• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Electronic Ignition..............

Share this page

Maybe you should make this a poll? Anyway - I prefer points for a simple, mostly trouble-free, reliable & easy to maintain ignition.

You rarely see a post from someone wondering why their points don't work.
 
I'm pretty new to this board and I've only had my little TR6 (affectionately called "The Money Pit" in my household) for about two months now.

I purchased the Pertronix electronic ignition from TRF. My dealings with electronic ignition are mainly with American cars that I'd converted over from points and I must say, that once all the components where in place, I've never had a failure. Not to say that things don't wear out in time, but if all the other ignition components are in good shape, there's no reason why an electronic ignition module won't provide you with years of good service.

I installed the Pertronix unit in about 1 hour and that includes 20 minutes of fishing down into the distributor for a screw that I dropped into it.

It started on the first turn.

Just my .02 worth, your mileage may vary.

-Shannon
 
There's too many stories about Eletronic Ignition Systems failing. Those stories were enough to make the previous owner of my car leave the "good ol' points" in the car.
I've had my "Money Pit" about 2 months too,...and I'm pretty happy with the whole thing, I don't think I'll make the change to Electronic Ignition.
 
I also agree. Points are so simple and easy to fix/set that there really is no need to rely on electronics. Did I mention that I hate electronics? They're less reliable than mechanical objects. Plus my fear of trying to fix anything electronic.
 
I've installed an electronic system on our Sptifires and, so far, they seeem to be reliable. I do carry the points and condenser in the trunk just in case... I find the car starts with fewer spins of the starter. That's only a problem because I would prefer to build a little oil pressure first. Installation on each car was simple. What blew me away was the electroninc ignition I installed on my son's TR6. Just take the points and condensor out a install the new unit. NO adjusting. Again the car starts readily and runs through the RPM range without missing a beat. T.T.
 
I installed the pertronix ignitor in my Austin Healey. The car starts very easy (much better than before) and idles smoother at lower rpm's. It also seems to warm up better, in less time. Perhaps, just a new set of properly adjusted points would have had the same result, but I am satisfied with mine.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think it's called 'progress'.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well put. I have used the Pertronix on my six and another classic car for years with no problems. I have enjoyed the quick starts, smooth running, and time freed-up by not fiddling with gaps and dwells. Don't forget to spend good money on an excellent set of ignition cables (like Magnecor KV85's--don't fall for the 'green' cable hype) or you will be strangling the e-ignition's output. But of course I carry a spare pointed distributor in my boot "just in case." Go for it!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think it's called 'progress'

[/ QUOTE ]

This thread and that comment get to the heart of an issue that confronts anyone in this hobby. There are many modifications and upgrades that will make our cars safer, more reliable, better performing or easier to maintain. Yet, each such modification alters, even if only slightly, the original character of the car.

What each of us has to decide is what we want our car to be.

Safety is pretty easy and I don't think even the strictest concours judging penalizes for the basic mods such as seat belts (on cars that did not originally come with them). Beyond that it is an individual choice with no right or wrong answers.

For me, the element of unpredictability that comes with 70-year-old technology is part of the delight in maintaining and driving these cars.

For others that factor is just a pain in the butt and electronic ignitions, hi-torque starters, solid-state fuel pumps, alternator conversions, Weber carbs &/or engine swaps make sense and enable them to enjoy their cars more.

So perhaps the original question 'Is it worth it?' applies once someone has in mind what degree of originality they are willing to live with.
 
Well-said, Mr. Hahn!

Back in the days these cars were used, breakdowns were sort of expected. At least, we didn't get so upset when they did happen. I think we have come to expect a certain reliability that would have only been a dream back then.

My TR3 has the Pertronix Ignitor in it, and it's been very dependable. But then, I've only driven it a couple of hundred miles since I put it on months ago. I also have the hi-torque starter, because my original one went belly-up, and I thought I'd give it a try. It spins the motor over much faster, and I'm assuming it causes less drain on the battery. I want my car to look original, but I also want to be able to get in it at the end of the day at a show and drive 40 or 50 miles to get home the same evening.

Mickey
 
Back
Top