understand you are saying I need a coil wire to fit the EI system rather than the old one from the 1965 system that's on their now, right? But what do you mean by "round coil/square coil"? I will also try the light test. Thanks again
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 206
From: Washington
The center part of the coil is a different shape on the square coil so the wire end is also a different shape/style. The square coil style was used on the EEC-IV, you didnt have that type of IGN. It was used on 1984 and newer 4.9.... I thought you had an 85 engine, but I see it was a 75.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Myfreeford
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
11
Nov 29, 2011 03:57 PM
JoeHarbourJets
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Apr 14, 2011 09:35 AM
