2.8 duraspark conv. worth it?


OldJunk

15+ Year Member

Joined
Nov 3, 2008
Messages
218
Points
3,101
City
Springfield OR
Vehicle Year
1984ish
Transmission
Manual
Done everything else, new carb, emiss,complete rebuild ,runs great with TFI. I get 16 /21 mpg with 3.73s and 31s, got enough power to pull 1,200 lbs boat at 60 mph in 5th no problem, 4th on hills. not a stoplight sensation but runs well enough to stay with traffic and fast lane on freeway. I just wonder if the benefits of conv. are enough, mpg? power? reliability? would welcome any feedback. truck is 84 4x4 long bed w/ dual tanks.
 
If you got a new feedback carb I would wait until you have a problem until you fix it.

I did the duraspark conversion, it runs better because the stock distributor was shot, but with the stock carb I am getting half the milage you are...
 
I drive pretty conservative, and the carb is a rebuilt 2100 off a 70 302. Im thinking if it aint broke dont fix it.?
 
OldJunk said:
I drive pretty conservative, and the carb is a rebuilt 2100 off a 70 302. Im thinking if it aint broke dont fix it.?
Click to expand...

Right, but... how did you get the 2100 to work? I tried one (I think mine was a 71 or 72 though) and it was really slow to come back to idle. I put heavier return springs on the linkage and even had an assistant push it back but the engine didn't seem to respond it it.
 
You got it , heavy return spring ,mod the mount holes and lean the mix out, says its only 268cfm? BTW all the stock emiss crap got "lost" during the rebuild . only TFI remains.
 
OldJunk said:
You got it , heavy return spring ,mod the mount holes and lean the mix out, says its only 268cfm? BTW all the stock emiss crap got "lost" during the rebuild . only TFI remains.
Click to expand...

Where did you get the CFM of the carb?

Mine is durasparked with most of the emissions stuff gone as well. It seemed to mount up fine, but just wouldn't go back to idle, even if it was mechanically forced. It did have a lot more power than it did with the stock one, but it was too scary to drive very much.

I have it set up for a 260ci I think, the smallest engine the instructions list. I figured it must be too big for my 171ci, as the applications went up to a 390.
 
Looked it up in 70 FORD shop manual, yours may have had a slightly bent throttle shaft...it doesnt take much to bend them . trust me.
 
I took mine off a 69 302 and had to enlarge the throttle plate holes in the adaptor otherwise it would not allow the plates to go wot now to get it to run at low speed with out bucking or snorting.
 
If you have the truck running well with the TFI, I would just leave it. The TFI ignition is higher voltage and the spark advance is electronic as opposed to mechanical, which is always a bonus. I know from experience with my truck that parts for the Duraspark distributors (like caps and rotors) are getting harder and harder to find. So much so that I picked up a TFI cap and rotor to see if I could modify it to fit a Duraspark distributor.

Hope this helps.
 
Yeah ,thats what i thought im going to go with it as is, runs well. now, if anyone has some of those 85 aerostar headers.....lets talk.
 
Without the stock carb there is no TPS so the ECA (computer) isn't getting the signals it needs to adjust the timing properly.
The stock factory duraspark pick up is identical to what MSD uses in their high dollar aftermarket distributors. The biggest difference between the two is the coil. If you go to duraspark DO NOT use the old oil filled, round coil. The e-core TFI coil will work much better.
 
I know about the timing issue, set to 12 deg. All i can say is it gets better mpg and lots more power than it did stock. I think my kid used the 2150 feedback carb for target practice.
 
Your timing is fixed, it can't advance.
If you are happy now, you will be happier with the DuraSpark.
 
I think i will SLOWLY start accumulating the needed parts, no hurry. Future project.
 
I have a pair of the Aerostar/2.8 tubular exhaust manifolds. The problem is that they don't fit the Ranger chassis. I would be happy to be rid of them but, I don't have the time to deal with shipping, Sorry.
There are actual 2.8/Ranger headers out there, I've seen a few. Racer Walsh used to have them but, I don't think they do anymore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events & Gatherings

Where We Were in 2025 – The Ranger Station

Latest posts

Featured Rangers

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

TRS Latest Video

Official TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

IMG_4690.JPEG
IMG_4689.JPEG
IMG_4688.JPEG
IMG_4679.JPEG
IMG_4656.JPEG
IMG_4625.JPEG
IMG_4562.JPEG
IMG_4561.JPEG
IMG_4560.JPEG
IMG_4559.JPEG
IMG_4558.JPEG
IMG_4445.JPEG

Product Suggestions

Back
Top