Duraspark/HEI swap help

[lilbdfrd]

So I put a new/rebuilt distributor from the parts store in and wired in an h.e.i. module . The motor cranks but won’t start and I’m not sure what wire runs power to the coil. I have a purple wire going a few yellow wires connect to the coil plug in and a green wire to the coil plug in. Any help to get spark/ power to hei would be great

 

[lilbdfrd]

Pictures

 

[RonD]

So you have a Duraspark distributor, won't work with TFI distributor

And it is wired like this: http://www.carbdford.com/tech/HEI/hei2.gif
To the distributor and HEI module

And you are using key ON full time power on Red wire
Back in 1984 there can be 2 ignition wires, one has power with key on but NO POWER when cranking, other wire has power when cranking but NO POWER key on.

 

[lilbdfrd]

I have a durspark distributor and the stock 84 coil. I don’t have the red wire hooked up to the coil. I have a purple wire that goes to yellow to the coil.i have the HEI module wired like the diagram. It had spark before I tore the computer wiring out and now it don’t.

 

[lilbdfrd]

Here is the “main plug” in

 

[RonD]

Up to you on what wire colors you use, but must be wired as shown in the drawing, 3 wires to Distributor, 2 wires to coil, + and - matters on the coil and HEI module

You don't need any of the computer wiring, but you do need a key on power wire, hooked to the Coil + wire which also powers the HEI module via its wire to coil +
Look for a Red/light green stripe wire, that should have power key on
Thats the only wire you use from the old spark system

 

[lilbdfrd]

Thanks for all your help. I found a red wire with green strip it come from the main harness to another plug in. Not the main 6 wire plug in I’m just not sure what to use??‍.

 

[lilbdfrd]

This purple wire (circled in red) was connected to about 5 yellow wires that originally went to the stock 84 coil.

 

[8thTon]

An easy way to boost a Duraspark system is to use a TFI coil with it. I did this years ago on a full-size Jeep 360 with a Ford Duraspark ignition - it made a huge improvement.

 

[lilbdfrd]

So ditch the stock 84 coil and get a TFI ?

 

[lilbdfrd]

I have the hei all wired up rough I will make it nicer once it runs.

 

[8thTon]

So ditch the stock 84 coil and get a TFI ?

The weak part of the original Duraspark system was the can-style coil, but looking at RockAuto it appears Ford was already using the open frame TFI-style coil in ‘84, so my comment is incorrect. Doubt you’ll see any improvement from using the HEI module.

 

[lilbdfrd]

So is the yellow wire on the coil the “hot” and green the ground wire?

 

[lilbdfrd]

The weak part of the original Duraspark system was the can-style coil, but looking at RockAuto it appears Ford was already using the open frame TFI-style coil in ‘84, so my comment is incorrect. Doubt you’ll see any improvement from using the HEI module.

Im sure I have the tfi style coil , you can see it in my picture.

 

[RonD]

So is the yellow wire on the coil the “hot” and green the ground wire?

Yes, that can be the case

But its usually Red + and Green -

Not familiar with yellow being used as +, but never had a 1984 Ranger

And just FYI coil "-" is not a ground per say it is the control signal that sparks the coil
Coil gets 12volts with key on, on "+" terminal
The distributor/module connect and disconnect the "-" terminal to spark the coil, it sparks every time it is disconnected
"-" is used because when there were points inside a distributor it was just easier to use "-" than "+" because of possible shorts
The points connected and disconnected "-" on the coil
This type of Electronic ignition just replaces the points opening and closing with transistor opening and closing to cycle "-" terminal on the coil, so no moving parts to wear out, although these can wear out,