Dura Spark III

Topic: Dura Spark III (Read 996 times) previous topic - next topic

Dura Spark III

May 26, 2009, 06:01:56 PM

I have been working on my '83 Cougar LS for 3 years and I'm down to the last issue - I hope. I have the Dura Spark III ignition system (brown grommet) - most all new components. For those familiar with this system, the distributor position is fixed and cannot be rotated by loosening the hold-down bolt. Apparently with this system you are supposed to line up the notch in the distributor shaft (with rotor off) with a notch in the distributor housing to give the computer a point of reference. The crank position is signalled by the crank position sensor. My problem is that when the notches are lined up (with this fixed-position distributor) and #1 piston is TDC, the #1 contact on the tiered rotor is about 130 deg before firing #1 not the standard 10 deg. I'm fairly certain the crank and cam are in the right positions - Any ideas? Any help is much appreciated.

Chris

Dura Spark III

Reply #1 – May 26, 2009, 06:06:40 PM

Hey Chris glad to see you made it I hope the guys can help out!

Dura Spark III

Reply #2 – May 26, 2009, 11:49:54 PM

My 83 is a 5.0, but I never messed with the timing. I know it uses a crank sensor because it went bad! The distributor is empty (no electronics, just a rotor button). If you need me to look at anything, I can. It runs fine.

CoogarXR

Dura Spark III

Reply #3 – May 27, 2009, 08:36:19 AM

You're saying you can't pull the distributor, index the the rotor to the correct position then reinstall??? Never messed with a III system, but I'd think that's all that's necessary....

Dura Spark III

Reply #4 – May 27, 2009, 09:25:56 AM

I know nothing about the DSIII system. I did some searching (because I found the DSIII system interesting) and found this website:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/469883-duraspark-iii-questions.html

Maybe it can help.

-DZ

DuraSpark III

Reply #5 – May 27, 2009, 10:17:06 AM

Thanks to all for the replies. To index the rotor to 10 deg before TDC you actually have to lift the entire distributor to disengage the gear on the shaft and rotate the shaft a tooth at a time for accuracy - but the distributor itself has to remain in the same position. It's no problem to get the rotor 10 deg before TDC but then the infamous notches don't line up. I'm about ready to grind the little hold-down bolt off so I can rotate the distributor like a NORMAL one. I just don't know how valid the notch requirement is. I think I know why the DuraSpark III was sort of short lived. I guess I'm too old school, if #1 is TDC, the rotor should be ready to fire #1. I guess the crank position sensor must play a larger part then I can comprehend.

Dura Spark III

Reply #6 – May 27, 2009, 10:34:35 AM

BUT... The dist is run from the camshaft is it not??? What is keeping you from doing what I suggested in my first post??? Index the dist to #1 and reinstall... Possibly you'll need to rotate the engine slightly to get it to fall into place... Also a dist usually has to be installed approx one tooth off to be in the correct when it's fully seated(the shaft will move due to meshing with the cam gear)...

Also it's possible to install the wires in the cap to match the rotor position... Just walk them around the amount necessary to put #1 at the rotor... I've done this on a 340 Chrysler engine that has a dist gear in the block that was installed incorrectly(not by me)... Dist shaft only has a flat surface will only install two ways...

Dura Spark III

Reply #7 – May 27, 2009, 01:14:43 PM

Looking at some diagrams in the 84 shop manual, it looks like the "alignment ribs" and the "alignment slot" gets the distributor cap into the proper alignment with the distributor shaft/rotor.
If these are lined up the rotor should be pointing at #1 plug wire.
It is not clear in the diagram if the shaft "alignment slot" can line up 180° out.
You say you are 130° off.
There 45° between plug wires on the cap.
3X45=135 Are you sure you have the #1 wire on the right place?