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EverWiser
Dodge Dakota
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1/26/2005
18:44:45

Subject: Need information/advice...
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Here's my situation...I've got an '87 GenI with the POS spark control computer and electronic carburator. I am planning to ditch both. I recently scored a MP 4 barrel intake and I bought a 450cfm Holley to go on it. I've got an MSD-6A ignition box and MSD 8980 fixed curve timing computer. I know that the 3.9L is not technically an even-fire V6, although it's very close, but I think I can work that out with a modified distributor and pickup. I've already got an older vacuum advance distributor that I hope to modify to use the hall-effect triggering of the stock distributor but allow me a bit more overall advance. That's the history/plan...

My first question is "has anyone does this before and what if anything did you run into?" Secondly, what can I do to still trigger my lockup torque converter? If needed, I can "invent" something to read the speed from the distance sensor and turn on/off a relay for the lockup at or above 40mph but if someone has already tackled this it could give me a start in the right direction. Thanks for any help.



vern
Dodge Dakota
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1/26/2005
20:33:13

RE: Need information/advice...
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OK,i have no idea what this MSD fixed curve is your talking about,

i have a 87 dak 3.9 that i converted it to electronic ignition and a 318 2bbl carb 6-7yrs back that worked[i fact i still have the truck,junking it]

this is how i did mine
i removed the spark computer and wiring from truck
318 dist,wiring and ecu box from a 76 ply.[most any car or truck from 70s to mid 80s]
removed relector from 318 dist replaced with a slanted 6 relector,

also i removed the vaccumm adv from dist,
drilled the adv plate in dist.,screwed the plates together so they could,nt move[advance]
reason for this was i could,nt stop it from spark knocking with the vaccumm adv,
i also removed the mechanical adv.spring and replaced with MP performance springs $5-7 from jegs or summit

i don,t remember if i used the v6 or the slanted6 dist cap,this seem too work fine,good power,gas mileage there,ran good,still does

wired the ecu up,

this may or may not be what you are looking for,info



EverWiser
Dodge Dakota
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1/26/2005
21:22:59

RE: Need information/advice...
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That's pretty close. The MSD-6A would be used for the ignition controller and the the 8980 is used instead of mechanical advance in the distributor...It advances the timing 20 deg. from 1K to 3K rpm so that I can use the hall sensor in my current distributor. I'm sorry to hear about the vacuum advance not working; I was hoping for the extra advance on the highway. I might still try it.

Did you completely remove the stock computer and wiring? If so, did you ever do anything about the torque converter control? Thanks for the info.



vern
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2005
09:32:21

RE: Need information/advice...
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yes i removed the computer and all its wiring,
no i did,nt do anything about the lockup it did,nt seem to matter or any ill affects,

if you use a degree tape and set your total timing to 30degrees @ 2000-2300rpms you should be good for perf. and power

i fact MP use to sell a convention kit for the v6s,but they don,t now,but theres still a few around i see one on ebay 6mo or so back

if your interested theres a cam and lifters on ebay now for sale,don,t remember when it ends,cheap



EverWiser
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2005
14:17:36

RE: Need information/advice...
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I saw that set last night but when I cross-referenced it to my MP catalog it was the most radical cam offered. I want to keep a nice idle and low to mid range power so it's not the cam I would want. Thanks though...

You said you used the reluctor out of a slant six distributor, right? Being that the 3.9L is supposed to fire at 0, 128, 240, 368, 480, 608 (128 deg then 112 deg.) you had three of your cylinders firing 8 deg. ahead of time; that's probably where the spark knock came from with the vacuum advance. I'm hoping to rig up something so that the distributor picks up the hall-signal at the right orientation. I let you know how it goes.

If anyone has any info on the torque converter lockup, it will be appreciated. Thanks for the responses.



EverWiser
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2005
04:59:15

RE: Need information/advice...
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bump



EverWiser
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2005
08:17:05

RE: Need information/advice...
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One final, "bump"...



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