Electronic ignition.

[Willie]

I must say, having read the link to Pertronix that it seems the ideal answer to the 'points' problems. Since it works on the 'Hall Effect' which is the same system we used in our keyboards in the press there should be no problems unless the magnet falls off!!(highly unlikely). There are no extra 'electronics' introduced so it should be extremely reliable.

[Kevin]

It also comes with a 30 month warrentee which says something for the quality of the unit.

[zippy500]

Maplin sell a kit, electronic ignition, which keeps the points just for switching, taking the load away fom the points, you have to disconect the condensor.

Which I thought was a good idea, if it failed it would be easy set the original setup.

Says points only needs resetting every 30,000 miles.

[Rob_Jennings]

bit of a half way house and the condensor is not a great problem (yes they do fail but not often) keeping the mechanical components which is where most the the wear is, seems a bit silly.

[Kevin]

Maplin sell a kit, electronic ignition, which keeps the points just for switching, taking the load away fom the points,

Sounds similar to the old Sparkright system that used to available.

[Stig]

Sounds similar to the old Sparkright system that used to available.

I've got one of those somewhere!

[alex_holden]

I bought one of the Pertronix kits from Retro Rockets and it arrived today. It looks OK, though I probably won't have a chance to fit it for a few weeks yet.

According to the instructions, the banana-shaped adapter plate screws straight onto the unmodified distributor base plate, so swapping back to points and condenser would only take a few minutes. There's a little rectangle of clear plastic included in the kit that isn't mentioned in the instructions, but I read elsewhere that it's for setting the ideal gap between the hub with the four magnets in it and the face of the sensor. The wires are much longer than they need to be to reach the coil, so I'll trim them down and crimp new connectors on the end when I fit it. Wiring it up is as simple as connecting the red wire to the positive side of the coil and the black wire to the negative side, though this model will only work on a negative-earth vehicle.

I'm still not entirely sure if I've paid VAT on it, as there was no invoice included with the kit (I've only got the emailed Paypal receipt).

[Packedup]

I've got most of the Metro/ Maestro etc Lucas electronic dizzy (will one day bodge into something to replace the old 45 or 25d on one of my cars). In terms of spares, the module on the side of the dizzy can fail, and I've had the wound rotor arm thing start to give up. Both are very small and easy to fit (small socket on a 1/4" extension and ratchet and a cross head srewdriver are the only tools needed) so I can't see a problem keeping a spare set in a box in teh boot

[dp]

I had a Maplins unit fail last week on the way to a Rally. AA man eventually re-instated the condenser to run as per original. Not an A series engine but the principle is the same. Anyway, I've been thinking hard about my future strategy in terms of reliability, especially as I was planning to go over to fuel injection. What I think I'll do is make up two new Maplins ignitions and still leave the condenser in place so I can switch between all three.

[alex_holden]

Personally I don't think the points booster as sold by Velleman in kit form is a very good idea - it adds to the complexity of the system without eliminating the mechanical points. It may reduce contact erosion due to arcing, but it won't stop the heel wearing down from rubbing against the distributor shaft lobes.

[dp]

... but it won't stop the heel wearing down from rubbing against the distributor shaft lobes.

Hmm that's something to think about. Points for the Fiat engine are getting a bit hard to get hold of. If they are still going to wear out even with the electronic system it makes that idea less attractive. That said, the velleman probably lasted 10 years before failing. And at that point I was able to use the ten year old points and unused condensor, the dwell still being pretty much spot on according to the AA man.

[weathergirls]

ive used a petronix system in my vw van.
my son was not even one yr old when i fitted it, hes 15 in october.
brilliant if you dont like fiddling.
i feel an engine or gearbox would be more likely to break down than that unit.

each to their own i suppose

[alex_holden]

I fitted a Pertronix module to Fenchurch just before the LEO run and it's working great - very smooth idle (Onne commented on it), and no missing at all.

[overider]

Hi i fit the Lumenition magnetronic electronic ignition a few years ago now and touch wood I have not had any problems yet. I also did the Barnsly Jogle (John O Groates to Landsend) in 2006. Cant fault them. when i first fit it i carried a second hand fully set up distributor in the boot just incase.

[YummyMummy]

I've just had the ECU on my fiat go t*ts - 4 weeks & 500 quid later got it back. Thats why I want to revert back to a good old car with only two fuses!

[bmcecosse]

So be wise and keep the standard ignition system - it works, and if it does fail - it can be fixed at the roadside in minutes (DIY or AA/RAC) and at v low cost.

[PaulReckless]

Myrtle, my Traveller has a Velleman Transistor assisted ignition system fitted: very reliable. This system uses the points and because the current through them is very low, there is no pitting of the points: this means less adjustment / changing. The only down-side is that you have to disconnect the condenser in the distributor.

It is easy to revert to conventional ignition although you would have to reconnect the condenser (actually Myrtle's is ready to reconnect OUTSIDE the distributor).

The Velleman kit isavailable from Maplins but requires assembly: about £10.