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Engine Need help figuring out a distributor for my fox with a carbed crown vic engine

  • Thread starter Thread starter white_stang
  • Start date Start date Jan 6, 2022
W

white_stang

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Jan 6, 2022
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Jan 6, 2022
#1
  • Jan 6, 2022
  • #1
I have a 93 foxbody with an engine from an 89 crown vic, stock so far aside from being carb swapped. From my understanding, the block is the same but the cam is different and means a different firing order than normal HO foxbodys. I plan to put E7 or gt40/gt40p heads and an HO or aftermarket cam in at some point, so i need a distributor that would work for that. But if i wanted to get it running before that, would i need a different distributor? I have an MSD ignition system and would like to get an MSD dizzy with magnetic pickup to complete it, but im not sure what specific distributor and have been having trouble figuring it out. Does anyone have part numbers that would work for an HO style engine? And if it would require a different distributor, part numbers for one that would work on the stock crown vic engine?
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
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#2
  • Jan 7, 2022
  • #2
The distributor does not control the firing order. The order the wires are run from the cap to the plugs match the firing order to the cam.
If they are both roller cams, the distributor’s gears are the same.

Are you sure you want to install May Suddenly Die parts? The stock ignition is good, and racing electrical parts do not always last with the heat of the street, especially when they are widely counterfeit.
 
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white_stang

Member
Jan 6, 2022
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Pennsylvania
Jan 7, 2022
#3
  • Jan 7, 2022
  • #3
7991LXnSHO said:
The distributor does not control the firing order. The order the wires are run from the cap to the plugs match the firing order to the cam.
If they are both roller cams, the distributor’s gears are the same.

Are you sure you want to install May Suddenly Die parts? The stock ignition is good, and racing electrical parts do not always last with the heat of the street, especially when they are widely counterfeit
Click to expand...
As I don't have a distributor and the car was originally a 4cyl tfi car now with a carbed v8 I have to do something.. I could do a stock style distributor but it came with other msd parts and I figured I'd keep it the same plus id assumed it would be better suited for performance and any future mods the car will get
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
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#4
  • Jan 7, 2022
  • #4
Any distributor for a roller cam will work, the 89 engine is a roller cam so your choices will be msd, duraspark or my recommendation would be a DUI https://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/davis-unified-ignition
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Kearney, NE
Jan 7, 2022
#5
  • Jan 7, 2022
  • #5
General karthief said:
Any distributor for a roller cam will work, the 89 engine is a roller cam so your choices will be msd, duraspark or my recommendation would be a DUI https://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/davis-unified-ignition
Click to expand...
Blasphemy!
An all in one, simple, reliable, HEI based DUI distributor on a Ford should be a no brainer. But it sure triggers some purists. I have not regretted installing a self refurbished HEI in points GM.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,916
10,566
203
polk county florida
Jan 7, 2022
#6
  • Jan 7, 2022
  • #6
7991LXnSHO said:
Blasphemy!
An all in one, simple, reliable, HEI based DUI distributor on a Ford should be a no brainer. But it sure triggers some purists. I have not regretted installing a self refurbished HEI in points GM.
Click to expand...
I know but the other choices suck worse.
And they are pretty much plug and play and rock solid dependable
I hate them
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Kearney, NE
Jan 7, 2022
#7
  • Jan 7, 2022
  • #7
General karthief said:
I know but the other choices suck worse.
And they are pretty much plug and play and rock solid dependable
I hate them
Click to expand...
I do not get it either. Hook up a switched 12v power wire, a tach wire, time it and go and go. Play with the springs, weights and vac advance if you want later. Sell the MSD stuff for a good portion of the cost. So what’s to hate? The cap is taller with the coil, but it cleans up the fender.
 
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90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
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Mar 2, 2015
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#8
  • Jan 7, 2022
  • #8
Some clearance of the intake might be needed to fit the HEI style distributor. Just in the area near where the thermostat goes. The base fir the distributor is bigger and may make adjustment more difficult. They work well though just takes some time turning the oil pump drive to just the right spot so the gear drops down and puts the rotor in the right spot to set timing.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Jan 8, 2022
#9
  • Jan 8, 2022
  • #9
The oil pump drive hassle and clocking the distributor with minimal clearance can also be a PITA with the Duraspark distributors.
 
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