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DURA-Spark II Ignition System

The Dura-Spark II distributor eliminates conventional mechanical and vacuum advance mechanisms. See Fig 1. All timing is controlled by the ECA, which is capable of firing spark plugs at any point from TDC to 60°BTDC. This flexibility in spark range requires greater separation of adjacent distributor cap electrodes to prevent cross-fire. A bi-level distributor and cap may be used. In the bi-level design, both the rotor and cap have upper and lower electrodes. As the rotor turns, one of the high-voltage electrode pickup arms aligns with one spoke of the distributor cap center electrode plate, allowing high voltage to pass from the plate, through the rotor to a terminal on the distributor cap and on to the spark plug.

NOTE: Numbers, corresponding to spark plug wires, are molded into the cap for identification. Due to design, however, the wires are NOT arranged in firing order. The actual firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8, as noted on the intake manifold. If an aftermarket cap is installed, use original cap as a guide to reference spark plug wire locations
Fig 1: EEC I Distributor Assemblies
G09354713Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.