G'day, I have recently bought a new electronic distributor to replace the points style setup on my 250 2V powered XP falcon. The distributor is a DSM Ignition 'Engine Works' unit, and they recommended using a Bosch MEC-718 coil, which I also bought and used. The car ran when these were installed, but when driving the engine would lag and cut out at cruising speed. The car accelerated fine, but I had to pump the throttle all the time just to keep the thing running, and it smelt as though it was running way too rich. The coil was definately receiving a full 12V, and I set it to about 10 degrees advanced. Any more and i got detontation, and any less it just ran worse. I have since replaced the original distributor and crappy old coil, and the engine is running fine again. Has anybody else had anything sililar happen when switching to electronic ignition? Or does anybody have any suggestions? I thought maybe i could have a fiddle with the jetting, or maybe it's something to do with using the same ignition leads? Any help would be much appreciated
Check the directions and see if it needs ported or manifold vacuum for the advance. It sounds like the stock dizzy uses one type and the new dizzy uses the other. Also check total lead with the new one. Next swap just one unit at a time IE: Coil then Dizzy and check results.
is that dsm deal made in china? why dont you get a stock electronic dizzy from a 70s falcon six and use it?
It has been forever since I have messed with this, but I think that fuzzy knight above is on to the answer. If memory serves correct, the stock distributor in your car works from manifold vacuum, in other words requires a strong vacuum at idle. I would be willing to bet that your new distributor works in a more conventional manner and needs "ported" vacuum, or strong vacuum at running speed. I would bet that the way you have it hooked up now it is actually retarding the spark at speed. The quick way to check this is to install the new distributor at 10 degrees initial with the new coil, and cap the vacuum port so you take that out of the equation. Then take it out for a drive. I'll bet stuff is going to be whole bunch better. I can't remember if the stock carb has a ported vacuum or not, but you can attach a vacuum gauge to several ports until you find something that reads 0 at idle and high at running speed (say 2500 RPM). That's the port you want hook up to. Please understand that this is my opinion, and I have not had a stock carb on my Falcon for the better part of say twenty years, but I do remember dealing with the same problems you have when I did. The only other thing I can think of is the coil or pick up in the distributor could be bad, which is just flat bad luck!
Ya know what - I kinda assumed the new distributor had a centrifugal advance. You know what happens when we assume right?! You could actually check that just by popping the cap off and giving the rotor a twist too. I've never been to trusting of timing lights, but then again, my lights instruction sheet started with the phrase "Congladurations you have purchased velly fine timing right." made in china
Those 6's used a later version of the dreaded flathead Load-A-Matic, "dual-ported" vacuum advance only. Read up on how flatheads cope with different dizzies. Based on my experience with an MSD on my flathead, most of the aftermarket dizzies with vac advance put up to 25 deg advance at full vacuum. An adjustable vac can is the answer to trim it down to what you really need.
Yep : Up to about 66-67 the small 144-200 six's used a version of the *))#@^ load-a -matic POS distributor.Could the new one have some form of electronic advance?
I think you got it figured out ...... 1-Took out old distributor 2-installed poorly made china unit 3-car now runs bad 4-reinstall old distributor 5-car now runs ok............. Could it possibly be a junk china distributor etc ????? Send me your old unit and i will clean , service and check curve etc and return same day i get it for $48 plus shipping. Return china stuff and get your money back. These units are really bad quality......... Your old unit is a great little unit and will run for many happy miles....
Thanks for all the help, and yeah i would have to assume that the dizzy is chinese made I probably posted this thread at a bad time, as my car isn't with me at the moment and I'm not old enough to get my licence yet I think checking out the vacuum advance sounds like the best idea at the moment, I'll have to check out whether it is running on ported or manifold vacuum. I've checked out those DSII dizzies off 70's fords before I bought the new dizzy, and there seems to be alot of controversy over whether they fit or not Some say the shaft is too long (they were off the crossflow sixes out here in Aus) I'll have a play with the timing light and switching vacuum postitions when I'm re-united with the Falcon, Cheers
Alright! I'm back with the XP again. It turns out that the stock distributor was running on ported vacuum. I'm not sure if this is different to the non-2V engines, because these things run Stromberg WW's. I tried switching the stock ignition to manifold vacuum advance, and it didn't run too well. I have put the electronic dizy and coil back in, and am running the vacuum advance on manifold vacuum. The car is running great! It is alot more responsive, and i barely have to have my foot on the throttle for cruising. Should give me better mileage. Thanks for the help, Cheers, Will
Cool man cool! Sounds like the world is suddenly a good place! Always is when stuff decides to work right...
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