• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Ignition installation question... HELP!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter gimpyloba
  • Start date Start date Jun 3, 2005
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 3, 2005
#1
  • Jun 3, 2005
  • #1
Installing Crane Cam's ignition... needing some help here PLEEEEEASE!

Alright here's the deal. I just installed a crane cams HI-6S on my 1980 Mustang (duraspark ignition) and when i try to start it it will like stall and it sounds like it's maybe prefiring. Now if I cut the crane box out of the system I have the same results. I've tried it with two different ignition boxes with the same result. So here's my questions:

Can (by changing to a coil that bypasses the ballast resistor) you mess up your timing?

OR could my distributor be effed up?

Keep in mind that my ignition is still determining WHEN to fire and is still getting the signal from my distributor. AND the car worked fine when I started this... ordeal.

Blah, I feel like an idiot.
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 3, 2005
#2
  • Jun 3, 2005
  • #2
Bump... come on I really want to get this thing running. The crane module flashes when i turn the key to on and blinks when it's trying to start up. But something definitely isn't right here...
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 3, 2005
#3
  • Jun 3, 2005
  • #3
come on guys I could really use a hand!
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 3, 2005
#4
  • Jun 3, 2005
  • #4
Another thing to add.

Okay, so by messing with it and advancing the timing some 40 DEGREES i got it to start, but the starter doesn't stop spinning... My buddy was thinking it's the solenoid but I think it has something to do with the non-working tach...


Any thing at all would be helpful.
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 3, 2005
#5
  • Jun 3, 2005
  • #5
bump
 
C

Camman

Founding Member
Jan 5, 2000
1,055
0
37
Las Vegas, NV
Jun 4, 2005
#6
  • Jun 4, 2005
  • #6
gimpyloba said:
Another thing to add.

Okay, so by messing with it and advancing the timing some 40 DEGREES i got it to start, but the starter doesn't stop spinning... My buddy was thinking it's the solenoid but I think it has something to do with the non-working tach...


Any thing at all would be helpful.
Click to expand...
The only thing I can think of that would have to do with both starter and ignition would be your ignition switch. Make sure the signal to the "s" terminal on the soleniod terminates when your key goes from the "start" to the "run" position.
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 5, 2005
#7
  • Jun 5, 2005
  • #7
Camman said:
The only thing I can think of that would have to do with both starter and ignition would be your ignition switch. Make sure the signal to the "s" terminal on the soleniod terminates when your key goes from the "start" to the "run" position.
Click to expand...


What about the whole advancing the timing some 40 odd degrees... there's something else quirky going on. I bypassed the ballast resistor with an auto relay, I installed a new coil and a new ignition. By bypassing the crane ignition I have the same problem with it not firing right. And the whole pop type hesitation and spitting gas out of the carb isn't sitting right with me... There's something ****ed about the timing... any ideas?
 
C

Camman

Founding Member
Jan 5, 2000
1,055
0
37
Las Vegas, NV
Jun 5, 2005
#8
  • Jun 5, 2005
  • #8
this is very strange, it does sound like you are firing very early. I will look more into this for you later as I am busy atm, I am not real familiar with the duraspark ignition. Off the top of my head the dwell timing seems to be way off. You dont have access to a scope by any chance do you?
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 5, 2005
#9
  • Jun 5, 2005
  • #9
No i'm poor I can't think of what it could be it's crazy. I was meandering through the wiring diagram and found nothing crazy about it. The only ideas I have is either my distributor isn't sending the right signal (bad timing sender or what ever the heck that is) OR something to do with the coil. The thing is this, I just have all the wires for the coil spliced in (that fixed my problem with my tach) And the power for the coil/ignition is coming from the auto relay (to bypass the ballast resistor). To the best of my knowledge there's NO way the coil itself is sending the spark early which leaves me with either two bad ignitions (very unlikely), the distributor's timing thing, or...?

PM me if you think of anything or a way to figure out what the **** is going on.

Thanks.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jun 5, 2005
#10
  • Jun 5, 2005
  • #10
I took a scan through this confusing thread and had perhaps a couple thoughts.

Did you have the dizzy out of the car? Did you stab it in on the exhaust stroke?

Is your balancer spun?

I dont know much about Duraspark, so good luck.
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 5, 2005
#11
  • Jun 5, 2005
  • #11
Before the ignition was changed I have the valve covers off to fix a rocker arm that came loose and i put the covers back on. I put it back on, fired the thing up and it ran beautifully. I know the problem isn't mechanical it's something electrical but I can't figure out what. Nothing has changed to cause problems, unless something else has broken.

I'm going to try hooking up the entire stock system (blah) and see if I can get the thing to go. Then from there I guess go piece by piece... It just doesn't make any sense.
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 6, 2005
#12
  • Jun 6, 2005
  • #12
GAH THIS CRAP IS GARBAGE!!! What the hell is going on?! I NEED THIS CAR TO WORK! I'm still going to try to go all stock and see if I can get it to work but i need someone who had a duraspark or who knows about these damn things to give me a hand!!!!

PLEASE I NEED A DAMN RUNNING CAR!!!!
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 7, 2005
#13
  • Jun 7, 2005
  • #13
:-/ Are you guys all out of ideas... Cause I certainly am...
 
G

gimpyloba

New Member
May 26, 2005
27
0
0
Jun 8, 2005
#14
  • Jun 8, 2005
  • #14
Okay new question then. How hard would it be to upgrade above the duraspark ignition?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
330
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
S
Preparation for Holley Terminator X install – Foxbody 306 (electrical fan, alternator, MSD Ignition, etc)
  • So_Flo
  • Mar 1, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 4, 2026
General karthief
R
Engine Ignition issue test light question
  • Rick1992
  • May 29, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
18
Views
542
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 30, 2025
Rick1992
R
D
Engine 85 GT Backfires through Carb
  • DienstXIV
  • Oct 3, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
19
Views
579
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 7, 2025
85GTStangGuy
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?