• 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.


franklin2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
Messages
3,348
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Bronco II
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
I would not be afraid to run a points distributor with a pertronix conversion. Not as cheap as other options, but should work well.
 


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 have done Pertronix conversions on V-8s, the Duraspark II blue is more reliable, especially if you leave the key switch on for any extended period of time. Unless you get the very expensive newest version, but, last time I checked they did not offer that for the 2.8L.
 

Hale Ranger

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2019
Messages
32
Reaction score
18
Points
8
Location
Tulsa
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
If you don't pay attention, you will pay someone else
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!! 😎
Could you provide the parts list. I am going to convert my 84 Ranger 2.8.
 

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
Chttps://www.therangerstation.com/tech/2-8l-duraspark-conversion/ould you provide the parts list. I am going to convert my 84 Ranger 2.8.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,691
Reaction score
13,147
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
Being these distributors are really hard to find any more... there is an optional distributor with dual vacuum ports that can be use in this conversion.

This is a picture that shows the differences between the two. I marked up the photo to update the above mentioned Tech Article. I'm adding it here to maybe help you find either one and also let members critique the verbiage used to describe them before updating the article.

2.8L dist.diff.jpg
 

RobbieD

2.9l Mafia
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,802
Reaction score
3,308
Points
113
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1984,1990,1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Toonces drives a Ranger . . . . just not very well.
Shouldn't that be "timing challenged port"?

Otherwise, it's perfect! (y)
 

franklin2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
Messages
3,348
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Bronco II
Transmission
Manual
As of a couple of weeks ago, the dual port version is unavailable now also.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

franklin2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
Messages
3,348
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Bronco II
Transmission
Manual
Not bad. Never bought anything over seas. I wonder if you can get caps and rotors for that over here? I think you can get a Bosch cap and rotor over here, but don't know if they are the same.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,987
Reaction score
2,789
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
How can you tell if that distributor is designed for a 2.8 vs 2.9 rotation?
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,987
Reaction score
2,789
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
That works. Been a while since i looked at either one.
 

Hale Ranger

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2019
Messages
32
Reaction score
18
Points
8
Location
Tulsa
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
If you don't pay attention, you will pay someone else
Has anyone ever converted a Cardone 84-2698 to a 30-2691? Looks like you would add a vacuum advance and add Pertronix 1261 electronics to it.

Cardone says the 30-2691 is not obsolete - I replied that if you can't find one it might as well be. :)
 

franklin2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
Messages
3,348
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Bronco II
Transmission
Manual
Has anyone ever converted a Cardone 84-2698 to a 30-2691? Looks like you would add a vacuum advance and add Pertronix 1261 electronics to it.

Cardone says the 30-2691 is not obsolete - I replied that if you can't find one it might as well be. :)
Never tried it. I did look at a 2.9 TFI distributor, the shaft size was different. If the shaft size of the 84-2698 was the same as the 30-2691, it may have possibilities. If you look at the guts of both of the distributors you listed, they are totally different. I don't know why they call the distributor listed on Amazon a "HEI" distributor. HEI is a GM term. That is a Ford TFI distributor that came stock on the 2.8 and the 2.9 in the 1980's. The duraspark has the little start wheel and a different pickup. The TFI has a large wheel with square teeth on it and a different pickup. The duraspark generates a A/C sine wave signal while the TFI generates a square wave signal. But if you could get the shaft to fit, you may be able to modify everything else to fit.

I have both of these distributors, the wore out older Mustang II distributor and I am now running the TFI with locked timing. I just checked my mileage yesterday. I don't get as good fuel mileage in the winter. But as expected, with the locked timing I am only getting 16 mpg gallon on my first mpg check. I am going to check it again, but I was getting 20 mpg. If I drive it very long losing 4 mpg, it won't take long to pay for something else to get adjustable timing back. I keep going back to this thing here.


Reason is, I have been toying with the idea of converting a 2.9 I have to carb. The above would allow me to do that if I ever decided to.
 

Bronco648

Active Member
Joined
May 23, 2019
Messages
414
Reaction score
102
Points
43
Location
Chicago-land, Illinois
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
XL
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
15"
Sorry if this question deserves its own thread but...

What's the consensus when it comes to a mounting location for the Duraspark module? If it's susceptible to heat, are you guys mounting it in the cab?

Also, is anyone using any vibration isolation?

Thanks.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members 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