Anybody know what this vacuum part is or does?

[Wayne M.]

Don, so much has changed in the parts chain. If you haven’t dabbled in a while, you’ll see a lot of differences in parts. The ol reliable MP electronic ign kit don’t exist as it was, and it’s a lot more money. It’s all one off parts since the old distributor tooling is gone.
What I reccomend is build your own. The box, harness, and distributor are all available form Mancini racing and rock auto. It’ll be much cheaper too.
But didn’t you state that there’s a control box somewhere?

 

[DonFitzwater]

Don, so much has changed in the parts chain. If you haven’t dabbled in a while, you’ll see a lot of differences in parts. The ol reliable MP electronic ign kit don’t exist as it was, and it’s a lot more money. It’s all one off parts since the old distributor tooling is gone.
What I reccomend is build your own. The box, harness, and distributor are all available form Mancini racing and rock auto. It’ll be much cheaper too.
But didn’t you state that there’s a control box somewhere?

I "Thought" there was an ignition box on the firewall but I was wrong, it was the voltage regulator. I'm going to order a complete kit, most likely from Mancini as they seem to have a decent supply of different distributors and ignition modules. If I remember correctly it's under 150.00 for everything. That's cheap in my opinion.

 

[Wayne M.]

Here’s the harness. https://www.manciniracing.com/wirharcopand.html

Distributor. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...l+318cid+v8,1082775,ignition,distributor,7108

A decent box. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...5,ignition,ignition+control+module+(icm),7172

My bad math has this under a C note. You might already have a ballast on the firewall.

 

[DonFitzwater]

No Ballast....I broke in the camshaft this evening. Running so good that if I had a throttle cable, I’d drive it to work tomorrow! Surprisingly, the LB ignition module is giving rock steady timing. It’s going in the trash though!

 

[DonFitzwater]

Getting into the parts........my local Napa has everything on the shelf.......ignition modules came up with two different versions, a 5 pin and a 4 pin. Turns out the 4 pin is the way to go according to this thread:

https://moparforums.com/forums/f7/electronic-ignition-module-woes-12419/

 

[DonFitzwater]

And here is the old Ram....still looking pretty good!

 

[Wayne M.]

Getting into the parts........my local Napa has everything on the shelf.......ignition modules came up with two different versions, a 5 pin and a 4 pin. Turns out the 4 pin is the way to go according to this thread:

https://moparforums.com/forums/f7/electronic-ignition-module-woes-12419/

Does he have a harness or plug at least?

 

[Wayne M.]

And here is the old Ram....still looking pretty good!

That’s a desirable truck.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Does he have a harness or plug at least?

No, but I just made a parts order through Summit for the Lokar cable as Amazon was out and got the harness and ballast resistor from them. Napa had the distributor and ignition module on the shelf.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I finally got a new distributor, ignition module, ballast resistor, harness and Lokar cables and mounting brackets in my hands. I got it fired up last night after some trouble.........wouldn't you know it, the Lean Burn Control didn't want to work at -20! Had to put some heat under the hood with my master heater and after an hour I got timing to work correctly. I Sure am glad I'm replacing this garbage now and thanks for all the help guys! I'll see how it goes this weekend and might try my hand at making a short YouTube video of the truck driving after I get it tuned a little better.

 

[Wayne M.]

I was wondering about this.
Wow, -20? I suppose you have carb heat? What’s it like to warm up a carb’d old gasser that might not have a working heat crossover in those temps?

 

[DonFitzwater]

I was wondering about this.
Wow, -20? I suppose you have carb heat? What’s it like to warm up a carb’d old gasser that might not have a working heat crossover in those temps?

Surprisingly it started right up......but spark disappeared almost immediately until I warmed up the engine compartment. It's got a Quick Fuel carb on it......I didn't even have the air cleaner with the heat tube to the manifold installed yet. No heat riser, no heat cross-over either. Like they say here in Fairbanks, "It's a dry cold"...........

 

[DonFitzwater]

Had a few wobbly pops last night so just getting to this project today......got the distributor in, ESC removed, Lokar bracket installed. I have to run to town to make a Skidoo parts order before the dealer closes so I’ll continue the update to this old truck tonight!

 

[DonFitzwater]

Got the old truck fired up yesterday and set timing, adjusted carb and took care of a minor coolant leak on a heater hose. I've still got to get the air filter housing mounted, vacuum for 4wd and then it's time to drive. It's amazing how good the engine runs now with timing! The Lean Burn was definitely not working with regards to timing.

 

[Wayne M.]

It's amazing how good the engine runs now with timing! The Lean Burn was definitely not working with regards to timing.

There’s nothing like a happy small block Mopar.



I’m so jealous of this guy Nick.....