360 Tune Up tips (Help!!)

[mccrost]

Hey folks,

Today I went to change the wires & plugs cap and rotor on my 89 Grand Wag. WOW what a mess under the hood. Any tips I how to reach those back plugs? I am not able to even get the proper socket and wrench on them. Any tips on this process would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Dave

[marcd]

To get the back passenger side, I went up from underneath. i think I did both the #6 and #8 from there. I didn't use anything special other than a socket and possibly an extension. I don't believe I needed a universal joint extension. I do seem to recall using my hands as much as possible because there wasn't much travel room for the ratchet. It may also help to turn the wheels to the left. I think I did the drivers side (#7) from the top, again with just the ratchet.

Come to think of it - I may have put the socket on the plug first, then connected the ratchet. I remember it took a little creativity, but was possible with regular tools.

[ January 21, 2004, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: marcd ]

[mccrost]

Mark,

Thanks for the hints. Passenger side is where I started, and ran head long into the heater core cover. I got the wire off, the socket on, but the could not get the 3/8 wrench on the socket. I was thinking maybe I needed some other tool. Whats an "HEI" conversion?
Dave

[Merc69]

HEI is a chevrolet based ignition upgrade. No real knowledge in that conversion. I did the TFI and used the original distributer, upgraded parts from MSD and went as far as installing the MSD 6A control unit. No more Duraspark control unit. Better and more complete burn on the fuel.

Check the tech section for more information on the TFI conversion. Depending on where you buy your parts I have heard of less than $100.00 to $350.00 all MSD including the 6A control unit. It took me less than 3 hours to do the TFI upgrade for the first time, next time it would most likely take less than 2 hours. I know what to do the next time :D

Again I have no info on the HEI conversion, sorry.

[mccrost]

Sorry got waylaid. I'll look up the TFI conversion. Bought the 89 with 16K miles on her. Just turned 83K. Also,would like to get rid of the EPA plumbing if possible. Found an old guy up here in NC who really knows his tuff on GW's, but he goes into $$ saving mode on little things, like he cleaned my plugs rather than replacing them.

DAve

[Merc69]

Make sure you don't have any emmission testing before you go and get rid of that stuff. If you can then great. Think in terms of simple and learn everything you can from that old guy. Sounds like someone to learn from.

[mccrost]

Hey man,
I got a 20 year old Harley, I *never* get rid of anything!! smile.gif

Read all the stuff on TFI. I think this might be a worthwhile upgrade/investment. How can I tell if I've got a duraspark distributer? My 89 is bone stock. The old guy is 83 and I want him to live to 100!

[popeye44]

Work the costs out on the TFI, For me it doesn't seem reasonable to keep the old ignition module and the HEI is a single wire distributor. Ted Wendel offers a discount for ISFJA and it's a pretty good bargain. A complete HEI can be had for 165.00 shipped. "It just made more sense to me but I don't have the duraspark so it may not make sense to you :D "

Have fun either way you go.

[mccrost]

Ok. Assume I am a complete novice..ok, don't assume it..when it comes to jeeps I am a novice...
My GW seems to be running pretty well stock. I replaced the Rotor and cap yesterday and it helped quite a bit. Now you guys have me thinking about the TFI or HEI. My question is, on an 89, do I have the duraspark components? If so the TFI seems to be the simplest way to get better performance, since its pretty much plug and play. I know I had the ig module replaced in the last few months. Would the HEI be a better choice? How hard is it to replace? Where do I get hold of Ted?

Thanks

[89er]

I just did this on my 89 - you do have tht duraspark and it is as simple as plug and play - since I could do it. New parts will cost 100-125 or so depending. I got the spark plug wires for an 84 Ford f350 with the 460 - but you have to be sure and tell them it's with the ECC. My first pack I get to take back since it did not come withthe right coil wire - and I did not follow instructions and check it before I left the store. Second set came with both - go figure. Anyway they fit great and I didn't have to cut to length and install the boots. Install the base adapter, rotor, cap, the new coil, wires, gap the plugs at .45 or so and you're set. There are some excellent write-ups out there tfi 1 (http://www.trailhed.com/duraspark%20upgrade.html) tfi2 (http://fsjeep.homestead.com/TFI_Upgade.html) here are a couple I found helpful. Getting those back plugs out/in is probably the hardest part.

Good luck and you won't regret it.

[FSJ Thing]

If your engine is pretty well stock, then the only real advantage to the TFI or HEI conversion is a little more reliability. Some of the folks here have had problems with the duraspark stuff failing and for that reason switch the the TFI or HEI. If you change the compression or the cam, then you can see a significant improvement over the duraspark with the HEI or TFI. I like HEI because it's one wire. The coil is in the cap so you just need one ACC 12V lead for it to work, all the other stuff goes away. I don't know much about the TFI, but I don't know anyone who's been dissapointed by it. I say go with whichever you can do cheaper, if you feel like you need either.

[89grand]

Even if your engine is stock you'll more than likely get excellent results anyway. I installed the TFI upgrade and I got very noticable improvments in idle and throttle response and this is on a stock motor. I did this for around $120 and that included the TFI coil, large cap and rotor and sparkplug wires from like a 90 Ford truck which will include the correct coil wire.

About a month after doing the TFI upgrade my duracrap ignition module died and I replaced it with a MSD 6A. I have noticed improvements with the MSD plus the TFI over just the TFI, but more subtle than the improvements with the TFI over stock.

I highly recommend the TFI and MSD combination. Total cost was less than $300 for everything including the TFI components, the MSD 6A, MSD TFI coil wire and MSD wiring harness for the Duraspark distributor, which is purchased seperately from the MSD 6A itself.

[mccrost]

THANKS ALL for your advice..now if you ever need help on an old Shovelhead HD..just lemme know smile.gif

89GW - You upgraded to an MSD BLASTER coil & Ford wires?

Steve I kept seeing your name pop up in these discussions. I'm probably gonna do it in increments. First, TFI, then MSD, since its quite a jump in the $$.

Dave

[mccrost]

Hey guys, I jumped before RYFEM (read my F'n email) I looked at 89GW's link..sorry for the dumb question....

Dave

[Wagoneerlover]

Hey there Mccrost,

I actually ran into the same problem on my wagon last summer. I climbed under the rig and got the socket on the rear oplugs from the underside of the vehicle. It makes it a lot easier.

[B-itchy Tiger]

Hey I have a shovelhead and an 89 wagoneer too,

what are the odds of that?

A beautiful combination, I must say..

[mccrost]

Once again, thanks for all the advice. I think I'll do the TFI first. The GW has always had rough idle. Not bad..just not just so...and she stalls in the morning once. Was pricing paint for my GW yesterday - one guy quoted me at $1700. Anyone here know of any decent painters in the Charlotte NC area?

Greg, I'd say the odds are high on the Shov/GW combo. I like em both. The only downside is that I can't put my bike in the back of the GW smile.gif