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Anyone using an Allison or Crane on your Healey

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bighealeysource

bighealeysource

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Hey all,
I have a 67 BJ8 and it has an Allision Electronic ignition
that was installed sometime in the past. I just replaced
my complete wiring harness and although I thought I hooked
it back up the same, apparently did not as now it will not
start. Turns over great but no spark so obviously I did not
reconnect right. I have downloaded some installation
instructions I found online but thought I might see if
anyone out there in Healey land has one on their car and
can tell me the correct hook ups for this unit. Allision
is no longer made and Crane sold the unit under their
brand name for a while and now they are out of business so
no resource with the MFG. Thanks for your help,
Mike
 
Hi Mike, I have never used them in a Healey too much junk for me used them in Volvo's before Pertronix came out . if you get it going OK if not put Pertronix in if existing one fails you are dead in the water any way and switching back to points not as easy as Pertronix either.--Hint Hint--Keoke- :laugh:
 
Yes,
I have had an Allison on my BJ8 since the 70's. The biggest problem is the small Lucas distributor. There just isn't any room for the LED bracket. After my engine rebuild last year, it seemed like I couldn't get the LED installed anymore. I think I have to make a custom bracket that won't interfere with the chopper wheel. At the moment I am on points. I am lothe to put in a Pertronix as electronics inside a hot distributor doesn't make sense to me.
 
re: "I am lothe to put in a Pertronix as electronics inside a hot distributor doesn't make sense to me."


If you have a car built in the last 30 years the engine bay is lousy with "electronics" including, probably, an electronic primary ignition switch similar to a Pertronix (my 1979 Subaru had pretty much the same setup, and was reliable to a fault).

Yes, electronic components fail from heat on occasion, but mechanical parts fail from wear or breakage. Besides, the heat in a distributor is minimal compared to some electronic installations. I believe all Pertronix has done is adapt technology used in (relatively) modern cars--new cars use electronics exclusively, no distributor--to older implementations. I also suspect the Pertronix is heat-sinked to the advance plate.

The main difference between Allison and Pertronix is the Allison uses an LED and chopper block to detect distributor shaft rotation--hence timing--whereas the Pertronix uses magnets and a Hall Effect sensor . Both probably use a power transistor to switch the primary current.
 
The Allison has a great big transistor on a finned heat sink that is mounted to the firewall or in my instance the chassis strut. Another alternative I might do is use the points to switch a Mopar ignition box from the 70's. There are simple instructions on the web and a NAPA or Standard brand for the box is less than $30. These are pretty much bullet proof as well.
 
I stand corrected. I didn't know the Allison required a large external device (don't think the Crane does, but could be wrong--again).
 
Hey all,
Thanks to Ken Freese, I have the installation drawings and instructions for
the Allison unit I originally asked about. If anyone needs them, let me know
and be glad to e-mail them to you. Ken was a huge help and saved me from
having to replace it as even though the Crane unit was almost identical,
the wiring colors and hook ups were different.
Regards,
Mike
 
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