Posted by Joe Divito (IP: 207.239.0.99) on January 18, 2000 at 19:34:23:
In Reply to: Re: Duraspark? posted by Dan Starnes on January 18, 2000 at 00:27:35:
: Good question Charlie, now that you spark my memory. The 'solid state' ignition is not the same as the duraspark. I have a 78 302 in mine now and I remember something different, but cannot remember the details of it. When I find the info I will forward it to you. Dan
:
: : Thanks, Dan, I found that Duraspark was first offered in 1977. The distributor caps changed in 1975, so I assumed something in the ignition changed. Was "solid-state" the same as Duraspark? Thanks -CP
==================
From the information I have, the answer is "yes." What Ford called Duraspark in '77 and up is essentially the same, with some improvements.
Ford first offered solid-state (electronic) ignition in California for the '74 model year, and to all 50 states in '75. This first generation system was simply refered to as a "breakerless" ignition. Essentially, the distributor cap and rotor, and (I believe) the distributor itself were unchanged from the points type ignition. Ford just added the magnetic pick up inside the distributor, and extra wiring to a solid-state "black box" (well, actually it's not black) which did the actual work that points used to do.
This system continued with minor wiring design changes through '76 (nothing major, though). In 1977, Ford introduced a more major revision of this system, and renamed it "Duraspark." The main changes were an increase in the spark voltage (to fire a wider spark gap for improved emissions), and a redesigned distributor, cap, and rotor. The Duraspark system also featured heavier gauge spark plug wires. However, the basic design (and wiring) layout was pretty much based on the older 'breakerless' design.
I can vouch for the similarity of the Duraspark system to the earlier breakerless design since I had to replace the ignition module (aka that "black box"). My car is a 1976 model, and has the older "breakerless" ignition. The replacement box actually has the "Duraspark" logo on it (whereas the factory original module did not). Three years later, I am still running just fine.