Ignition wiring

[Anonymous]

Car 61 Comet donor 75 Granada
Took the 250 and C4 out and putting it into the Comet (if you haven't been following my posts)

Now is time to think about the ignition system. It has a Dura Spark 1, with a breakerless dizzy. I want to get this thing started and rolling down the road ASAP. I pulled all the wires out of the granada and layed them out.
(see pictures)
the first picture and connections are pretty straight forward, going to Alt, starter, and I'm assuming the wire labled (?) goes to the ignition switch.
But the thick yellow wire coming off the same side of the solenoid, goes to other side of engine bay, and both go thru the fire wall on oposite sides of fire wall.
what goes where?

2nd pic-
white cresent thing is labled Tech Tester and clips onto coil
From there wires head all over, connecting to connectors, and back together again, heading in and out of firewall. I'm assuming some head to dash for warning lights.
Is all this necessary?
is a Dura Spark2 less complictaed?
Should I go with an after market set up?
I do know from what I've read, that this DS1 is a P.O.S and doesn't give off much spark. I was thinking of up grading at a later time, but maybe now is the time.
I dunno, but what I do know is I want to get this thing running.

thanks

 

[Bort62]

I am sorry, my brain is cloudy and I couldnt understand your post.

However I would suggest you ditch all that wiring and run the distributor you have or a DSII with a GM HEI module. Run a switched +12v to the positive on the coil and the module. Connect the coil, distributor, and module together as per a simple diagram, and you are off.

That's about all it takes. It will be a lot cleanre and simpler thatn all that crap, and work better too.

 

[fordconvert]

Are the pics of the granada? And you are wondering what you need to take and put on the comet to get it running with what you got for now?

 

[JackFish]

I sorry I can't offer anything other than this pic for your reference.
I think this is for a 300, not sure which year:

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, this is the rat's nest wiring unbolted and unravelled and put on plywood so I could figure it out, and get you a nice picture

Just so I got this straight;
the DS2 is the distributor, not the whole system (module, dist, coil, etc.)
I'd much rather get a new distributor than a pick-a-part.

Clean, simple, and lot's of spark.....
that's what I want.

What GM HEI module should I get, what car did it come on?
I need to make it easy on my parts guy.
You know the drill, what year and make, what size engine, automatic or standard, power stearing? blah, blah, blah

I just went through that looking for a price on that DS2, and he told me they were all the same from like 74-81, he double checked and said they all have the same part number in the computer, and it didn't say if it was a Duraspark 1 or 2.

 

[fordconvert]

I think the DS1 and 2 was only a change in the cap. The DS1 cap looks like the points cap and uses the points style wires, the DS2 uses a larger diameter cap with an adaptor that used those nifty clips to hold the cap on. The DS1 cap should be the 74 maverick or from the looks of it 75 granada? If money is tight dont waste it buying a HEI module if you have a working duraspark one there, also you have all the connectors you need there, if it all works just use what you have. I have been told that the larger cap doesnt make any differnce in the 6's, I guess the change was made for the V8's because at high rpms they had issues with cross fire in the cap but since the 6 has more space between terminals (2 less) and the 6's dont tend to spin as fast its not a problem. I assume you had that motor running before you pulled it? So you know the module and stuff is good?

 

[Anonymous]

It was running when I pulled it out, but not very well.
So I had it rebuilt. And with it being a fresh build with a 262/282 cam and intake milled for a 2bbl, I'm thinking a good spark is in order.
How much can an HEI module cost? as much as an MSD 6A?

I had read that the DSII add'ed a good 20hp. And this '75 unit just isn't worth it.

 

[fordconvert]

To get another 20 HP out of a DS2 vs. a properly working Load O you would have to do the recurve. A DUI may give you that out of the box and everything is contained in the dizzy and cap so there is only one wire and nothing else to mount. Down side is they aint cheap....

I dont think there is a huge performance differnce between the ford modules and a HEI because they basically do the same thing but it seems like for the money the HEIs tend to be more reliable. HEI modules are made by several people including the well known people like ACELL and MSD. Prices range from $10-$60. I would avoid the cheap ones because this seems to be an area where you get the quality you pay for up to a point. The most reliable for me have been the genuine GM ones, some parts store carry them otherwise any GM dealer. They fit all GM V8's (and others) from '74 to '80 and seem to be known as the '4 pin'. Just pick your favorite car from the late 70's.... pretend you are Somkey and the bandit and say you have a 77 Trans Am with a 400. You will have to make up your own harness and connectors and such. You will also have to find/make some sort of heat sink, most seem to find such a thing on a old computer. I got mine at a surplus store for $3.

Here is a link that explains this stuff including drawings:
The HEI part is under 'better ignition'
http://www.gofastforless.com/

 

[Bort62]

Yes, this is the rat's nest wiring unbolted and unravelled and put on plywood so I could figure it out, and get you a nice picture

Just so I got this straight;
the DS2 is the distributor, not the whole system (module, dist, coil, etc.)
I'd much rather get a new distributor than a pick-a-part.

Clean, simple, and lot's of spark.....
that's what I want.

What GM HEI module should I get, what car did it come on?
I need to make it easy on my parts guy.
You know the drill, what year and make, what size engine, automatic or standard, power stearing? blah, blah, blah

I just went through that looking for a price on that DS2, and he told me they were all the same from like 74-81, he double checked and said they all have the same part number in the computer, and it didn't say if it was a Duraspark 1 or 2.

1978 chevy camaro, 350 or 305 V8.

It will have 4 pins. I mounted mine to a 1/2" thick peice of aluminum and bolted the coil to it as well. Then I mounted it to the driver side inner fender. Looks pretty clean.

 

[Anonymous]

do you have a picture, or a diagram on what you hooked up to what?
It would be a huge help.

A DSII from Kragen $54.99
78 camaro module $19.99 or $33.99 for the premium

 

[fordconvert]

Read the gofastforless stuff, he has pictures and drawings of how to hook stuff up, also explains the differnces in differnt kinds of ignition systems.

Also read the topics at the top of this page I think there are 2 that cover everything you are asking about.

http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21002

http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30894

 

[Bort62]

I can make a drawing for you if you like. Its pretty easy.