18 replies to this topic

[cradley-heathen]

i use "HH ignition" for my electronic distributers, and fit them in my customers cars too, never had a problem with them, and they do custom curves to match your engine if you have specific needs or a tasty engine

[tiger99]

The last time that I saw points that seemed to be always closing up, it was on a Lucas distributor basically identical to those used on Minis, and was in fact becuase the shaft bearings were worn, and were failing very rapidly. A worn shaft has already been suggested, so I will just add that it really does need to be checked. If there is significant side play, send the distributor to the Distributor Doctor for reconditioning.

 

Otherwise, it is most likely defective points, and sadly the spivs and wasters that run certain parts of the spares supply chain are rather keen on importing trash, often but not always from China, which is not fit for purpose. It may be very difficult to obtain a good set of points now, you could try the Distributor Doctor, who seems to be getting various bits, including caps and rotor arms, properly made by a competent manufacturer.

 

You may as well fit electronic ignition anyway, as has been well said. Of course some of the electronic modules on the market are also trash, so get it from a reputable supplier, not Fleabay's cheapest. (There is of course lots of good stuff on Fleabay, but even if you are highly trained in identifying counterfeit parts it is extremely difficult to tell what is what.) A decent one will last at least 20, hopefully 50 years.

[Artstu]

I once had a coil fail, the recovery firm fitted a coil off a Metro for a ballast system, and my points kept closing with the plastic heel melting slightly, not sure how or why, but the correct coil solved the issue.

[tiger99]

Ah, that one is readily explained! The wrong coil was causing excessive current to pass through the points spring, which is steel, not the best conductor, and resistive heating made the fairly useless thermoplastic insulator and heel melt. Also, as well as the coil running hot and so having a shorter life, the spark would actually be weaker, due to magnetic saturation of the coil, plus the electrical time constant of the coil, which governs its "recharge" time, being longer without the ballast resistance. Time constant (seconds) = Inductance (henries)/resistance (ohms).

 

So, as you know, don't use a ballasted coil in a non-ballasted system, and avoid points with thermoplastic insulators like the plague. The best ones were, and are, fibre.

 

Very naughty recovery firm!