Duraspark II Help

[nickstewartroc]

So I've been looking at doing the DSII swap, but have some questions. I have a 67' mustang with a 200 w/ LOM and the stock 1100 w/ SCV. So if i go DSII do i need to upgrade the carb as well? Also, does anyone have more specific part numbers to get for the control module, and possibly the harness?

This so far is my list of "to buy" :
Distributor:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 6_0_0_4431
Distributor cap:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 19263_0_0_
Control Module:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 759_0_2127
Mr. Gasket recurve kit #925D:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 19263_0_0_

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated,Thanks,
Nick

 

[bmbm40]

I looked at this ds2 and had called autozone to see what rebuilt meant. They had no idea and suggested I call the rebuilder. From what I understand a full length bronze bushing may need to be fitted to restore to factory specs. You could call Cardone and ask. I got my last two ds2 setups from picnpull including the harness,module,coil and wires on half price day for about 30 dollars I think. They have been working fine. This is the cheapest way to get electronic ignition although autozone prices are close. Not sure about the carb but someone on here will know.

 

[mysavioreigns]

Yes, you need to swap the carburetor with a non-SCV version.

Unfortunately I put all my how-to stuff on my DSII swap away and have no idea where it went. Perhaps someone else will remember, but that distributor looks correct. I think you'll need to swap out your distributor gear, though.

The Mr. Gasket #925D kit can be bought from Amazon

The intermediate harness, as I call it, can be found at a junkyard. I haven't seen any new, but they're probably out there (and probably overpriced ) This is the harness that goes from the 3-pin connector on the distributor to the 4-pin connector on the module.

Be sure to see what slot number you're running, when you do recurve the distributor.

 

[rocklord]

You can run your SCV carb with a DSII>

You can keep your SCV carburetor if you are switching from a LOM to a DSII. You have to switch the LOM distributor out if you switch to a non-SCV carb.

You will have to run a vacuum line from the distributor advance to a port on the intake manifold.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Nick:

I'd ditto scoring a complete system from a recycler. Better if you can remove it your self. It will take a good cleaning and thorough inspection before installing, but that way you will get the wiring harness and connectors already connected, including the DS II spark plug wires.

As far as parts store numbers, I'm no help. But, ask for a distributor for a '78 Fairmont. I doubt you'll find a factory type wiring harness through a parts store.

To add to the carb info, Yes, the LoM carb with a SCV will not work as designed with the vacuum advance mechanism in the DS II. Ideally, you will want a carb with a ported vacuum source to be compatible with the DS II vacuum advance system. You can crip by, as per Rocklords suggestion, by using a manifold vacuum source. The main difference is the amount of vacuum advance the distributor gets at an idle, and slightly off idle. Most likely you will have to reduce your initial advance setting- which will hurt low end performance feel.

Upgrading your carb to a non-SCV type carb offers many choices. '68 & 69 200 have a downsized Autolite 1100 that would be a direct bolt on, but down on power. An Autolite 1101 from a '69 Mustang with a 250 engine will give you an increase in cfm and be very close to a direct bolt-on. Stepping up to '70 and later Carter YFs is another option. This carb would require some adapting.

You didn't specify trans type, locale or other modifications to your engine. That would be helpful info.

Keep it coming.

Adios, David

 

[nickstewartroc]

Got a C4, living in Longwood FL., and as for modifications...Nothing yet haha, still trying to find a good head, I still can't seem to find one :/

 

[woodbutcher]

IIRC,Painless offers the wiring harness that you need.Last time that I checked,it was listed at $129.00.OUCH.Check their website for a dealer near you.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

[Explorer]

NAPA carries all the connectors you need to make a harness. As said, everything listed for a 78 Fairmont is correct including gear, DSII with blue module. Looking up the Fairmont is so simple even the idiots at Advance/Auto zone can find it on their computer. I would advise buying the module from NAPA and best one they have. Even a used junkyard Motorcraft module is better than a new chinese made one.

 

[nickstewartroc]

Thanks for all the help on here guys, looks like my only thing now is the carb. Is it going to be alright running it with the DSII or will it be ?

 

[Explorer]

You can run your SCV carb with a DSII>

You can keep your SCV carburetor if you are switching from a LOM to a DSII. You have to switch the LOM distributor out if you switch to a non-SCV carb.

You will have to run a vacuum line from the distributor advance to a port on the intake manifold.

There is your answer.

 

[nickstewartroc]

You can run your SCV carb with a DSII>

You can keep your SCV carburetor if you are switching from a LOM to a DSII. You have to switch the LOM distributor out if you switch to a non-SCV carb.

You will have to run a vacuum line from the distributor advance to a port on the intake manifold.

There is your answer.

I know it can be done that way, but I'm saying is that a good idea, or is it going to be a lot of headaches trying to get it working right?

 

[Explorer]

Different view points regarding ported vacuum and full manifold vac for vacuum advance. I've alway's used ported, but recently converted my son's from LOM and hooked up manifold vec to vacuum advance. Car runs well, better than I expected. Still running the SCV carb and just blocked off it's vacuum port. So I have to say you will not have any problems. I still want to change carb and go back to ported vacuum, but thats just me. Just old habits die hard.

 

[nickstewartroc]

THanks!

 

[chad]

"...looking up the Fairmont is so simple even the idiots at Advance/Auto zone can find it on their computer. I would advise buying the module from NAPA and best one they have. Even a used junkyard Motorcraft module is better than a new chinese made one..."

I'll pipe in here (as 1 of those idiots, on Sat.s anyway - @ least I'm not in the DIY end , commercial - big improvement, yeah right). Give em the motor too.

 

[Explorer]

Chad: If I was a betting man, I'd bet you are the only person in the store that knows what a Duraspark ignition is. Not to mention trying to get them to understand why you want something that was not available in a 60's model Ford.

 

[chad]

sorry to jack the post but it's the whole system (american econ. / international). The big box stores (walsmart, autostoned, home expo) have creared the chinese middle class. If the legislation the auto makers want passed (we call it "right to repair" cuz we're on the other side) goes thru who knows what will happen. Some say usa will start manif. the prts - quality & price will go up. Some say no DIY once passed. MA is a test case (nxt couppla mo.)

I try to help the garages who restore the older rigs (or the owners).

 

[69.5Mav]

I know it can be done that way, but I'm saying is that a good idea, or is it going to be a lot of headaches trying to get it working right?

Read this post

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63354

 

[66 E100 Pickup]

I really enjoyed the ported vs manifold vacuum article, it is clear and generally makes sense.

However, the author ignores the fact that the factory distributors were all built around using a ported vacuum source. If you have 15" to 19" of vacuum at idle, using straight manifold vacuum will not allow the DSII to be dialed in, there will be a compromises on setting the timing.

I'd find his comments a more appropriate if we could simply go to Autozone (or where ever) and buy a distributor with either a ported curve, or a manifold curve. Here are the differences I found between the two, this with a Holley 1940 non-SCV carb. The readings on the left are ported, on the right, manifold.

580rpm 1" hg 540 rpm 16" hg 600 rpm 17" hg
900rpm 8" hg 970 rpm 19" hg (small amount of needle flutter here, +/- 1/4" hg)
1000rpm 10" hg
1300rpm 12" hg 1360 rpm 19.5" hg
1700rpm 14" hg
2000rpm 14" hg 2200 rpm 20" hg
2800+ rpm 15" hg 2400rpm + 20.5" hg

Bottom line is, whatever vacuum source you use, the distributor curve needs to be dailed in correctly (including also the centrifugal advance).

John/Fresno

 

[MustangSix]

Got a C4, living in Longwood FL., and as for modifications...Nothing yet haha, still trying to find a good head, I still can't seem to find one :/

I have an extra late model head you can have if you come get it.

 

[chad]

late model head you can have
'77 plus? If so ("in the number 2 slot") put me down for "of interest".