electronic ignition

[hey_kramer]

hey_kramer,  Do the screws have star or split washers?

Did you replace your distributor or just the points?  If you replaced the distributor, is the replacement a Lucas?  Also, I'm wondering how much of a pain it is to get the distributor out and a new one in.  Did you remove the carbs and throttle body?

I have a new distributor (Lucas) with Ignitor II and a Flamethower coil that I've been itching to install.  I had actually planned to do (start) the swap today but upon trying to start my car (first time since winter storage) I found the plugs on the bottoms of both carbs leaking.  It took awhile to rundown new o-rings but after replacing them my car is running quite a bit better.  Could they old ones have caused a vacuum leak?  Anyway, my short test drive was too much fun so I kept going and never started on the distributor.

The IGNITOR II washers are stars, but they don't seem to prevent loose screws on mine. I put a dab of glue on each one yesterday and will see how it goes. My '73 TCS distributor is stock Lucas, but I bought a new, modern-style distributor rotor from RD Enterprises for $6, as well as a new side-port distributor cap from eBay for $22. As long as you take off the distributor cap, there should be ample room to extract the distributor itself without it hitting the carbs/throttle, for Zenith carbs anyways. Don't forget that you can eliminate the cylindrical condenser module of the distributor when you install your IGNITOR II. You can buy totally new float chamber plugs from RD for $15/piece. I did and haven't leaked gas since.

[3929R]

"It took awhile to rundown new o-rings but after replacing them my car is running quite a bit better.  Could they old ones have caused a vacuum leak?"

No, probably drained out some water or other contaminants when you drained the float bowls.

After I posted that I figured out it made no sense, as the bottom of the carbs are filled with gas or at least are so if the o-rings are not shot.  I'm not sure why my car was running better.  I'm not sure how it was running at all.  I got some diagnostic help and found the diaphragms in both carbs were in about as good of shape as the plug o-rings.  After replacing the diaphragms my car is running better than it has since awakening it from its 20 year nap in a storage container. I'm not sure why I didn't think to check them sooner.

As long as you take off the distributor cap, there should be ample room to extract the distributor itself without it hitting the carbs/throttle, for Zenith carbs anyways....   You can buy totally new float chamber plugs from RD for $15/piece. I did and haven't leaked gas since.

  Thanks.

[4380r]

You can buy totally new float chamber plugs from RD for $15/piece. I did and haven't leaked gas since.

When I bought my car my carbs were leaking gas from the float chamber plugs. Bought two new ones and they were still leaking a bit. Found some solid chambers and put them on.

[dstewart@peak.org]

my '72 TC is running Pertronix disributor, MSD 6A ignition control, MSD tachometer adapter, MSD coil, MSD wires, NGK Iridium spark plugs, and 12 degrees idle advance. This combination resulted in a immediate starts, smoother idle, a dramatic increase in acceleration off idle, and much better throttle response. I know it doesn't increase peak horsepower but sure feels like it did! Very very happy with this arrangement.