Duraspark Cap

kountzecobra · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2002, 07:00 PM

Has anyone tried to use a standard cap and rotor on a Ford Duraspark electronic distributor? I need the clearance for my front carb and I did not want to go back to a points distributor on my 351 Cleveland. Ignition has a MSD 6AL box also. Thanks, David.

Rick Parker · #2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2002, 11:06 AM

Yes it will fit, you may need to change the clips that secure the cap. Originally Ford just added the cap adapter to allow for a larger diameter cap to avoid potential crossfire when they went to the high energy electronic ignition in the early years of their electronic engine management & emission control efforts.

Rick

Hal Copple · #3 (**permalink**) 07-14-2002, 11:38 AM

on my non EFI Duraspark, i have found that the red MSD cap fits fine, and looks nice too. There a number of sources for these caps, and others too.

hal

Jack21 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2002, 01:17 PM

Any of the aftermarket caps; Mallory, Accel, MSD, etc., should work.

kountzecobra · #5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2002, 05:54 PM

Today I went ahead and installed a small points style cap, rotor, and Accel 8.8mm black wires on the Duraspark distributor. So far, I can't tell any difference in the way it runs and now I have the carb clearance I needed. Thanks, David.

Mr.Fixit · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2002, 01:03 PM

I never liked the "big cap" on ford distributors. Almost all of them that I've seen had a loose / sloppy fit between the cap and housing.

dalola · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2002, 01:19 PM

David,
You may also want to try this. Drill 2 small holes(~1/8") in the side of your cap, midway, between the terminal towers, across from each other. Sometimes, in these smaller caps, the air inside can become "charged", creating cross/misfire, especially with the MSD ignition. Just a thought for you.
Dave

kountzecobra · #8 (**permalink**) 07-26-2002, 12:29 PM

Well I have been driving car with small cap and I can't tell any difference in performance. I guess the Duraspark dist. with the small cap is going to work fine, I now have room for my 2-4bbl Holleys, and it looks much better than big 2-piece cap also. Later, David.

Maury Novak · #9 (**permalink**) 09-16-2002, 07:30 AM

Guys, I would like to do the same. I am running MSD wires and my local parts store only shows me caps that have the female tips for the wires. Do the after market caps have the male tips for my plug wires? or do I have to change the ends? I would rather find a cap that would use my connectors. If you know of small caps with the male tips, please give me make and part number please. Does the standard small cap rotor work?

Thanx in advance.

Maury

kountzecobra · #10 (**permalink**) 09-16-2002, 07:45 AM

I looked also. All small caps have female connections on top that I have seen. MSD does make adapters but they are very pricy. Best solution would be to change ends on your wires or buy new set (I am very fond of Taylors). So far, after about 1200 miles, no problems with small cap on Duraspark distributor. Later, David.

Rick Parker · #11 (**permalink**) 09-16-2002, 10:10 AM

AFTER ALOT OF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE SMALL DIAMETER CAP USED BY MSD ON THEIR SMALL DIAMETER BILLIT DISTRIBUTOR IS SOURCED FROM OF ALL THINGS .....AN INTERNATIONAL V8! SUGGEST GOING TO NAPA AND GETTING THE ONE OFFERED BY THEM WITH BRASS TERMINALS. THE TERMINALS
ARE OF THE MALE TYPE SIMILAR TO THE LARGE DIAMETER OEM FORD UNIT.

RICK

Maury Novak · #12 (**permalink**) 09-23-2002, 08:43 AM

Rick,
Thanx for the tip about the International cap. Works great.

Is there a Min/Max for the rotor to dist terminal gap? With the Ford rotor there seams to be a pretty large (3/32") gap. I don't have a problem with trying to redesign the rotor length but if there is an of the shelf one I could use, that would be easier.

Thanx.

Maury