1972 Ford F100 Ignition System Upgrade - Hot Spark

If the DUI distributor isn't properly seated into place, using the distributor clamp (shown here) to draw the distributor flush can damage the DUI distributor. If everything is aligned properly, the DUI will drop right into place.

Follow this step carefully. Before proceeding any further, we made sure all eight Live Wires (they are numbered on the wire at the terminal and the spark plug) could reach their designated cylinder (spark plug). We moved the location of our intended number 1 at the distributor cap until all eight Live Wires fit.

Knowing the Live Wires were a perfect fit, we installed the DUI distributor with the 302's harmonic balancer at TDC (top dead center) in alignment with the timing indicator. Next, we dropped the DUI distributor into place with the rotor matched up with a red mark we painted on the distributor body to indicate the number 1 spark plug terminal's position on the DUI distributor cap.

The DUI distributor cap was clamped down, and the Live Wires were reattached following the counter-clockwise firing order.

Thanks to the DUI's one-wire hookup, all we had to do to connect it was ensure our hot lead had a full 12 volts.

The DUI plug includes an optional lead for a tachometer. It was very important to make sure these leads were not reversed.

To cleanly route the Live Wires, we used a set of Performance Distributors' # 9200 billet aluminum wire looms. (These were installed after we knew the DUI distributor's final position.)

For final timing, we connected the timing light to the number 1 spark plug. Notice how uniform the Live Wires appear.

We timed the 302 with the vacuum advance disconnected. With the timing set, we reconnected the vacuum advance and were ready to head back to the dyno.