I have a complete distributor setup from an 86 efi mustang, and a complete distributor setup from an 85 carbed 5.0 mustang. Which do I use?? I heard to use the duraspark with the 85 distributor...is this correct, since my engine will be converted to carb before it goes in the mav. Or is there a way, and is it better to use the 86 efi distributor setup??? someone wants to buy my 85 dist and duraspark, and I don't want to sell it if I don't need it, and I don't want to keep the old school ignition points distributor, just trying to research my best method of attack, thanks as always, Jeremy
which cam are you using? the roller cams need a special dist gear. The guy I bought my 86 ho efi distrb from changed something under the cap so all it needs is a coil. Hope this helps.
using the stock 86 roller cam. You don't know what he changed do you?? regardless, the 85 dist and msd box sounds like a sure fire thing to me.
You cannot use the EFI unit on a carbed engine. It has no timing advance built in and you can't use the TFI module. Use the 85 and an MSD or Dura Spark II box. Or you can make one up out of late and early parts but the later shaft has to be used. The 5L block casting uses a little longer spacing to the oil pump than the old 302s. In any event you need centrifigal advance and the Dura Spark assembly with a shaft that fully engages the oil pump.
85 GT's are roller blocks if anyone cares, if it is an 85 GT distributor it has the right gear (steel)
Fantastic guys, thanks again!!! I almost sold my 85 roller block distributor, Boy, would I have been upset. I'll keep the 85 oem roller block distributor, and mate that up with my 86 roller block that's going in with the carb. As for the duraspark unit, I assume we are talking about the box on the fenderwell that says "duraspark" on it obviously. Are the advantages of using an msd box over that oem duraspark box that significant??? anyone have any pricing, or real life stories of comparison between the two?? Thanks again!
The Dura Spark does a nice job. The MSD multy spark may be a little smoother starting and running up to 3000 rpm where the multy spark no longer works. You would not see the difference unless you actually compared the two unit in use. The Dura Spark can be made to run hotter by not using the dropping resistor in the feed line. I won't say that it will never have a problem but I ran one this way for 2 years without box or coil failure.
I should have checked before I posted but my dist is not an 86 like i thought. Its an old points dist with the points removed. I havent found out what he replaced the points with but the module was around $80 if that helps.
