WTB: Duraspark II ignition box, wiring, distributor

[johnunit]

Thank you, but I've already purchased an ignition box. just looking for a stock-looking or OEM distributor that will hook up.

[1987cp]

Question ... by "wiring", do you mean the harness that goes between components or just the pigtails coming off the module? Your pic of your new module got me wondering, as you had said that it came with "wiring".

[rick99601]

Thank you, but I've already purchased an ignition box. just looking for a stock-looking or OEM distributor that will hook up.

i know of an oem distributor in the yard from a 91 CV with a 351. i wont be getting back there for awhile, but im inquiring on buying the whole car.

if i cant buy the whole thing, my friend could probably go grab it for you.

[johnunit]

The distributors from a crown vic (unless it's modified) are not what I'm looking for, as they'll be the same as mine.


By "wiring", I mean everything between the ends of the connectors you see in the pic Rad posted and the distributor housing. That's what I still need. With minimal wiring experience and a desire to keep it looking OEM, I'd like this to be as plug-and-play as possible.

The "wiring" I was glad to have on the module that I picked up is what Rad's pick showed, as opposed to some OEM replacement pieces that appeared to just be the module itself with no wiring or connectors.

[1987cp]

Logical. Though if you don't mind trying some wiring, aren't the connectors sometimes available separately? IMO, all-new wiring, even if you're not 100% sure of yourself at first, would offer increased peace of mind over 25-plus-year-old used stuff.

Never seen modules with no pigtails attached, but then, I've never actually bought a DSII module either (as you know, neither of my cars are running full DSII ATM).

[johnunit]

I see your point about wiring age, but even if the wiring was in questionable condition, it'd still be all there making replacing it wire-by-wire with new stuff still simpler than making it all from scratch.

[1987cp]

This is a thought, too. Can run it for a while, then use it as a template to make a new one to make sure you get things right.

[P72Ford]

Maybe I missed something... but what is wrong with the distributor that you have in the car now?

I used mine when I did my 4 bbl swap and DS2 conversion.

[johnunit]

A few places I've seen claim that the stock distributor doesn't have any way of changing mechanical advance and is, in general, not a good setup without the computer intervening.

Of course, I'd be pretty happy if you could set me straight on that and save me some time and money.

[P72Ford]

My car used to ping quite a bit on anything but 93, but that would be indicative of too much timing.

Mechanical advance is just that. Timing brought in by weights and springs and centripetal acceleration. I wouldn't think the MCU would affect mechanical advance.

[johnunit]

the story I got went something like this:

Reasonable initial timing (as in not too retarded) on pump gas is only feasible with the computer electronically "lopping the top off" the timing curve, because from the factory the mechanical and vacuum advance are too aggressive and you'll get ping. When ping is detected, the computer doesn't bump back the whole timing curve, just flattens out the top, allowing the cars to run 10-15* initial timing without pinging. With the electronics not there to compensate, you have to run a relatively retarded initial to prevent ping. This sort of sounds like what you had to do.

My impression was that a non-variable venturi distributor would allow more mucking about with the mechanical advance, preventing this issue.

[P72Ford]

Well, that sounds logical.

When you said changing mechanical advance, I assumed you meant that the MCU didn't bring enough in, rather than pulling timing back.

I never really thought of it that way. Hell, thats probably why I had detonation issues with mine.

[Mercracer]

You should be using the DII distributor just as a trigger for a MSD 6AL. The MSD can be placed behind your glove box out of the way of a critical eye and the DII box will be in the engine compartment just for looks. You can run a harness which looks stock but hides your MSD wiring.
Autozone carries a reman distributor which had an original application of the 351W HO truck motors for $47.99 plus core of $9. The part number is 30-2875. They also carry an original replacement for your car which is part number 30-2895 and is $44.99 with a $14 core. Either one will likely have to be ordered but would be there in a couple of days. I ordered one for a '85 Mustang roller cam application with the steel gear and it came in overnight. That is the one to use if you convert a 86+ Crown Vic over to carb and want a DII (looking) ignition.

[1987cp]

Yeah, I haven't figured out why he wants a used distributor. I bought one off eBay once and after examining the seized shaft and getting weird looks trying to purchase a steel gear, I quickly determined that the only use I had for it was to use it as a core exchange on a new reman at AutoZone.

[johnunit]

new ones are unobtanium locally, and anything that long, fleabay sellers charge LARGE for shipping to get them here.