Morris Minor Owners Club

Last time I had the engine I'm currently installing running, I had complaints (quelle surprise) from the neighbours (and fair enough, for once) about it causing interference to their TV picture. How and where should I fit something to stop the interference - and what exactly do I need to fit? It's a 1275 with alternator, if that makes a difference.

That brought a smile to my face

Don't rule the points and plugs out though, sometimes changing from BP6ES to BPR6ES does the job (Those are NGK spark plug numbers)

Right - I'll try that. need new ponts anyhow. I just know there's some simple electronic doohickey as well...

bigginger wrote:Right - I'll try that. need new ponts anyhow. I just know there's some simple electronic doohickey as well...

You mean something like this?

I have a cheap and chearful 1970's radio in my Minor.
No supprsssion anywhere - even on plug leads yet no interferance either.
I'd be surprised if a car engine would interfer with your neighbours TV unless the aerial was right beside it !
I had a similar problem with one of my neighbours who complained about my power tools. I pointed out didn't they think it might be the CB aerial within 10 feet of their TV aerial that was causing problem.
Try a portable TV by your car - they have crap aerials anyway.
If no interferance tell the neighbour to look elsewhere for the problem as it isn't you.

Paul Humphries

Interference is normally caused by sparks in 'free air' the plugs are surrounded by 'earthed' metal in the block and so should not be a problem, other parts of the ignition system should not actually be sparking.

If you're getting interference it may suggest poor rotor arm, leads that are past their best or poor connections at coil, distributor, plugs etc.

Check/reconnect all these things and see if that solves the problem.

A suppressor will tend to dull the spark as by its nature it is reducing electrical 'spikes'

Robs' suggestions may well work but, it could also be down to a poor aerial on your neighbours set, especially if you live in a poor reception area. If they have an indoor aerial they are going to have to upgrade
to be ready for digital reception anyway. Does your car cause problems on your TV? The normal suppression method in the old days was to fit an in-line suppressor in each plug lead and a capacitor on the dynamo.

Have you tried changing the coil? My old coil used to horribly affect the radio in mine before it gave up. New coil and problem solved.

Packedup wrote:

bigginger wrote:Right - I'll try that. need new ponts anyhow. I just know there's some simple electronic doohickey as well...

You mean something like this?

That's what I was thinking of! It's a pretty poor reception area as well. I remember when passing cars in Bristol used to cause interference all the time I'll change the coil and points to start with, since I have them already...