Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum banner

Roller cam and distributor gear ??

17K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  mavman 
#1 ·
I started to install a steel gear on my 1982 5.0 Mustang Duraspark distributor and found the inside diameter of the steel gear was larger than on the iron gear.
What cars came with Duraspark in 1985 and had the roller cam?
 
#3 ·
Only the 5.0 mustang.
Something to keep in mind is in '85 the 5 spd cars had a holley 4bbl and the A/T cars had TBI. I know the 5spd cars had roller cams,not so sure about the A/T cars.
 
#4 ·
302/5.0 distributor gears were .467 or .531 standard I.D. (shaft O.D.). Check yours. If it's a .467, the Mallory 29418 gear is steel and better priced than most. About $32 is typical. Just follow your shop manual for correct installation. If you measure something else—post it up.

David
 
#6 ·
Yep! If you need a distributor for a carbureted 5.0/302 with a hydraulic roller cam, any parts store can hook you up with a rebuilt unit for a 1985 5.0 GT 5-speed mustang. At least they used to... as long as they haven't been discontinued, as 1985 was 26 years ago?!?!?! Dang, I'm getting old! :eek:

1985 was the only year for a carbureted 5.0 with a hydraulic roller cam.
 
#9 ·
Me too. I did a lookup, and found the manual trans cars used DuraSpark, and the auto trans cars used TFI distributors with EEC timing control. Weird, eh?

David
I believe some/all of the automatic cars in 1985 had some screwy kind of throttle body fuel injection.

Confirmed... Just did a google search. The automatics only had 180hp as well. They call it CFI fuel injection.

Click link below...
1985 Mustang GT
 
#10 ·
I believe some/all of the automatic cars in 1985 had some screwy kind of throttle body fuel injection.

Confirmed... Just did a google search. The automatics only had 180hp as well. They call it CFI fuel injection.

Click link below...
1985 Mustang GT
That CFI EFI is actually pretty awesome, and better than GMs venerable TBI. That aside, the 5-speed 5.0HO GTs also list CFI EFI, but strangely enough, still with a DSII distributor. Maybe a California thing?

A little trivia as not many are familiar with them: CFI was used from 1980 to after 1990 in various forms and cars. The HO CFI went on to power the Lincoln MKs for a couple more years. The HO version of CFI was unique to the Mustang and Linc, with larger throttle bores, no 'choke' mechanism, and 600cc injectors. Standard 302/5.0L received smaller bores, 'choke' setup, and 500cc injectors, while V6 engines had the same throttle bores, but only 388cc injectors.

2v CFI was used for about 7 or 8 years during the transition from carbs to MPFI in V8 and V6 cars. The awesome part is Ford purposely made them with TPS and FPR built-in, and to bolt right onto a standard Holley/Motorcraft 2-barrel flange, so converting old 2v carb cars (289s to 390s or anything with about 300hp or less) to EFI for better performance, drivability, and especially mileage is a snap with the CFI. :tup:

David

PS: One day, I will gumption to make a 3x2 Tri-Power setup with CFI throttle bodies. I know it will run simply awesome, and look just about like a stock carbed setup, with none of the carb issues and hassles—and far cheaper than carbs too. :D

Example of CFI installed onto a Ford I6 performance application. The CFI on the right is mounted sideways compared to the manifold on the left, an is a standard 302 unit with 'choke', dashpot, and blue-top 500cc injectors:
 
#12 ·
Exactly right. It is a standard carb choke assembly with bi-metal spring and all, but only opened the throttle plates for more air/RPM with no upper choke plate. Simple existing-parts solution to add idle air for cold starts, but the EEC added the extra fuel instead of the choke plate.
:tup:
David
 
#14 ·
Spacer...Hmm...never seen that before! Good thinking (and I hope it lasts).

Just to add to this informative post...SOME of the '85 CFI automatic Mustangs had roller cams. Not all. I had one, MFG date 1/1985 and it was a roller. But friend of mine had one that was manufactured 11/1984 and it was a flat tappet. Both were automatic CFI 5.0's. And the 5 speed 4v 5.0 was a duraspark distributor, roller cam, and steel gear. The CFI cars were TFI distributors. They actually ran fairly well but ran out of steam above 3500 RPM. I liked mine...other than the interior REEKED.

I also like the CFI on the inline 6 deal. That is cool! And probably simple to do. Gives me ideas ;)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top