electronic ignition

[4380r]

Thinking about installing a Pertronix ignition. Soliciting thoughts: pluses? minuses? issues?

[Valerio Leone]

I raced with it.
Simply wonderful.

[4380r]

Is there a specific part/model number compatible with a stock (other than de-smogged) TC?

[Arizona]

After several decades of struggling with a points distributor out of sight beneath the carbs I finally switched to a Pertronix and now I wonder why I waited so long. One thing you might want to consider, I believe Pertronix now makes a distributor to replace the Lucas distributor with the Ford drive. More expensive than the kit but might be worthwhile depending on the age and condition of your distributor.

[Valerio Leone]

But I've had some troubles with my rev counter.

[Arizona]

But I've had some trouble with my rev counter.

That's interesting. I was concerned about that but Don Tingle said he never heard of any problems with it so I bought the kit (LU-142a by the way) and never had a problem. I also installed the Flame Thrower coil at the same time.

[EuropaTC]

But I've had some troubles with my rev counter.

One of the comments made on the Elan forum about this problem was to take the 12v supply from an ignition switched source but remote from the coil. When I fitted mine I just followed the diagrams and use the coil as supply which is probably what 99% of us do - follow the instructions on the box ! 

I didn't have a problem because I'd converted the rev counter using modern internals, but simply taking the 12v feed from another place is apparently enough to solve the problem. I've never tried it myself but it's an interesting theory and easy enough to try ?

Another solution is the small circuit board that's now being sold on Ebay UK as a conversion for the OEM rev counters, IIRC a similar thing was again documented on the Elan forums.. 

Brian

[YellowS4DHC]

I don't believe the Lucas rev-limiting (ignition cut-out) rotor can be used with the pertronix unit because of a physical interference between the two.  This might be a consideration for some.


(Brian, can you point me to  the elan forum thread to which you were referring?)


regards
Rick

 

[exarkun1178]

the PO of my car had one installed.  then i fiddled with it while i replaced my head gasket.  fiddling is bad.  it broke.

i bought a new one from R&D.  im told it much more reliable then the points

[YellowS4DHC]

One other comment in regard to Pertronix units, and the company itself.

When the plastic sleeve that fits over the distributor shaft (the piece that houses the stator magnets) on my Elan came apart on the freeway, I inquired via email about the cost of a replacement sleeve - I didn't want to buy a whole new system.  They sent me a replacement sleeve at no cost, even paid the postage.  At that time, the Pertronix in my Elan was on the order of 15 yrs old.  They get my business with a response like that. 

I also have a Pertronix unit in my '71 Land Rover SWB, and it's 21 yrs old and never had a problem.

regards
Rick 

[EuropaTC]

Rick,

The post was from Rohan (RGH0) and it was almost a throw-away comment about half way down this page. The discussion was about the Accuspark units but I think the principle might still apply to the Pertronix and if I'd known this before I would have tried it before converting my rev counters.

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-electrical-f38/tacho-problem-with-electronic-ignition-but-not-bouncing-t29957.html

Incidentally, the comment about your Land rover is definitely something to inspire confidence - you won't get a set of CB points lasting 21yrs 

Brian

[YellowS4DHC]

Brian, thank you for the pointer. 

I occasionally get low readings on my rev counter which I've roughly correlated with ambient temperature so I'm inclined to think I may have a marginal ground.  But I might also change the power source as well as cleaning up the tach ground connection - doing each sequentially so I can know cause and effect.

(BTW, it may be a bit esoteric but I used incorrect terminology in my earlier post.  Isn't the stationary magnet supposed to be the stator?  If so, then what is the correct terminology for the rotating magnet set housed inside of the black plastic case?)

regards
Rick

[hey_kramer]

I've had the Ignitor II in my TCS for a few months now and....when it works....really like it! I also bought the Flamethrower coil. The module keeps coming loose, making the air gap too wide, thus not delivering a spark. I've had to tighten it 3 times within 100 miles. I think I need to put some sealant on the mounting screws to keep them from vibrating loose.

[3929R]

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.

[jbcollier]

"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.