Distributorless Ignition – Oil Pump Drive

[Andy Green]

One thing I’m considering is either having a fully mapped ignition system with carbs, or a full EFI system. Either way I plan to ditch the distributor (which I don’t currently have) and then use a Ford EDIS (Electronic Distributorless Ignition System) system with separate ignition coils (4 in total). The system will trigger the ignition off a 36 tooth wheel on the crank pulley.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><o></o>
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As the oil pump drives off the bottom of the distributor, is there a specific part I need to drive the oil pump from the camshaft, or do I need an old distributor to turn it into a blanking plate / top bearing.<o></o>
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Andy<o></o>

 

[Randy V]

The later model Ford Explorers had a DIS oil pump drive but I can't tell you what year. We may still have one in the shop - I will check this coming weekend when I get down there..

 

[Ian Anderson]

Andy

As a thaught keep the distributor and make the trigger wheel fit inside.
Saves having to have another wheel in the front of the car and pretty well hides the trigger.

Ian

 

[Andy Green]

Hi Ian
Thanks for the input. Unfortunatley doing it this way. I'd still need a standard distributor to modify and as the shaft is going at half engine speed, I'd need to ensure the ECU use can accept this as a signal, or use a 72-2 tooth wheel

Regards
Andy

 

[Ian K]

Andy,

Something like this:

Ford Distributor Cam Sync Plugs, PN 8522, PN 8506, PN 8521

Works with Electromotive as well as MSD. Might work with others.

But you could use any regular distributor, lathe off the top, and put a
cap on it. Someone on the forum has done similar.

Ian

 

[Wayne M.]

Big Foot has mentioned the right part. It is from a Ford Explorer with a 302 injected engine that has the GT40 intake and the GT40P heads. It not only provides the oil pump drive but the trigger signal too. I have been looking for one at my local Pic-A-Part yard without much success.
Wayne

 

[Jim]

Article on the Ford EDIS.

http://www.alternativeauto.com/waterbox/wb_archives/edis.html

 

[Jack Houpe]

That is great news on the return of the MSD units, they were sold out and not going to replace them 2 months ago. I used a crank trigger, bought an old 351W distributor, put the correct gear on and cut it off at the top.

 

[Al Jones]

Andy,I have one of those 302 f.i. distributorless engines in my Explorer(winter car). Lost the oil pump/drive and toasted the the motor.Had some miles on it but motor was not abused , regularly serviced,ran strong and didn't burn a drop of oil but went bye-bye anyway.Maybe just an isolated case but food for thought. If you were wondering about the model year,this is a '96.I believe the 96's and 97's were same as well as Mercury Mountaineers.Easily available in salvage yards in northeast U.S; in U.K ? A.J

 

[Andy Green]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I've now got some idea what I should be looking for

Andy