1.7 VW distributor in 2.2

[ScottD]

I have a 1985 Turismo 2.2 I'm restoring. It has the high output 110hp carb'd 2.2.

I'm putting a 32/36 DFEV Weber carb on it.

I also have a 1980 1.7 VW distributor w/ the vacuum advance. I understand how to swap the shaft from the 1.7 and have it cut down to the same length as the 2.2 shaft.

What I'm fuzzy on is the wiring. Can I plug the hall effect into the existing plug and just go? Or is there something else that needs to be done?

Any help appreciated.

[turbovanman²]

To me, we are doing this to avoid using the stock computer so you'd need to buy a MSD box or similiar to trigger the coil.

[ScottD]

So replace the stock ignition module with an MSD box?

["Top Fuel" Bender]

So replace the stock ignition module with an MSD box?

I've got a used one if your interested (just a 6al box)
But better yet I've got a new Crane digtal 6 box too!

[turbovanman²]

So replace the stock ignition module with an MSD box?

You use the distributor to drive the ignition box, :D

[ScottD]

I've got a used one if your interested (just a 6al box)
But better yet I've got a new Crane digtal 6 box too!

Jeez Bruce I already owe you $40 for the carb spacer are you trying to put me in more debt????

What's the difference between the two, I've never fooled with aftermarket ignition on anything!

["Top Fuel" Bender]

Jeez Bruce I already owe you $40 for the carb spacer are you trying to put me in more debt????

What's the difference between the two, I've never fooled with aftermarket ignition on anything!

the msd has a chip for the rev limiter
and have a high failure rate, circle track guys run 2 and at a time

crane ignition much more reliable
(some would argue :was recently sold but have reopened and running)
they have a dial to adjust rev. limit
both have mutiple spark discharge under 3,000 rpm for smoother running
longer and hotter sparks
the crane is a full digital box

I'd sell the msd for $60
the crane is new I paid $225, you can have it for $160


is the spacer going to work :eyebrows:

[ScottD]

I thought I'd heard about MSD boxes being problematic. Let me think about the Crane unit.

I still have to get the spacer from T-bag. He works like 20 min from my house I just have to swing up there after work and nab it.

I'm hoping to have the head back on the Turismo next week. Then I can put the spacer on and make sure there are no hood clearance issues. WOOT!

[contraption22]

Mallory makes (or made) a nice billet distributor for the 2.2. Curtis Palmer had one on his weber carb'd Shelby. I've contacted him to see if he knows the part number.

Found the part number 3770901.

It's a mechanical advance electronic distributor. I do not see it listed in their latest catalog.

They may not make it any longer.

[ScottD]

Yeah, looks like it is no longer made. Checked Summit and they don't carry it.

[Dominic]

On the Ontario Shelby Dodge board, there's someone (John Neff) who has a Mallory distributor for sale. He was offering it for sale pick up only as he didn't want to deal with shipping anything.

I just checked, he's a member here as well (same username), try PM'ing him.

And I don't see there being any clearance issues with the spacer. I figured with the 1/4 inch gaskets on either side of the spacer, it would only in reality be adding 1.25 inch. Only issue (I think) would be if reusing the stock air cleaner assembly.

[ScottD]

I looked but couldn't find anything on the Ontario board?

[ScottD]

I talked with a Mallory rep on the phone. They can make this distributor as a "custom" unit, the lead time is 6-8 weeks and the cost was $450-$500.

[Dominic]

I looked but couldn't find anything on the Ontario board?

Here's the link to the thread
1986 GLH (getting out of dodge) (http://www.ontarioshelbydodge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1520)

He's also a member here, user ID: John Neff

I know he wasn't too keen on shipping, but if need be, let me know, I can probably pick it up and ship it for you. I'll be visiting family in his area over the weekend.

[ScottD]

Cool - thanks. I sent John a PM through here.

[contraption22]

How'd you make out on that distributor?

[ScottD]

Never heard back from John Neff.

Still mulling what to do, find a Mallory or mod the VW dist and run an ignition box. I may run it for a while as is and see how it does with the stock comp controlled set up.

[84Turismo2.2]

I was just wondering about the mallory also. i did e-mail them myself and got the same answer... custom unit... weird how they say there was a small demand for them yet the still make one for the 1.6L Colt..???? kinda weird. dont know anyone who even owns a colt. i'm running a supercharged setup and am on the same path about the distributor. hopefully i find someone who's wanting to sell theirs. i dont think 4-500$ for a distributor is really worth it.

[ScottD]

The problem I see with the VW unit is it looks like the vac can will hit the dipstick. I haven't had the shaft modified yet to know for sure but it looks that way.

[rbryant]

What about running a 1.7l spark control computer that goes with the distributor?

I can also make you some nice MSD wires for it if you want something better than stock.

-Rich

[turbojerk]

Put a turbo on it while you're at it....

[glhs0426]

Years ago, a Chrysler tech in Nashville, TN put a small block Chrysler distributor in his Omni bracket car. He trimmed every other tooth off the reluctor wheel and ran every other plug wire. I do not remember if it was a drop in or if he made a spacer/adapter. I'll grab one of each over the weekend and do a little measuring.

John Roberts

[contraption22]

I know back in the day somebody was running a Ford 2.3 distributor on a Chrysler 2.2.

[daytonaturbo87]

I talked to a guy who built a race-only n/a 250hp 2.2 back in the day. He said the mopar mags back then showed how to mod a mopar V8 distributor to work in his 2.2. He made a jig to mount the distributor to the side of his head so the cam would spin it. With that setup he was able to dial in his mechanical advance to what he wanted.

Another option is a basemodel megasquirt with a tbi distributor. You can buy a base megasquirt-1 (w/ v 2.2 board) for around 130 bucks. You can hook it up to a tbi distributor, download the megasquirt'n'spark code to it and configure it to run spark-only. Realistically that would be your cheapest bet for a totally programmable spark curve. You could setup the spark to give you more advance during warm-up for driveability and you can set it to dial back timing while in boost.

[ScottD]

I know back in the day somebody was running a Ford 2.3 distributor on a Chrysler 2.2.

Running Ford parts on a Mopar????? That is sacrilege!

[ScottD]

Another option is a basemodel megasquirt with a tbi distributor. You can buy a base megasquirt-1 (w/ v 2.2 board) for around 130 bucks. You can hook it up to a tbi distributor, download the megasquirt'n'spark code to it and configure it to run spark-only. Realistically that would be your cheapest bet for a totally programmable spark curve. You could setup the spark to give you more advance during warm-up for driveability and you can set it to dial back timing while in boost.

Interesting suggestion.

One of the things I'd read about putting a Weber on was it was sluggish off idle because of the spark control computer and that is why people suggest a vac adv distributor.

There is a vacuum advance port on the Weber carb. I ran a vac line from this to the spark control computer. I just got my Turismo idling tonight so I will take it out soon and see if it is sluggish off idle.

[ScottD]

Put a turbo on it while you're at it....

You just have a serious case of carb envy ....

[Ondonti]

Electronic advance Carb sounds pretty cool to me. Would be easy to hide and look like you were using all old school parts.

Ignition boxes scare me for anything I would want to drive regularly. Some people never have problems (on daily drivers) though.

[DartGTS340]

I'd rather have mine than the Mallory. This was the prototype. I later made a single piece body that works with a Nissan cap and rotor that utilizes standard style male terminals, and no need for the adapter ring that I used on this one. The reason for it was the ID required for the old style components was about .040 in. larger than the 2.2/2.5 caps flange OD. That unit went away on an SC and this one sat around for a long time before I took these pics to sell it. Selling it took a lot longer than I thought it would. Hoping I'll soon hear how the guy likes it. I end running another carbed unit I'll make another one right from the get, and never let the SCC have anything to do with ignition control.

For anyone looking to fab something like this the Nissan parts are EP668(cap) and EP674(rotor). These are Napa Echlin numbers so you can cross reference them for your personal brand choice. I dug through their catalogue and doing measuring for hours to find what I thought would work best.


http://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d1.jpghttp://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d2.jpghttp://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d3.jpg


The drive was remade from stressproof to handle the inertia of the extra mass. Didn't trust the nodular cast original to hold up to it. Way back when, MP used to offer a similar unit (P4452012). With the stressproof, If I wished, I could take a pair of channel locks and bend those drive tangs over and they would bend, but not break.


http://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d4.jpg

http://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d5.jpghttp://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d6.jpghttp://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d7.jpg
http://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d8.jpghttp://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d9.jpg
http://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d10.jpghttp://x-plane.org/home/sideslip/images/SP/d11.jpg

[turbovanman²]

That is damn cool. Did you make the adapter body?

[DartGTS340]

Yes. I started with a 2.2/2.5 and a LA V8 distributor and made/modified everything else myself.

[turbovanman²]

Wow, pretty cool, :nod:

[cordes]

How does it work?

[turbovanman²]

How does it work?

Well, in a nutshell, when you run the engine, the dist rotates, breaks the magnetic field so the coil can fire, then you have vacuum advance and weights to adjust the spark advance or retard.

[DartGTS340]

I think he's wondering how it would work in our vehicles.

This distributor has the internals of the ChryCo electronic ignition introduced first on the 1971 340, and used through to the late 80's on their V8's and slant 6's. It allows you to use the infamous "Orange Box" ignition control unit. The wiring required is really simple. I think it took me all of a half hour to fire it up and have it running.

http://www.allpar.com/fix/miscpix/ignition/1.gif

[turbovanman²]

I think he's wondering how it would work in our vehicles.



I was joking around, he knows.

[cordes]

That's very interesting. Is this something which I could make myself?