Distributor upgrade

[mysavioreigns]

I read Jack Collins' explanation (sticky at the top of the forum) about the Pre-68 Load O matic.

Using a new H/W5200 carb, would it be bad to use the Load O matic (out of a 66)? Would it be better to use a carb (I found online) that is a '75 200ci? I think I remember HEI or DUI as being the best to use, but I can't afford those at the time.

 

[Bort62]

Swap to Duraspark. It will cost you less than 100$ with all new parts.

Nearly free if you junkyard dive.

 

[66 E100 Pickup]

the duraspark distributor from a 78-82 Fairlane or Mustang is a very good and very cheap conversion. Dizzy is $35-$45 + $5 core rebuilt from a number of on-line places, adapter, cap, rotor, and spark wires about $40, module and coil can be had for about $40. You will need to cut and splice wires, which will wrap it all up for another $3. Or, you can track down the wiring harness from a junker, or pay JEGS for a $110 PAINLESS wiring harness.

You will be amazed at the spark from this set up. It will smooth out the idle and get you better mpg to boot. The 5200 is a non-SCV carb so it will work great with this setup. You'll be able to re-gap your plugs to about 0.050".

John

 

[mysavioreigns]

There's a duraspark distributor? I thought it was just that box thing

What years/models/engine sizes am I looking for? There are a LOT of 70s-80s cars around here in the junkyards, so that would be perfect.

 

[66 E100 Pickup]

don't go junker on this, they will charge you $20 and it will probably have a loose bushing and short life, and no warranty, plus 2 hours of your life lost. The new re builts from Card One (try Kragen Auto Parts on line, $35 + $5 core).

John

 

[mysavioreigns]

Sorry - got your post after I had already submitted mine. That sounds like a heck of a deal - I will definitely go for it.

 

[grocery getter]

Do the durasparks have the same curve? if not, what's the best year to get for a mostly stock 200.

(although the parts probably have been put in a pile then re-used) :roll:

 

[addo]

Buy the Mr Gasket recurve kit (about $13IIRC) and set it right yourself. The rebuilders probably put it wrong (based on historical precedent here - see posts by Montego Man).

Bushing condition is important, and also if possible I advocate re-using the original distributor gear.

 

[rommaster2]

what vehicle would i have to search under to get a new duraspark distributor from kragen? Also would it fit without modification to my 65 200 block? If it does require modification what type?

 

[grocery getter]

Buy the Mr Gasket recurve kit (about $13IIRC) and set it right yourself. The rebuilders probably put it wrong (based on historical precedent here - see posts by Montego Man).

Bushing condition is important, and also if possible I advocate re-using the original distributor gear.

I figured you'd say that... you want something right ....you have to do it yourself 8)

 

[66 E100 Pickup]

what vehicle would i have to search under to get a new duraspark distributor from kragen? Also would it fit without modification to my 65 200 block? If it does require modification what type?

All the 200's in that era are the same. Here's the one I bought:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDeta ... 18&PTSet=A

your 65 may have a 1/4" oil pump drive. The later model 200's all have the 5/16" oil pump drive. You may need to pull it out to check the size. Also, you may need to hit the housing with emory cloth to get it to slip in.

HTH, John

 

[rommaster2]

what vehicle would i have to search under to get a new duraspark distributor from kragen? Also would it fit without modification to my 65 200 block? If it does require modification what type?

All the 200's in that era are the same. Here's the one I bought:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDeta ... 18&PTSet=A

your 65 may have a 1/4" oil pump drive. The later model 200's all have the 5/16" oil pump drive. You may need to pull it out to check the size. Also, you may need to hit the housing with emory cloth to get it to slip in.

HTH, John

This interests me alot, for that cheap of an upgrade to a full electronic and much better distributor that would allow me to get a two barrel carb, damn great price on stuff. I'll say one thing i've learned is that i'm always always price checking online before i go to kragens, you can save tons of $$$

 

[Bort62]

I bought the same dist from kragen's website for 35 $.

 

[mugsy]

MSR,

To answer you question directly, a LOM dizzy needs the LOM compatible carb to work properly. As far as I know the LOM sends a lower vac signal to the dizzy. You could always try to use ported vac to a LOM dizzy, but I have a feeling that it will not work very well.

If you stick with a non-LOM carb (1 or 2 bbl), the best way is to change/upgrade your dizzy. I found a DuraSpark II dizzy on a '77 Granada with a 250. It was a straight swap. Regretfully the dizzy was junk (no centf advance and the vac canister leaked) and found out later that the coil was weak. Plus he carb's idle circuit was plugged!! No wonder the PO had junked the car, it probably ran for shit.

Anyway, I'm glad I bought all the parts from a junkyard, espcially the wiring stuff. You can buy the little control module, dizzy and coil from any parts store. I like the look of the factory connectors on the wiring harness. You might get lucky if you buy all the stuff from a JY and it will work properly. If nothing else you will learn how to swap the stuff before you buy the good parts from a store. And if money is a concern, then by all means buy the store stuff first.

tanx,
Mugsy 8)

 

[66 E100 Pickup]

As far as I know the LOM sends a lower vac signal to the dizzy.

Nope, much higher vac. There's a great sticky on the forum that has the SCV function detailed.

John