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Ford Duraspark question
I have the Ford Duraspark ignition on the 460 crate motor in SPF1052. It is working quite well and I'm happy with it.
That is NOT a CDI (capacitive discharge) IS IT? I have a new Pertronix digital rev limiter that I had gotten for the Mini and that car's just about sold. I'd like to install it on the Cobra for protection but it will not work with CDI. It has the choice for 4,6, or 8 cyl. and adjustable in 100rpm increments. http://www.vintageperformance.com/re...ev_limiter.htm |
Just an opinion.
Dump the DuraSpark, get an MSD and the built-in limiter. Engineering advantages of the MSD are major. It puts multiple spark discharges (hence, MSD) into the plug under 3000 rpm and keeps the plug clean, better fuel burn at start and low rpm (particularly if cold and rich) and is near bullet-proof. It works. Look under the hood of every nearly professional US race car and most non-pro... i would not advise putting your Pertronix limiter anywhere near the Duraspark unless Pertronix says so in their literature or an email. |
No argument here, I agree, as I have the MSD 6AL in 2 other cars and they're great. However, the I haven't found anything wrong with the Duraspark; car starts at first kick, accelerates like a bull in heat with no misses, and revs strong up to 6ooo without missing a beat. I figured for half the price, I can at least get the over-rev protection with the Pertronix at $122.
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If it works, it works.
Meanwhile, unless the Pertronix will rev limit on the low voltage side of the Duraspark, for instance the points lead, putting it in the Duraspark circuit might pop it or both. Sorry i cannot quite recall how the internals of the DuraSpark works, but the easiest/fastest way to excite a coil primary is to discharge a nice wopping capacitor into it (CD system.) Seems to me that is also how the DuraSpark works, but i admit i've sorta forgotten. Look it up in a book somewhere. Meanwhile, check with Pertronix for suitability and where to insert. Better to keep on the shelf for another day than fry it forever. |
Actually, MSD made many of the the Duraspark ignitions for Ford. Instead of multiple sparks like the MSD, the Duraspark runs a longer duration spark than the older points type ignitions. BUT, the longer spark does not last as long as the multiple sparks produced under 3,000 RPM by the MSD ignition.
Recently I had some ignition problems with my car, and send my MSD box back to the factory to get checked out. Temporarily, I ran a Duraspark ignition box, and there really was no performance difference I could tell. |
Good advise. I'll call Pertronix and ask about compatibility and wiring. It looks like Billy Andrews jumped the ballast resistor on my system (to get a hotter spark?). The only mod I've done so far is paint the ugly tan dist. cap gunmetal grey.
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Yea, that color is the second reason i went to the MSD. Got the nice billet dist. and wide cap system. Had to grind off a little of the air cleaner base, but not enough to spoil the air seal, just close.
It really woke up my 385hp FORD crate, along with exchanging the rockers to 1.7 ratio (and indexing the plugs away from the valves.) Good luck. |
I agree to dump the duraspark as it will either fail or start limiting your top end performance at some time in the future. I've seen it tons of times. I have I had 4 SPF cobras and dump it each time.
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Aaahhh...A-OK
As a follow up, I installed the Pertronix digital rev limiter after confirming its compatibility with the Ford Duraspark system. It was an easy and hassle-free 3-wire hookup and actually works quite well. Set at 6K, the first burp came in at just after 5900, which could just be the accuracy of the Smiths tach.
I've heard of the woes with the Duraspark but until mine starts to show problems, I think I'll wait before swapping with an MSD. So far, it has worked flawlessly.:3DSMILE: |
Put one on the boards for DuraSpark. Glad to hear it worked. Got to file that in the little grey cells.
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Of course, after I had installed the rev limiter, I find out that Pertronix has another product that has the rev limiter circuitry and additionally creates the multiple spark CDI capability to the Duraspark; thus combining the long duration and multiple spark technology. $300 or so. Brings you up to the cost of the MSD 6AL conversion, though.
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