duraspark ignition warning

[Indiana,Dave]

I had a problem with the coupe. The wires coming out of the ignition box on inner fender have rubbed through. The plastic clip had broke and wires rubbed on frame rail below the box. I replaced the box and installed a new plug on the distributor side of the plug. I used a piece of plastic
wiring flex conduit and glued it to the frame rail below the plug for insulation in case new clips break. I want all to know this is a common problem on the Mustang and Capri's I checked 6 cars in bone yard and
4 of them had the same chaffing problem on the wiring harness. This would be on the 83 84 85 models with Dura spark ignitions.

The coupe is back up and smoking em.......

[Sandy]

FINALLY something bad in wich I am not included. I actullay cannot believe it. R-U sure it does not include 1986s.?

[negusm]

The wiring is notoriously known for getting brittle. May car hasn't had this problem yet.

BTW, did you replace the box with a FORD unit or an aftermarket one? A Ford unit will last decades. An aftermarket one will last 6 months. This is one place not to skimp on.

-Mike

[U-MAN]

Hi! Just to back up what Negusm had said, The wiring covering dose get very brittle in those year cars. Found that in the '83 Crimson Cat I had also.

[negusm]

Sandy, your car doesn't use the Duraspark setup.

-Mike

[Indiana,Dave]

I purchased a NAPA box, however since the car is back up and running. I had the original tested and it tested good four times. Man at parts store
says " if it tests bad it's bad. If it tested good it may or may not work because testing machine can't replicate the engine start,load etc...
I will put original back on next winter while I am puttering and see if it works.. Sandy, dodges another hot round

[negusm]

Keep both. I would put the Ford one back on and keep the NAPA for a back up. The only reason Duraspark gets a bad name is because of the cheap ass replacement aftermarket boxes people buy.

Well, those and the suckass Ford wiring. But the wiring isn't the box's fault.

-Mike

[Indiana,Dave]

I have spoke to a couple engine builders and dura spark is a good ignition
as long as the wiring stays in good shape. However, when it starts
to act up it can be difficult to trouble shoot without the Ford Manuals.

That said, it is suspect on motors that pull over 6000 rpm.. some engine builders say it can't hold continous spark at high RPM I am not an engine
builder. If I was going to run high RPM on regular basis I would probably
use an Accel or Mallory aftermarket unit. Regardless of what distribuor/ignition is used clean and tight ground wires are imperiative to
a good spark. :wink:

[ChuckG]

I thought it was rev-limited to 5850??? Maybe that was 6250?

[negusm]

No rev limiter on Duraspark boxes.

For that you do need to go with another box.

[ChuckG]

Really? I know it's somewhere in the electronics.

I have heard an MSD does solve many of these problems.

[Indiana,Dave]

MSD would solve alot of potential problems. However some detail oriented car judges would have a problem with a non stock ignition in a stock class.
I am going to put the FORD box back on the car. If it works I will keep the NAPA box for a spare. What really yanks my crank is I noticed
yesterday the new box is made in CHINA....... :cry: :evil: :roll:

[tfs2121]

when i pulled my box out it was still the original 23 year old box. once i had a no spark and the box had a bad ground. make sure the case of the box has a good ground.

almost all aftermarket electronics parts are made in china. most of the dealer parts are made in canada or mexico.

[negusm]

MSD would solve alot of potential problems.

Unless your car is severely modified, it won't solve anything, and will be less reliable. The Ford boxes are very good at putting out strong spark.

-Mike