• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Duraspark conversion.


tw205

Bronco II Rancher.
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
730
Reaction score
976
Points
93
Location
Bronson Michigan
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6” skyjacker 2” body
Tire Size
33x12.5
So I’ve done two of these now and both run fine. I’m looking for input on some things I did to mine that were not mentioned in the tech section used when I took on these projects. When I did mine I chose to make my own wire harnesses as searching for an existing one proved futile. The first conversion, I went by the book on parts needed and it went without a hitch. The second one I decided to use the original coil instead of the one listed in the parts list. It fired up for a bit till the magic smoke escaped the ignition module. Researched causes and concluded either the module wasn’t grounded well or the absence of a ballast resistor caused the failure. A new module, grounded securely, and a ballast resistor were installed and I’ve not had any more issues, although I’ve only ran it for maybe 20 minutes, as it’s not a completed project yet. I went and installed a ballast resistor on the first conversion as well thinking it may release the smoke. My understanding is the duraspark pintos and mustangs used an inline resister incorporated in the wire harness. So I know some of you fellas will have insight for me if I’m right or wrong. And if a ballast resistor is needed we could add that information to the duraspark update @Jim Oaks is doing.
Aaand GO!! 😎
 


ford4wd08

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Messages
1,249
Reaction score
510
Points
113
Location
Alcoa, TN
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD

tw205

Bronco II Rancher.
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
730
Reaction score
976
Points
93
Location
Bronson Michigan
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6” skyjacker 2” body
Tire Size
33x12.5
I think I read thru that while searching for reasons why my module smoked.
I would not be able to show my engine to any friends in fear they would see a GM part on it. My life would be over if they saw that. I would be mocked into isolation. Maybe if I put a FOMOCO sticker on it. 🤔 My friends aren’t that bright.
 

superj

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Oct 1, 2021
Messages
3,029
Reaction score
2,501
Points
113
Location
corpus christi, texas
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
ranger edge
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3 liters of tire smoking power
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
none
Total Drop
none
Tire Size
235s
My credo
Grew up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s
i understand that. none stop because of a chevy part on the truck.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,704
Reaction score
13,159
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Dura Spark ignitions ran an internally resisted coil if I remember correctly.

There would be no need of a ballast resistor if using a resisted coil. I remember the internally resisted coil we used on pointed ignitions were 1.6 ohms... without it would melts the points. Same kinda thing with Dura Spark but it is melting down a switching transistor on the module board.
 

ford4wd08

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Messages
1,249
Reaction score
510
Points
113
Location
Alcoa, TN
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
I think I read thru that while searching for reasons why my module smoked.
I would not be able to show my engine to any friends in fear they would see a GM part on it. My life would be over if they saw that. I would be mocked into isolation. Maybe if I put a FOMOCO sticker on it. 🤔 My friends aren’t that bright.
They'll get over it when it runs great lol. Many aftermarket HEI distributors out there for Ford small block v8's.

Mine is just mounted to aluminum block or heat sink on the fender. I'm going to install my stock cover back over it at some point.

@RonD maybe you can convince him on the benefits of the HEI lol
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,704
Reaction score
13,159
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
i think the biggest advantage with GM HEI is you can use an un-resisted coil with the potential of 60kv. Dura spark coils are like a 40kv potential.
 

tw205

Bronco II Rancher.
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
730
Reaction score
976
Points
93
Location
Bronson Michigan
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6” skyjacker 2” body
Tire Size
33x12.5
I’m not opposed to the HEI module. I was more looking for whys and whatfors. So assuming the parts listed in the tech section included a coil that is internally resistored would give reason to why I had no issues on the first duraspark. i Looked up the coils listed at autozone ( no tech info ) and Napa (says voltage 12v ). I’ve yet to solder up my wire harness so maybe I’ll check into HEI module before I commit. Thanks for the info guys. Good knowledge to posses. 😎
 

ford4wd08

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Messages
1,249
Reaction score
510
Points
113
Location
Alcoa, TN
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
i think the biggest advantage with GM HEI is you can use an un-resisted coil with the potential of 60kv. Dura spark coils are like a 40kv potential.
Which means more horse powa from more spark :):)

Kidding of course, probably helps the spark be more consistent.

Knock on wood, but I think I have my 2.8 running pretty good. Don't forget to set the lash on the valves, can make a big difference on these old engines.
 

tw205

Bronco II Rancher.
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
730
Reaction score
976
Points
93
Location
Bronson Michigan
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6” skyjacker 2” body
Tire Size
33x12.5
Which means more horse powa from more spark :):)

Kidding of course, probably helps the spark be more consistent.

Knock on wood, but I think I have my 2.8 running pretty good. Don't forget to set the lash on the valves, can make a big difference on these old engines.
Valves got adjusted yesterday. I installed new rocker arm shaft supports and a set of baffles. 😎
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,704
Reaction score
13,159
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Which means more horse powa from more spark :):)

Kidding of course, probably helps the spark be more consistent.

Knock on wood, but I think I have my 2.8 running pretty good. Don't forget to set the lash on the valves, can make a big difference on these old engines.
High energy coils are kinda like big batteries with lots of CCA. You don't really need it... but it's nice to have it.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,475
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
Duraspark modules are apt to fail if the coil resistance is too low. I used an external resistor and a low resistance coil I already had. Stock Duraspark will work great with .044-.046 plug gap and reasonable compression. My Mustang 302 is zero deck with Speed Pro pistons and GT40 heads and it runs Durapsark, too.
 

franklin2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
Messages
3,351
Reaction score
1,712
Points
113
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Bronco II
Transmission
Manual
Ford always used a resistor feeding the coil + terminal on stock duraspark II systems. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

What you are doing when the ignition module completes the ground to the coil, is "charging" the coil up. When the module initially completes the circuit, the current through the module to the coil primary is very high. As the coil "fills up" the current steadily decreases. When the module opens the circuit, the "charge" in the coil dumps to the high tension side and travels down the sparkplug wire to the plug to create the spark. The resistor limits the amount of current that runs through the coil primary, which also limits the current through the module. Too much current through the module shortens it's life.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,475
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
/\ /\ Like he said, Ford mostly use a pink resistor wire but a separate resistor added will do the same job and preserve the ignition module.
 

4x4prepper

Active Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
507
Reaction score
215
Points
43
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
I converted from TFI, to points, then when running correctly, then to duraspark II. Here is what I am using:

ignition coil
Accel 8140
AdvanceAuto 2018-04-08


Ign. Resistor:
BWD RU19
O'Reillys 2015-05-01
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

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

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top