CONdenser

[silloyd]

I've just fitted the third replacement condenser in a year. Given the relatively low mileage that I do, this means that I'm changing them after less than a thousand miles each time.

Is this just bad luck/poor quality of components (last lot came in Lucas boxes) or could something else be causing them to pop so frequently, e.g. coil, dizzy, .....?

[MColes]

Yesterday on the South Wales run we had three brake downs that were all distributor related and only a couple of weeks back I broke down because a condeneser failed on me.

It seems that no one can make decent distributor parts anymore

[dalebrignall]

fit electronic ignition,no points or condenser to worry about then ,thats what i have done been fitted 6 years,done 30000 miles and not missfired once .

[silloyd]

What electronic ignition did you fit?

Was it the same as those on here: http://www.simonbbc.com/powerspark-kits ... nition-kit

...and did you need to do anything else, e.g. change the coil?

[MColes]

Off topic... But how have I still not seen you around Cardiff?

[silloyd]

They seek him here, they seek him there.....

I work away most of the week, which precludes me from the club meets at the Barn, and XOG normally only comes out on weekends.

However, I'm off this week - on riot control - running the monsters around for various activities, it being half term and all....so keep you eyes peeled in the Penylan / Cyncoed area. Until I changed the condenser, you would have heard me coming - spluttering up the road.

I had hoped to make the South Wales run on the weekend (santadawes kindly let me know that it was happening) but it coincided with a pre-arranged family commitment, so the social secretary said it wasn't feasible.

[bmcecosse]

Definitely using the correct coil ? If you have a meter - measure the Ohms of the coil - should be ~ 3.2 Ohms. If only ~ 2 Ohms - it's intended for a ballast ignition circuit running on ~ 9 volts.

[silloyd]

Thanks for the advice.

AFAIK it's the right coil (it came with the car), though the label has long worn away. It measures 3.2 Ohms on the nail, so I guess it's not the problem, unless faulty in some other way(!?)

[bmcecosse]

No - that will be fine then.

[silloyd]

Oh well, I'll just have to carry an ample supply of spares then - I'm getting pretty adept at swapping them now!

[bmcecosse]

Although it goes against the grain for me...... in your position I would probably have fitted an electronic conversion (or a complete new 45D dizzy) from simonbbc by now! You can easily - 'add on' a wireless suppressor capacitor on the outside of the dizzy - connected to the wire going in and fixed to the dizzy body. Works well!

[dalebrignall]

i have the magnatrinic system in my dizzy which is 45d

[hotrodder13]

i had the magnatrinic system in mine, lasted 5 months, then died, had a few problems with it. thats y ive gone with one of simon bbcs ones

[RogerRust]

I have a Pertronix Ignitor module on my MG BGT. This year I did 350 -400 miles a week for six months with no problems and I only fitted it on the B after having it fitted to two of my minors. So all in all it's been a very reliable piece of kit.

When I bought my Pertronix kit the dollar was nearly 2 to the pound so I bought it on line from the States only cost me £37.00!! the exchange rate isn't so good now, but might still be cheaper that buying it in the UK. Have a look at ww.pertronix.com.