79 F-150 overhaul for dad

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I cannot rememeber for sure because it has been 10-12 years since i put the booster on my 77 F250 camper special...but i seem to remember a plastic piece like that...i cant recall if i managed to slide it on the new booster or i just tossed it.


Either way it went togther fine

Wish I wouldn’t have mangled the plastic bit now, lol. I thought it wasn’t needed and just ripped it out. I took a picture of the non-mangled side, lol

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Wish I wouldn’t have mangled the plastic bit now, lol. I thought it wasn’t needed and just ripped it out. I took a picture of the non-mangled side, lol

After i thought about it more im pretty sure i tossed mine.

Only reason i changed it in first place was i broke the vacuum nipple lol

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

After i thought about it more im pretty sure i tossed mine.

Only reason i changed it in first place was i broke the vacuum nipple lol

This truck, except for the tires, anything rubber is not very rubbery anymore. I’ve broken a few vacuum hoses. They weren’t visibly dry rotted but they weren’t flexible either. The brake master cylinder was dry but the lines still had fluid and the booster does not appear to be healthy either. Just reluctant to take any chances on this thing especially the way dad is about it. When I get it back together, I don’t want any problems, because I’ll hear about forever.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Almost forgot, the factory electric ignition thing is junk. Something has drained out of the box. Dad said that is the 3rd one, they died frequently. Is there like a Duraspark or something for these?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Almost forgot, the factory electric ignition thing is junk. Something has drained out of the box. Dad said that is the 3rd one, they died frequently. Is there like a Duraspark or something for these?

That ignition box is duraspark.

I know switching to GM style HEI is pretty common....but really on a otherwise stock truck id stick with duraspark. 3 modules in almost 50 years isnt bad lol.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

That ignition box is duraspark.

I know switching to GM style HEI is pretty common....but really on an otherwise stock truck id stick with duraspark. 3 modules in almost 50 years isnt bad lol.

3 modules in 62-ish k…

It hasn’t been driven since 1990

 

[rusty ol ranger]

3 modules in 62-ish k…

It hasn’t been driven since 1990

Oh gotcha.

There are conversion kits out there to go to HEI.....points are also an option.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just go back with another module, it is a pretty reliable system. Throw one under the seat if you want.

I have ran it on my truck for 20 years and just had my first one go bad.

The biggest problem is all the wiring/connections which you still have if you run stealth HEI. If he is so fussy about his truck he won't like the big ugly HEI distributor taking the place of his factory air cleaner assembly.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Just go back with another module, it is a pretty reliable system. Throw one under the seat if you want.

I have ran it on my truck for 20 years and just had my first one go bad.

The biggest problem is all the wiring/connections which you still have if you run stealth HEI. If he is so fussy about his truck he won't like the big ugly HEI distributor taking the place of his factory air cleaner assembly.

That must be what’s on a family friend’s truck. He was pitching a fit about “all that junk” under the hood to me and was asking me about it awhile back. I know very little about the 70’s Fords. Most of my knowledge revolves around 86-07 RBVs and 89-96 F-series.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That must be what’s on a family friend’s truck. He was pitching a fit about “all that junk” under the hood to me and was asking me about it awhile back. I know very little about the 70’s Fords. Most of my knowledge revolves around 86-07 RBVs and 89-96 F-series.

You need to brush up on your 86-07 RBV knowledge, 2.0 Rangers had Duraspark thru 1988.

Duraspark II Ignition Basics - The Ranger Station

Duraspark II Ignition Basics - This ignition system is a popular swap into earlier cars and trucks. Here's an overview.

www.therangerstation.com

There really isn't much too it, like 6 wires go to the module. But you have two connectors at the module to corrode and one at the dizzy is the biggest issue after 30-50 years.

I ran my truck all over with it and THE ONLY time it let me down was in the middle of a river when like 3 drops of water got into the back of the replacement O'Reilly distributor connector. Factory connectors were rubber filled, parts store replacement ones are just hollow plastic.

You can get replacement harnesses with the nicer connectors but they are knocking on MSD ignition system money...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You need to brush up on your 86-07 RBV knowledge, 2.0 Rangers had Duraspark thru 1988.

Duraspark II Ignition Basics - The Ranger Station

Duraspark II Ignition Basics - This ignition system is a popular swap into earlier cars and trucks. Here's an overview.

www.therangerstation.com

There really isn't much too it, like 6 wires go to the module. But you have two connectors at the module to corrode and one at the dizzy is the biggest issue after 30-50 years.

I ran my truck all over with it and THE ONLY time it let me down was in the middle of a river when like 3 drops of water got into the back of the replacement O'Reilly distributor connector. Factory connectors were rubber filled, parts store replacement ones are just hollow plastic.

You can get replacement harnesses with the nicer connectors but they are knocking on MSD ignition system money...

I’m aware that Rangers had Duraspark but never really worked with it at all.

Dad said these modules on his failed without warning regularly which made me question if these were actually Duraspark.

If necessary I can build a harness with better plugs.

I had wondered about cost of the MSD system because I have an MSD Blaster coil.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I’m aware that Rangers had Duraspark but never really worked with it at all.

Dad said these modules on his failed without warning regularly which made me question if these were actually Duraspark.

If necessary I can build a harness with better plugs.

I had wondered about cost of the MSD system because I have an MSD Blaster coil.

My dad fought them with his '80 F-350 in the early 90's. OE module died so he stuck a parts store in it and then another and then another. Eventually he bumped into a Ford guy that said you gotta stay with Ford modules because at the time parts store ones were junk.

Dad complained about it for years after but the $200 Ford module lasted until he sold the truck 20+ years later.

Much contrary to his $.02 I ran a parts store module without issue until recently.