'77 Duraspark Distributor -- best replacement option

[WheelHorse]

I've searched the forum and just a few threads pop up on what is a good replacement option for a duraspark distributor replacement option.

Does anyone have any experience with any stock type replacements that have lasted an also appear to be of decent quality?

 

[oldiron]

I assume your keeping the duraspark setup and just looking for a good replacement for the stock dist. If so I've always liked the dist for an '82-'84 f-series pickup. The lighter springs let the timing come in a little sooner for more torque on the low end (where you really need it anyway).
Greg

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, you have a very good Ford ignition system. Why do you want to change to something else,? Good luck

 

[broncodriver99]

Are you looking to change systems or just need to replace your distributor? There isn't much out there that will beat the Duraspark setup.

If you are just looking for a replacement distributor, I have had a few of the Cardone (rebuilder) units in my hands. The units that were remanufactured original Motorcraft housings were of pretty good quality. I did have one that had an aftermarket pickup that was poorly riveted and would move around and interfere with the reluctor ring. It's been a while since I have seen one with a Motorcraft housing though. It seems Cardone is now repoping just about everything and their imported Chinese units are nowhere near the quality of even a reman Motorcraft unit. The two import units I have had my hands on had piss poor machining and more slack in the bearings than I would ever trust.

Best bet is finding a NOS or an older reman on Ebay or tracking down an actual Motorcraft unit, new or reman.

What's wrong with your distributor? It may be able to be repaired.

If you are looking for a whole system replacement, I am currently running one of the Pertronix billet distributors. I haven't had any issues with it but swapping to Duraspark is in my near future. I have collected most of the parts, just need to get it done. I have also run several of the Pertronix electronic kits that replace the points in the stock distributor and haven't had any issue with them. I am careful not to leave the ignition on though as that will burn them up.

 

[DirtDonk]

I think he's asking for a good quality "brand" of stock replacement.
The recommendation of the pickup unit is a good one oldiron.

Wheel Horse, I'm not sure of brands anymore. The last time I bought one it was from a Kragen store but was an Accel brand in their "Blueprint" line. I found it to be a very good quality and an upgrade from the standard rebuilt unit of the day. And since it was new I was not required to turn in an old core (that I would not have had anyway) so that was a bonus.

As far as store brands, I'm just not sure what's available out there these days. Or if you can even buy new ones anymore, vs just rebuilts.
That said though, in the old days rebuilt distributors were considered just fine as all the wear items, such as bearings, bushings and points cams (if needed) and advance plates (if worn) had been replaced. Nowadays I'm not so sure.

Good luck. Maybe someone has a recommendation, but perhaps an Amazon search for new replacements will net you something. And searching specifically for Motorcraft or Autolite might do even better.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Ugh, 99 beat me to it!

Paul

 

[WheelHorse]

I went to pull the armature ring off so I could spin the 10 to 15 and turn my total mechanical from 20 to 30 and @#%$#@%^ it snapped the shaft (***Correction the advance sleeve ears broke off***). I did this once and it was smooth as butter, so I'm not sure why this time the camel's back broke.

I was checking out NAPA, I'm not sure if I want to eat 265 + shipping for a performance distributor.

 

[hogfan]

I just bought a reman from o reillys and it is a motorcraft housing . It is a cardone and so far it works very well.

 

[broncodriver99]

I just bought a reman from o reillys and it is a motorcraft housing . It is a cardone and so far it works very well.

That's good to hear. I had pretty much given up on Cardone. Sounds like they may still have some Motorcraft units being remanufactured.

 

[WheelHorse]

I see there are two higher priced options for those who may come upon this thread with a future search:

Ford Muscle Review Professional Products Duraspark Distributor

Professional Products Duraspark page

$265 Dollars plus shipping

"The Ford Duraspark we offer is a high performance unit for those who want a completely stock appearing or factory style electronic distributor. Each Duraspark Electronic Distributor is custom calibrated on a distributor machine and blueprinted for your Ford engine to provide maximum power, torque and instant throttle response. We tune the centrifugal advance using information about the vehicle and engine such as cam duration & lift, carburetor size, compression ratio, vehicle weight and octane of fuel. A super smooth advance curve assures excellent performance and mileage. The vacuum advance is calibrated for maximum fuel economy and light throttle ping is eliminated. The factory center bushing on our Duraspark Distributors is replaced with a full length bronze oil impregnated bushing to provide increased durability and cure top end timing fluctuation, which is a common problem in these distributors due to the weaker stock bushing. Our Duraspark Distributor can be used for a number of applications from everyday street use to all out racing. The distributor is capable of 10,000 rpms with our Dyna-Module and Inferno Coil kit. It will work with other modules and coils, but rpm ability is not guaranteed. Comes with a brass terminal cap and rotor in your choice of blue or red."


$155 Dollar Option

Rein'Car'nation High Performance While they dyno each distributor...it does not mention correcting or rejecting any outside of a certain tolerance.

 

[jckkys]

Your on the right track looking for a 10L 13L degree advance limiting cutout in the sleeve ass. This is a hard part to find, but it's worth looking for to build the best advance curve. You're not likely to get another with a replacement distributor. It sounds like you only need a new shaft. Do you have a 302 or a 351? The shafts are different diameters. I know I have a spare 302 shaft you can have but any junk yard has them too. In any event, keep the 10L 13L sleeve. It will work in any Duraspark distributor. DUI and Performance Distributors don't do anything you can't do yourself. So that would be my recommendation.

 

[WheelHorse]

jckkys....I found out I broke the sleeve (snapped the marked ears off of it). If I were to find another 10 or 13L sleeve I'd be set. The shaft is fine. I made the mistake of getting in a hurry and removing the center retaining clip before prying up on the trigger wheel.

At one time I had a spare duraspark distributor laying around. I asked my dad to search in his garage for it.

I searched CL's hoping to find someone with an old one laying around I could cannibalize, but of course, I couldn't find one local.

 

[jckkys]

I'd be happy to send you a sleeve, but the only 10L'/13L I have is in my '77. These are so hard to find I would have it welded back on. In fact I bet JB Weld epoxy would work. The upper shaft only has to turn the rotor, and that takes no torque. JB claims high temps and oil are no problem.

 

[WheelHorse]

jckkys --- thanks for the offer.

As you were typing, I decided to weld it back together. A little careful aligning and mig action, some grinding and cleaning out the bore with my gun cleaning kit and she's back in action. I figured I had nothing to lose at this point.

 

[jckkys]

I've gone through piles of junk yard Duraspark distributors to find the single 10L sleeve I have. There is no reference to help with year, engine, and model where they can be found.

 

[73azbronco]

Really happy with what this guy did for me. Rebuilt it to better than new, curved it to precisely my camshaft.

Been so long could not tell you what it cost but I think it was way less than the DUI guy

http://www.ignitionengineering.com/

 

[ransil]

I had bad luck on 2 broncos this year with part stroe parts, 2 bad pickup coils ( 1 napa, 1 advance auto and 1 distributor with springs on the mechanical advance so still they might as well welded the weight in.

I would search for good motorcraft used parts.

 

[WheelHorse]

I had bad luck on 2 broncos this year with part stroe parts, 2 bad pickup coils ( 1 napa, 1 advance auto and 1 distributor with springs on the mechanical advance so still they might as well welded the weight in.

I would search for good motorcraft used parts.

From what I've researched is that they are all Cardone remans now. I'm not sure who makes Spectra or Duralast, or if they are any good.

I wish DUI (Performance Distributors) would offer a base distributor with the full length bushing and a set of standard springs that we could curve ourselves for less money. Even an option to buy it without vac advance.

I.E here's a base, well-machined and inspected distributor for $110 bucks plus shipping. You add your own vac advance and curve kit, but at least we know we'd be getting a nicely spec'd starting point.

 

[ntsqd]

.....
I.E here's a base, well-machined and inspected distributor for $110 bucks plus shipping. You add your own vac advance and curve kit, but at least we know we'd be getting a nicely spec'd starting point.

That has been my limited experience with the Professional Products brand, linked in this thread earlier, of D-S II dist's.

 

[gr8scott]

So I was checking out the Ford Muscle article linked earlier, and I blew up the picture of the DUI Duraspark distributor: