Carb'd ignition options?

[YungICY]

Hey guys, I'm getting my 85 2.3 rebuilt here in the next week or so and I'd like to start ordering some parts so I have them when I'm done putting the motor back together. My 85 is currently FI but id like to switch it to carb'd. What are my options (on the budget side of pricing) as far as distributors go? So far all I'm really seeing is a procomp dist which I've read a lot of bad things about, and an msd for way out of my price range. I did however come across a guy selling a couple of used ones that came off of a ministock racer but he said the vacuum advance is welded shut for racing. If it'll work for my off road prerunner lead foot application I don't mind but I'm not sure if that would be a wise move or not.

 

[RonD]

You will need to find a Coil, a Duraspark distributor for a 2.3l and an GM HEI module(under $20 new).

Picture of the wiring here, all 5 of them, lol: http://www.gofastforless.com/ignition/tfi.htm

TFI is an option but you really need to use a computer for spark timing, Duraspark used vacuum advance

 

[YungICY]

Thanks Ron. What 2.3's had duraspark?

 

[YungICY]

Would a courier 2.3 sohc engine be the same as the ranger 2.3 sohc? If so I just found a dist. (crossing fingers)

 

[RonD]

Ford used the 2.3l durasprak in '74 Pinto and up and in other smaller Ford/Mercury cars to about '81/'82, when they switch to TFI.
Late '70's Courier and Mazda B-series also used them I believe

 

[tomw]

Umhhh. The 1974 was an orphan ignition. Last of the points systems designed and built. I had one, and may even have some slightly used points down in the basement.
The duraspark was a 1975 on for the 2.3lima.

I have an 85 with EFI, and would not trade it for a carb'd version. The 74 with the 2-bbl Holley-Weber was nothing to write home about. Max mpg ever gotten in a Pinto wagon was 24mpg. The Flat-Faced sheet-of-plywood aerodynamics Ranger will get 24mpg with zero trying on my part. If I want to feather-foot and max my mileage, I can get 26-27 in town. You will never match that with a carburetor. The Holley-Weber was decent for the time, but was not as good as the EFI with ten-plus years more development.
If you look at the EFI components, there just aren't that many in 1985. And the TFI will produce a very good and stable spark, optimized by the computer, vs the centrifugal force/spring & vacuum diaphragm of the previous years or Dura-Spark.
May be there is an 1983-4 version of Dura-spark that would fit. I dunno.
tom

 

[Mikel89us]

Don't do any of the above! You have an excellent distributor already. It only takes 3 wires to make the efi dizzy run the engine. You will not have any kind of timing advance, but if its a toy, who needs it? Set the timing at 28* advanced to start with, and play with it a bit. If it has spark knock, back it off a degree at a time till its gone. If it doesn't, advance it two degrees at a time till you get spark knock (test drive it in all gears but don't lug it). Once you develop a spark knock, back it off a degree at a time till its gone. Thus will cost you nothing except time, and a few bucks in wiring connectors or solder.

 

[Mikel89us]

I also agree if you don't have to, don't switch to carb. Efi is more consistent and efficient. Not to mention that the cam is meant for efi, and the carb wont be as efficient as it has the potential to be.

 

[YungICY]

I really don't mind running the efi. My main thing is that I've cut the front clip off my truck and I like to get rid of as much wiring as possible. Maybe you can point me in the right direction as far as removing some of the wiring harness. I plan to run all aftermarket gauges.



Also I should mention that I am shaving the head .15" with the rebuild and also running a pretty beefy cam (comp cam 280).

 

[Mikel89us]

Where the wiring runs through the firewall from the ecu to the engine bay. Anything in that harness must stay. There are a few wires from the dash harness that you must keep as well, but that's just power and switched power.

 

[YungICY]

Pulled the trigger on the carb. Really didn't wanna deal with wiring haha.