[DoubleVision]

Not a Ford guy, which is reason why I'm asking. My nephew has a mud play thing he got from a friend which is a F250. It's got a 351W. It came with a "Varible ratio" carb which was no more good so he changed it to standard 2 barrel. The distributor seems to operate off of some sort of computer control.
He wants to swap it over to a standard Ford distributor that has vacuum advance. Anyone have any tips on how to wire it up and make it work?
Also, whats a good spark timing spec for these engines?
Much appreciated.

[cobalt327]

The Ford electronic distributors are supposedly good units, but what I would do is swap it for something I was a lot more familiar with- like a HEI distributor for it. That's one example, there are others.

With a mild cam and stock heads the timing figures will be around 34-36 max degrees total, somewhere around 8-12 degrees initial, you know the drill.

[Irelands child]

The first thing that he has to do is make sure that it is a 351, not a 302 distributor as they are not interchangeable. Then next, let us know which one he ended up with - there are two versions with Dura Spark and then an third with the TFS (it's actually the computerized Dura Spark but mounted on the side of the distributor. Here's a good write up on the Dura Spark: http://webpages.charter.net/1bad6t/duraspark.html . As many Dura Spark modules have a 'history', often some run the GM version in a gutted module: http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/igni...park-case.html. I've never had a problem so haven't tried this mod, plus am now using a full MSD system

As far as timing - 9-12 BTDC has always been good for the 351's that I've run and set with the vacuum disconnected though you really shouldn't see any at idle(vacuum line is PORTED/below throttle plates)

[Custom10]

If it really is a mud play thing then just this once I say,,,lock it all out, no vac advance. Have it timed at 18, mark dist to block or use a stop. Then time it at 35, mark dist or block. Set it on kill for the mud blast and back to stun for the way back to home or the trailer,,,trailer that is were you find most of these ford play things

ok fly the mail boys

Hmm maybe there is a way change timing with variable voltage on this fancy blue oval distributor rather than twisting it.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by Custom10

If it really is a mud play thing then just this once I say,,,lock it all out, no vac advance. Have it timed at 18, mark dist to block or use a stop. Then time it at 35, mark dist or block. Set it on kill for the mud blast and back to stun for the way back to home or the trailer,,,trailer that is were you find most of these ford play things

ok fly the mail boys

Hmm maybe there is a way change timing with variable voltage on this fancy blue oval distributor rather than twisting it.

The white wire is a timing retard, there might be a way to use it to start and/or use to drive home from the bogs if the timing is locked out, or if the initial timing was too much for the starter to crank the engine hot.

There's a couple links, wiring diagrams etc. here I threw together earlier (until I can research it better, and/or someone else adds more to the page ) that may be of some use.

[timothale]

A lot of the first Ford modules were prone to heat failure A friend used to drive a new truck off the assembly line home every day as an extended quality test drive. In the summer he always left with a 44 oz cup of ice just in case to get home.

[LATECH]

Read this. It is pretty cool.
http://street2mud.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99
Pretty cool info.

[DoubleVision]

Real good info in all the links included, thanks guys.
However, I think when he seen how cheap he could get a drop in HEI such as cobalt shows he's thinking of going that route.
Thanks again guys.