I have a 3rd world spec FJ62 with a points distributor and I have bought a electronic ingnition dizzy from an 87 FJ60 to swap in. Now I am wondering if the original coil will be ok or should I go with a flamethrower or MSD coil? If so where can I get one of these?
Ignition systems are specifically setup to work together.
If you are going to run a '87 FJ60 distributor, you should also run a matching '87 FJ60 ignitor/coil, matching spark plugs, and to some degree a '87 FJ60 carburetor.
My point is the distributor/ignitor/coil/sparkplug/carburetor setup is designed to work together. Mix them up and you will have weird results.
Me ? I'm running a DUI HEI, AutoLite spark plugs gapped to 0.045, and soon to be Weber'ed carburetor. This will work great. I'm still running the Aisin carb so it doesn't run smooth(i.e. mixed setup)
My Jacob's is great. Plugged right in (after drilling some some holes to mount it) and I noticed an immediate return when I started it up. I am also running Jacob's wires, but I guess you could have learned that from my signature. I left the little igniter that sits on top of the orginal coil on (the thing that looks like a little heat sink). Don't know what would happen if I took it off, but I might try one of these days. Does anybody know if I could take it off with the Jacob? Is it taking voltage from the Jacobs, or is is not really doing a thing, so leave it?
No experience with the Jacob's but when i put an MSD coil in my 40 I had to order a larger resistor to wire in line b/f the coil. I think it has some thing to do with regulating or dropping the voltage.
No experience with the Jacob's but when i put an MSD coil in my 40 I had to order a larger resistor to wire in line b/f the coil. I think it has some thing to do with regulating or dropping the voltage.
Well, that makes sense. That would be why that thing (which is formally called the ignitor) has a casing that looks like a heat sink, it must have a resistor wired in it. Looks like I'm leaving it.
Have you noticed a big difference in the FJ60 power with the DUI HEI distributor and wires? Does anything else need to be changed on the engine when making this conversion? I have a 87 FJ60 that just underwent an engine OH. I'm still dissappointed with the low power I get (no more than the original stock engine power). I did have a 5 speed toyota tranny put in for faster speeds on the highway.
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Jeff Williams
1987 FJ60 recent stock engine rebuild, new 5 spd toyota tranny & rebuilt transfer case, OME suspension, ARB lockers
I'm a firm believer in higher-output, aftermarket ignition systems, starting with 6V Porsches from the 1960s to my '83 FJ60 whose stock ignition died 2 yrs ago.
On the 60, an Accel 300+ setup with high-output coil was cheaper than the Toyota ignition module, and seemed to help performance, specifically at & from idle.
With the higher-output systems you can open the plug gap & get a "fatter" spark. I've heard but not confirmed that this effectively advances the timing, but I don't see how.
I had a HEI on my old 60. It made a word of a difference. Lots more power.
I could turn sharp corners in 3rd gear with outlugging the motor where I use to have to shift down to 2nd gear.
I had a stock rebuilt (by me) carb.
The problem I and others had was I left the VTV on the vacuum hose to the dist.
It made the motor knock when driving in the hills. Removed it and no more knock.
Before I went to the HIE setup, I tried the MDS coil.
It helped with starting and improved power a little some.
The HEI is the way to go.
I'm all about staying and maintaining stock whenever possible ...
However, dropped in the DUI HEI for giggles and it's staying and I'm not looking back or regretting replacing the stock ign/coil.
Couple of odd notes:
-Be sure to use a HEI with a metric gear. DUI HEI is just fine.
-Run HEI spark plug wires.
-Plug gap, 0.045 is fine, any wider and it's bunches harder on the coil.
-Run the cheapest spark plugs you can find, Autolites are just fine.
-I'm running mechanical advance since the DUI HEI is curved different than the stock distributor. My carb is running way lean on factory jets. My next project is to look at a desmoged card to get ported vacuum advance and bigger jets.
I was thinking of converting my 84fj60 to HEI . Is it true that all I need is a HEI distibutor from a chevy 6cyl , machine the housing to fit in the toyota's block and change the gear on the shaft?
High voltage, high power, super spark, extra fancy ignitions don't do anything for power or economy by themselves, especially on a low revving tractor engine, like the 2F. This is from 4 years of experience with them in racing aplications where the track times and dynomometer don't lie. Save your money. Just tuning it up will give you the same performance increase.
Anyone still paying attention to this thread? I'm thinking about a DUI distributor and was getting all excited about it until Pinhead put his two cents in. I'm not sure I understand why it would make a difference, but sounds like some people have noticed a marked improvement with the mod.
I put an MSD coil on mine because i realized after installing my plugs that even though my 0.040 gap wasnt that wide, its wider than the stock spec. So, instead i just swapped on a MSD coil. I already had a nice set of plug wires, i figure i have plenty of juice to light it up. There is no disadvantage to a bigger spark and i think the MSD coil is cheaper than OEM too. Plus its red and pretty and you can even get one with a sticker that says offroad on it to impress the chicks.
It could of been that my ignition system was worn.
But wouldn't a non usa dist make a differance over a usa smog dist?
Doesn't changing the curve of the dist make a differance?
It could be that the HEI dist is differant from the usa dist?
All I can say is that it made a big gain in power and made starting easier.
I don't see what you would gain from going to a HEI distributor. The stock distributor is already electronic (no points) and gives plenty of advance for the 2F. So the only gain I see from HEI is that you get a hotter spark. This can be accomplished by swapping in a hotter coil. I've put Accel super coils in both my cruisers and that definately makes a difference. Widened the plug gap and you can feel the difference.
However, I don't think going to a HEI makes any sense. First of all, you loose the great water resistant quality of the stock distributor. It is designed to be extremely water resistant, with it's breather and o-ring. Not so with the HEI.
Second, the HEI doesn't seem to be that reliable. My friends with Chevy's way too often have the cap / coil go bad on their HEIs. Most carry a spare it happens that often. You sure don't see that as a common issue with Cruiser distributors.
So if you want a hotter spark, I'd stick with the superior cruiser distributor and replace the coil with something hotter.
