Install help for new distributor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 126
Likes: 17
Install help for new distributor
Hi everyone,
I'm going to replace my stock distributor with this one from Zip:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/62-74-dragon-fire-pro-series-electronic-distributor-w-tach-drive-red-cap.html
Does anyone know the install for a direct stock replacement? I already installed the upgraded coil as suggested in the item description. I think the wires coming out of the dizzy with the black coupler are only used with EFI (which I don't have) and the grey wire connects to the negative of the coil. Is that accurate? Appreciate the help.... Wish these things came with a diagram!
I'm going to replace my stock distributor with this one from Zip:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/62-74-dragon-fire-pro-series-electronic-distributor-w-tach-drive-red-cap.html
Does anyone know the install for a direct stock replacement? I already installed the upgraded coil as suggested in the item description. I think the wires coming out of the dizzy with the black coupler are only used with EFI (which I don't have) and the grey wire connects to the negative of the coil. Is that accurate? Appreciate the help.... Wish these things came with a diagram!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I see your dilemma. Diagram shows it going nowhere.
best quess would be a electric tach signal wire. Which could be used with EFI or a electric fuel pump shutoff relay. Best guess is you don't need it. Tape it off.
best quess would be a electric tach signal wire. Which could be used with EFI or a electric fuel pump shutoff relay. Best guess is you don't need it. Tape it off.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 126
Likes: 17
Thanks, this is where I was leaning too. Will update once it's in.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 126
Likes: 17
Well, I can report that the distributor works fine with that grey wire taped off. I can also report that the grey wire is charged and needs to be taped off because with my initial crank I didn't tape it and it arced. Will call Dragonfire this week to see if I can solve the mystery for a future forum member who has the same question. Thanks everyone.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 126
Likes: 17
Well, I can report that the distributor works fine with that grey wire taped off. I can also report that the grey wire is charged and needs to be taped off because with my initial crank I didn't tape it and it arced. Will call Dragonfire this week to see if I can solve the mystery for a future forum member who has the same question. Thanks everyone.
I talked with the rep at Dragonfire and the grey wire is for an electronic tach. That's a strange thing to have on a mechanical tach distributor but here we are. Thanks for the help everyone.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Did you tell them to UPDATE their diagram? 
Funny how companies put out great information, but FAIL miserably to get it correct 100% of the time.
Funny how companies put out great information, but FAIL miserably to get it correct 100% of the time.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Would be nice if they included that information on the instructions. Someone out there might connect it to ground and burn out the distributor.
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Spokane, WA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Frederick MD
Not strange at all. A tech feed is used for more than just a tach. It’s actually a common trigger mechanism for programmable nitrous window switches where nitrous is engaged between A-B rpm.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
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No, not strange. Imagine that you decided to install a aftermarket EFI system. It would need a tach signal so it could operate. So although it's a mechanical drive distributor it's set up for carb or EFI. Also highly likely they use the same guts in this mechanical drive distributor as they do in a later distributor.
Would be nice if they included that information on the instructions. Someone out there might connect it to ground and burn out the distributor.
Would be nice if they included that information on the instructions. Someone out there might connect it to ground and burn out the distributor.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,850
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
No, not strange. Imagine that you decided to install a aftermarket EFI system. It would need a tach signal so it could operate. So although it's a mechanical drive distributor it's set up for carb or EFI. Also highly likely they use the same guts in this mechanical drive distributor as they do in a later distributor.
Would be nice if they included that information on the instructions. Someone out there might connect it to ground and burn out the distributor.
Would be nice if they included that information on the instructions. Someone out there might connect it to ground and burn out the distributor.