TR4/4A TR4 suddenly shuts down

[GTP1960]

Kens photo appears to be the Petronix, using a magnet/cylinder inside a plastic shell that slides under the rotor.

This picture is my Crane unit, with a "window"/cylinder cut for the sensor, and an external control box.

I had Petronix on my TR6, and presently a Crane on my TR3, as well as points on both. I can say there are advantages/disadvantages to any method. But, I can also say that I carry a complete ignition fitted with points in my car as insurance.

if you did have to do a roadside swap of a "complete ignition" equipped with points: what would be the steps involved?
i currently have a petronix in my 3.

best regards

 

[Geo Hahn]

if you did have to do a roadside swap of a "complete ignition" equipped with points: what would be the steps involved?

I carry an extra base plate with the points and condenser already installed (you can even pre-set the points gap). With that it is only 2 little screws to swap the base plate out & in -- just be careful not to drop a screw into the distributor.

Interestingly enough, the same base plate can be used in both my 4 cyl and 6 cyl car.

I do not have Pertronix but even if you are running stock points an extra 'loaded' base plate is a handy thing.

But then, where ignition is concerned, on long trips I simply carry one of everything:

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

I don't carry a coil, but the rest of the system, including known good plugs. It fits easily inside the spare. A backup is the next best thing to redundancy. Two nuts, and the whole system can be swapped out. Maybe the side of the road timing could be better, but in the case of complete failure, my guess is I can make it all the way home on the 'spare' with points.

In my TR6, I only had the points plate and wire changes. I've never had an electronic unit fail -or coil (yet). I've had points, condenser, and rotor failures.

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I've never had an electronic unit fail -or coil...

Now you've gone and said it.

 

[mcmillal]

This has certainly become an interesting thread. Lots of good stuff. Well, I'll update everyone with how my situation turned out. I fixed the fuel leaking carb problem which appears to have been a stuck float. After that, the car just would not start. The engine would turn over, but never catch. I was getting fuel to the carbs, so I check for spark. Hmmm? Not a lot going on there. I thought, ok, maybe the coil, maybe the Pertronix. I revert back to the points, still nothing. To make a long story shorter, My battery was being a little suspect, constantly running out of juice very quickly, so I bought a new battery, installed it, and the car started. Wow! So I figure I'll re-install the Pertronix and I'm back in business. No such luck. The car would not start. Back to the points and VROOM! So, not to self, do not leave the ignition turned 'on' for ANY length of time if you are using a Pertronix. Mine is obviously KAPUT! So, after setting the points gap correctly and a slight adjustment on the vacuum advance, the car ran super. I was very pleased to get things going again, because I had planned to attend the Grand Prix Festival at Watkins Glen for almost a year. So, off I go, 5 hour drive from west of Toronto down to Watkins Glen on Thursday, participated in the Knapp Roadster Tour (160 miles) with two laps on the old road course Friday(super fun!), and drove home Saturday. no issues with the car at all. She ran great the whole time. I'm pretty sure I had a grin on my face from ear-to-ear the entire time. The Festival itself was fantastic! Lots, and I mean lots, or great cars. I'll be going back again next year.

.............Cheers, Alex

 

[mcmillal]

Lined up waiting for my two laps of the old road course.