Aces EFI - the best 4.9L Option? (Page 4/5)
psquare75 AUG 20, 02:33 PM
Tomorrow! Just kidding.
Not sure really. I'm moving along on this as I go. Sooner rather than later?
Resealing the engine next week most likely.
81 4.9L X-11 AUG 28, 01:03 PM
So I got the first hurdle handled - I took a couple of Caddy distributor gears to the machine shop and had them cut to fit the larger distributor shaft of the Durospark. The Ford distributor is taller/ longer, has narrower housing but uses a thicker drive shaft, which all lends it to modifications to run the Caddy 4.X motors.

I will cut the distributor shaft to match the Caddy length and drill it to use the Caddy gear. The next thing is to sleeve the Ford housing to fit correctly in the Caddy block. I’m waiting on some specific sized aluminum pipe - hopefully soon.

[This message has been edited by 81 4.9L X-11 (edited 08-28-2025).]

madbrad01 AUG 29, 04:11 PM
Do you plan to sell these?
81 4.9L X-11 AUG 30, 08:27 AM

quote
Originally posted by madbrad01:

Do you plan to sell these?



Yes, but with a qualifier - I'm just a guy that likes building cars, not looking to have a business making parts. That said, I'm happy to help others get their builds on the road. My primary goal is to find the most strait forward way to get it to work so others have the cheat code to replicate if they want, just enthusiasts helping each other.

One of the limiting factors will be Caddy distributor gears, they're like $80+ new so not looking to buy a bunch. You can get used distributors for $25-50 at local yards & pull the gear off. Once I get it working I'll make a couple extras and will ask whoever wants one to send me a Caddy gear and everything else will be new. Or if you want a new gear, that works too.

Cheers

[This message has been edited by 81 4.9L X-11 (edited 08-30-2025).]

81 4.9L X-11 AUG 30, 09:23 PM
I finally got the aluminum stock I ordered and it looks like it's gonna work pretty well. It'll be a week or so before I can get to finish and test it, but here are a few pics. The Duraspark dizzy has significantly less contact area on the housing compared to the Caddy, so I will use a sleeve as long as the Caddy's contact pads and spot weld on each of the widest points. The stock is 40mm OD and 38mm ID and fits in the block the same as a stock Caddy distributor.

The pics have a new distributor with the Ford ignition control module, but it will not be used - the Aces system only wants the 7+1 hall effect sensor signal.













Happy Labor Day

[This message has been edited by 81 4.9L X-11 (edited 08-30-2025).]

psquare75 SEP 03, 09:10 AM
Interesting. This would open up other Ford distributors then, like a Dual Sync, or something that speaks Holley? I'm still here. Cam was sent off to Delta last week.
81 4.9L X-11 SEP 03, 10:00 AM

This Duraspark (2), Aces & Holley distributors are all Dual Sync and interchangeable. It’s the Hall effect sensor with 7 + 1 reluctor wheel that allows cam timing - the leading edge of each blade triggers spark (similar to but cleaner than an HEI), when the single half width blade passes the ECM know #1 TDC and uses firing order from there for multiport. Watching the aces videos, you can change the firing order so their system can be more universal.

Just looked up Holley Dual spark, they’re going for over $500…. I got the new Cardone distributor for $100 and the tube and gear machining are @ $50, so for those that can do the work this will be a much more affordable option. For needing one made, it would be covering time and shipping from there.
81 4.9L X-11 SEP 03, 10:01 AM

quote
Originally posted by psquare75:

Interesting. This would open up other Ford distributors then, like a Dual Sync, or something that speaks Holley? I'm still here. Cam was sent off to Delta last week.



Nice! What’s the going rate on the cam now? Guessing they don’t have any new cores if you’re sending one in for reground?

Cheers
psquare75 SEP 03, 01:49 PM
They said $160. When I called I asked if I was the only playing with these anymore, the guy said no, they do them frequently still. I asked for the "one above stock that doesn't require headwork" "Ok! Send it in!"

We'll see what I get back. I still need to get a flywheel and a clutch but I dumped a bunch recently into replacement subframe, rear axle beam, rear discs, and more.

I don't feel bad about this public discussion which is getting long, as it is all ultimately contributing to this 4.9 cause.
psquare75 SEP 03, 01:52 PM

quote
Originally posted by 81 4.9L X-11:


This Duraspark (2), Aces & Holley distributors are all Dual Sync and interchangeable. It’s the Hall effect sensor with 7 + 1 reluctor wheel that allows cam timing - the leading edge of each blade triggers spark (similar to but cleaner than an HEI), when the single half width blade passes the ECM know #1 TDC and uses firing order from there for multiport. Watching the aces videos, you can change the firing order so their system can be more universal.

Just looked up Holley Dual spark, they’re going for over $500…. I got the new Cardone distributor for $100 and the tube and gear machining are @ $50, so for those that can do the work this will be a much more affordable option. For needing one made, it would be covering time and shipping from there.



I did a Dual Sync in my F100 but when I put that together 10 years ago that's all that was out, the Terminator with the NASCAR style throttle body, and a Dual Sync.Snipers didn't exist.

Honestly if this works out, I might spring for a Terminator ECU for my Cadillac setup and use a chevy TB with the cadillac injectors. The distributor is the last piece of the puzzle. The ECU would cost more than the drivetrain did, but I've been happy with mine, overall, in my truck.