Stupid Duraspark swap/fix is KILLING me!

[Shran]

I bought an '84 Ranger a couple weeks ago intending to fix a few minor problems, tune it up, and flip it. The previous owner did some weird ass ignition system hack on it which involved a Bosch distributor out of a '78 Mustang (I think), the computer was still attached and doing something, and the old style coil. All of the vacuum sensors and stuff were gone and it has the right carb, but it was just so hacked up and complex that I wanted to do a quick Duraspark swap and be done.

Keep in mind it was kind of running before the swap, although not very well because the carb was clogged full of shit.

So out came all that garbage and I did the old fashioned Duraspark swap. I did not change the distributor, and I am not sure if that matters or not but it ran fairly well for a while.

My buddy's dad came over and messed with the carb a bit and made it run even worse. I drove it a couple miles and it finally just quit, so I pulled the carb, thoroughly soaked and cleaned it, and put a kit in. I also put a new distributor cap, wires, rotor, and plugs in at the same time.

I cannot get it to run at all. It will not fire on gas or starting fluid. I have fuel at the carb, I have good spark, and I am kind of at a loss. My next step is to run a compression test on it.

I have also tried two different Duraspark modules, one from a 76 F150 and another from a Ranger that has a working Duraspark setup. Could the Bosch distributor be a factor here? Reason I ask is because the tech library lists the non-Bosch one.

I have also not touched the timing at all, and am sure the firing order is right unless it's different with the Bosch distributor.

Any ideas? I am lost.

 

[dangerranger83]

You need to run the Duraspark distributor, it has the vacuum advance on it to advance your timing, if you dont run it then your timing wont advance and it will run like a turd.

The factory distributors timing are advanced by the computer and since Durasparking gets rid of the computer system, theres noting to advance the timing.

As for the distrubutor, I'm not sure if you can run a different type though I cant see it maiing a difference if you do or dont.

 

[Shran]

The distributor I have does have vacuum advance. I'm not using the stock TFI one.

Where should the vacuum line for the distributor be run to? Currently I have it on the passenger side of the carb, down towards the bottom.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

timing

just guessing the timing is correct would not work for me you got spark and fuel find top dead center on #1 and see how close it is to #1 plug wire on cap. sounds like combo of flooding and timing too me

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I have heard you can either use manifold vacuum or ported vacuum for the advance i think either the one on the side under choke or front next to drivers side idle adjust are ported make sure any not being used are plugged. still waiting for the parts to duraspark mine so keep posting and let me know what i should look for

 

[speedysprocket]

You don't want manifold vacuum for the advance. That gives you advance opposite of when you want it. Vacuum you want comes before the throttle plates.