My new 200 is gonna have to lose the 1981 model year distributor because I am taking off all the electronic, a/c, and emmissions stuff. I am having a hell of a time trying to find a points one. I thought that one from my 170 might fit, but looks like no. I need a source that may carry what I need.... it's a 1981 Ford 200 out of a T-Bird.
I'd leave it in there, just carry a spare control module. Those duraspark distributors are actually a damn sight better than their points equivalent.
The duraspark is a basic simple system. It can stand alone without any other emissions stuff. Search duraspark here and I'd bet a simple wiring diagram comes up. 12v from ign switch to the box and factory 3 wire harness to the dist. I think that's it. Maybe a ground from box to engine.
why did you think the 170 distributor would not fit? is the oil pump drive shaft 1/4" or 5/16" ? and why are you having trouble finding a points 200 distributor? you won't find one by asking for one to fit an '81 model year car, if that's how you're searching. try starting with a '66 model year Mustang. if that pigtail you're seeing is a 4 pin oval plug, all you need now is a DSII module, a DSII specific coil (with the slip on lead cover) and some harness to splice in/add on to the existing engine harness. it's so easy to do, and can be undone in minutes. DSII isn't perfect by any means but it beats hell out of burned points and bad condensers.
And it beats the hell out of the early Load-O-Matic crap too! All you really are going to need is a "blue grommet" dsII module and the appointed coil and you'll never have to worry about ignition again. It has a traditional mechanical advance curve plus vacuum advance so you can run you two barrel and have advance. Just for the record, I believe Ford changed distributors around in '65 for the small six. Check out that web sight I talked about earlier classicinlines.com for a complete rundown on how to wire the dura sparkII unit.
From doing a bit of hunting I can't find any source that says that engine has a computer on it. It has the distributor and module but no computer. If the engine was originally fuel injected it would have a computer for that though. Those distributors an modules are pretty reliable and perform a lot better than the points type distributor in those engines. You should be interested in this site http://www.classicinlines.com/BuildaSix.asp Scroll down to Step 5 ignition system. Sometimes a guy just needs to step up and do a bit more research on a subject and make what he has work as what you already have and want to take off seems to be the desirable setup for those engines.
I agree the dura spark is a great little system. We can make up what ever you want the distributor to be. I take your old distributor ( that come out of the engine) and use a cool old school Mallory unit for a six and machine the bottom to match your old distributor mounting etc. Then we use your drive gear and shaft . Can still use points if you want.. Check out the pics on the web site .. www.bubbashotrodshop.com Glad to help......
The '80-81 200s had, to my recollection, eleven zillion thermo-vacuum switches and an absolute nightmare of vacuum, smog, etc. hoses, but no computer, and the distributor was a nice Duraspark. Oh, and a catalyst the size of a 2lb can of coffee that bolted directly to the manifold. The mid '70s in which this stuff was cooked up was pretty much the muddy bottom of Detroit's engineering slough of despond. The good news is that the late 200s have 4/6 of a 6-bolt SBF bellhousing pattern. I've got one sitting in parts around here, from a project a friend abandoned (well, didn't really abandon, just decided to use a 302 instead), not sure what I'm ever going to do with it...I always figured that horrid cat manifold would be a good place to mount a little turbo for a quick-n-dirty power boost. Treat it like a 2-liter four because that's about what it's got the airflow capacity of, unless you do a whole lot of headwork. Can you get a 200 six in an A chassis?
all that junk is easily removed. most of it actually doesn't DO anything anymore anyway.... it didn't DO much when it was NEW. in the '70's and '80's everybody was trying every trick in the book to keep emissions AND costs down on every unit sold.... a lot of it just didn't WORK outside the lab. some of it made certain engines so unreliable that they forever carry the stain...... not really the fault of the engine, just the operating system. case in point: Ford's Variable Venturi Carburetor. worked like a miracle when it was clean, properly fed vacuum, and given good fuel.... but let that sonofabitch get dirty or lose vacuum........ so clean off that 200 and backdate it with sixties hard parts.
That's not for a computer and this system is EXTREMELY simple to wire up. Easier starting, more power, better fuel economy... I can understand wanting to get rid of the smog crap and the ac, but you really should keep that iginition system. It's a good one. And I'm not just regurgitating overheard opinion here, I've converted several falcon sixes from points to duraspark setups. Easy and effective, a definite upgrade. tada...
Blade, You would likely be ahead to use the module as these guys are telling you. Connect the wires as per the schematic provided above. If you still want a points dist. you should be able to go to any big box parts house and get it. Napa will have it. Just ask for a dist for a 65-69 Falcon or Mustang with a 200 engine. Cheers, Ron
ok, so in reading all of this useful advice I have come to the conclusion that I should keep what I have. I will convert it. So I need... Cap adaptor Cap Rotor Igition coil and Module. Right? Bubba how much to rebuild? Do I send you both? Man you guys are great. I learn more here than I ever did getting yelled at by my dad, who by the way was a mechanic with his own shop.
HA! I like that! Thanks for the luck Ok I'll be shipping it out on Monday. To who's attention? I'm going to PM you. Thanks
You only buy things from people named Bubba or what? Sounds like it's going good so far.. Keep it up...
I'm going to use the 1981 distributor that was on my 200. Can anyone suggest a fairly priced module? Just to be clear... that's all I need, correct? In other words leave that distubutor alone? What about that pigtail thingy. How do I get rid of that? Do I need it? I'm so very confused. Working 12 to 14 a day, this motor, house...uggggg!
NM, I feel stupid... again! I just bought a blue grommet one from Autozone for 28.99 and an ignition coil for 17.99. Duralast/Ignition Control Module Part Number: F102 Alternate Part Number: FO-306 Warranty: Limited Lifetime Duralast/Ignition Coil Part Number: C832 Alternate Part Number: FCV-52 Warranty: 2 YR Let's hope I'm good now.....
Up on the fenderwell, as far away from the exhaust as feasibly possible. I mounted it on the floor under the seat in my econoline.
Blades , looking @ post 26 ..you are on the right track ! FYI, anytime you are feeling nostalgic we will be glad to yell at you < just use the "r*** **d" word > and cover your ears ! LOL Dave
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