I just bought a 1963 Econoline Van that came with a 200 engine from a 1966 Falcon. The distributor is a real mess and I really don't like dealing with points. I would rather but my money into a new HEI or some other electronic style ignition. I am trying to figure out what my best options are with reasonable prices. Any help would be appreciated.
All Small Six 1966 Falcon 200 HEI Conversion
- Thread starter RMBillings
- Start date
This relates to all small sixes
Lots of options. I’ve got the HEI from EBay seller TheSwapMeetParts. Other guys are running the Duraspark II setup. DUI makes a good one. I’d stay away from the A Team Amazon one because the word on the street is that the seals aren’t good enough to stop the distributor from filling with engine oil. That oil passage supplies oil to the rockers and has a fair bit of pressure.
Note: When you upgrade the distributor you will have to change the carb or modify it for a ported vacuum. The OEM carb does not supply a standard vacuum signal and is not suitable for connecting to a vacuum advance fitting on the distributor. You can just put light springs on the distributor and disconnect the vacuum advance altogether but I tend to prefer the transition from idle to acceleration with vacuum advance.
Note: When you upgrade the distributor you will have to change the carb or modify it for a ported vacuum. The OEM carb does not supply a standard vacuum signal and is not suitable for connecting to a vacuum advance fitting on the distributor. You can just put light springs on the distributor and disconnect the vacuum advance altogether but I tend to prefer the transition from idle to acceleration with vacuum advance.
The aftermarket distributors that feature the large coil on the top of the cap appear to be too big to fit in the van's engine box. In my early van, the DSll distributor gets close to the side of the box, but will fit- works great.
I got a spare DSll from the wrecking yard, it was $25.
I got a spare DSll from the wrecking yard, it was $25.
What Carburetor do you recommend to get the correct vacuum?
I'm using a Weber 38/38 which works well with the camshaft I'm using and the big exhaust. It's a dual carb where both barrels are active at all times. Many use the Weber 32/36 which is asynchronous; the 32mm is the main barrel and when you open it up the 36mm barrel joins in the fun. It comes with an adapter that's shaped like a funnel to funnel the 2 barrels into one. It was very much plug and play. It just worked. Modding the linkage was the only part that took any work.
At one time I would have suggested the DSII to stay at a reasonable price as I sourced the distributor, ignition module and even a newer set of wires at picnpull on half price day for 40-50. But that was 15 years ago when donor cars were plentiful and of course everything cost less then.
This link from the Tech Archive (see above) may be helpful:
I have considered replacing my Ford DSII module with the GM module as they are widely available and moderately priced. And smaller so can keep a spare in glove box easily.
This link from the Tech Archive (see above) may be helpful:
I have considered replacing my Ford DSII module with the GM module as they are widely available and moderately priced. And smaller so can keep a spare in glove box easily.
. Plus he’s a member!!ActionYobbo
Well-known member
Use the blue streak coil FD478
I just installed a HEI Distributor I bought from Summit Racing SUM-850052 and installed it just fine in my straight 6 1965 200 cu. I did have to bend the fuel line out of the way a little to make room since it is bigger. It appears to work well but was not cheap but I have been trying the pertronix 2 and flamethrower coil (seemed to die quick) and was tired of going back and forth but the good thing was I already had the 12v ready for the HEI. I did also have to build some new sparkplug wires for the HEI distributor since the old ones don't work. I am only a couple days in if anyone also has any advice for me.
That’s a good looking distributor.
What carburetor are you using? The original carburetor has what ford called spark control for the original Spark-o-Matic distributor. It provides a non-standard vacuum signal, so if you have the original carburetor, you won’t want to use the vacuum port on the carb for your distributor vacuum advance. Rather than that, you’ll want to block off that port on the carb and use the manifold vacuum. Then you’ll have to do a little experimentation to find the amount of initial advance that works best for your engine. These engines are happy with a lot of ignition timing. At the moment mine has 14 degrees at idle and I have had it up to about 24 degrees at idle with no pinging. You’ll need to find the amount of timing that works best for your engine.
I am using a carter YF it already had the vacuum going from the manifold. Thanks for the info I wouldn't have thought of that. I did set it for about 14 deg on timing maybe 15 or so kind of hard to see so I put fingernail polish on the mark and made the spot a little big so not 100% accurate but def in 14-16 deg range. I did not re-gap the plugs from original spec.
Welcome to the group. I'm one who does not increase the sparkplug gap from original specs when an ignition output upgrade is done. 1) The plug itself is designed for a specific gap, if opened much beyond that the electrode is not perpendicular to the center node any longer. 2) There is no loss of the increased spark voltage energy by leaving the gap stock. Higher voltage can bridge a wider airgap, but spark energy is consumed to do so. 3) Smaller plug gap reduces the load on the rotor/cap contact points and plug wires, arcing is less likely and cap lasts longer.
Every vintage vehicle I've upgraded spark output on from ignition points runs much better, with the stock plug and plug gap.
14 degrees is where I have mine now. That seems to be the place where it is happiest with my current setup. You should be just fine with that.
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