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General TR I am a serial killer [of True Spark ignition modules]

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Mink

Mink

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Yes, I know I shouldn't have, but I bought one of those brand new distributors with a True spark ignition module from eBay. The idea was simply to run it until Jeff at advanced Distributors could rebuild mine. I needed something to run for a while since Jeff currently has a 2-month backlog.

Anyway, I installed the first one and it ran great...for about 10 miles. Then it died while backing out of the garage. I swapped my worn-out original distributor back in and it fired right back up. I contacted the seller and he was very helpful, sending me a new module as well as a new coil at no charge. I installed them and all seemed well again. Well, it's winter and I didn't drive it much after that, maybe 100 miles or so. The weather here in Nor-Cal has been beautiful so I took it out for a drive today and what do you know, it failed on me while stopped in the left lane of a very busy, very fast intersection (Sunrise and Gold country for you locals). After my life flashed before my eyes while pushing it across 4 lanes of traffic on a green arrow, I popped the crappy old distributor in (I have been carrying it with me) and again it fired right back up.

So I guess I am wondering what I am doing wrong here. Are these things really that bad? I verified that my alternator (Delco) is putting out a very normal 14.3 volts so I am at a loss. It was running fine right up until it stalled.
 
Just a thought, what do you have for plug wires? At least some of the electronic conversions warn that you must use resistor plug wires instead of the original solid core wires.

My other thought is: Why not use points? They actually work surprisingly well, and almost never leave you stranded.
 
TR3driver said:
Just a thought, what do you have for plug wires? At least some of the electronic conversions warn that you must use resistor plug wires instead of the original solid core wires.

My other thought is: Why not use points? They actually work surprisingly well, and almost never leave you stranded.
Click to expand...

I'm running stock Lucas wires from Moss. I received no warning against running them.

I have nothing at all against points/condenser. In fact, that's what got me home from the scene of the crime. When I have Jeff rebuild this distributor I'm now leaning toward points instead of electronic based on my limited (painful) experience with aftermarket electronics.
 
I couldn't find a web site or instructions on-line for the "True Spark Ignition". But I did find some interesting comments on electronic conversions in general. Obviously just two men's opinions, but they are both well known in the LBC world.
https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig203.htm
 
Tom,
I am also a victim of a True Spark distributor. Mine lasted longer than yours. But I believe Randall's comment about the plug wires may well be correct. I ran the unit for several months until I changed out the silicone wires for a set of original type copper ones. Then while driving to VTR convention the car just died. I now only run points distributors in my TR4's.
Charley
 
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