6 replies to this topic

[Laurie]

My car has 'points ignition' which is to say the least unreliable, I'm a novice 'mechanic ' if I dare even use that word! So the question is, how easy is this change? Or should I get it booked in at the same time the engine conversion takes place? (Which is incidentally something I'm not even going to attempt myself)

Edited by Laurie, 29 July 2017 - 04:56 PM.

[dyshipfakta]

It's very easy but can alter the ignition timing considerably so will need that sorting after

[KernowCooper]

In the FAQs Electrical I did a step by step on how to fit a electronic ignition kit, and yes you will need a timing light to reset the timing once fitted as the trigger point of the electronic trigger is slightly different to the heal of the points.

[carbon]

My car has 'points ignition' which is to say the least unreliable, I'm a novice 'mechanic ' if I dare even use that word! So the question is, how easy is this change? Or should I get it booked in at the same time the engine conversion takes place? (Which is incidentally something I'm not even going to attempt myself)

Are you sure it is the points which are causing the unreliability?

 

Points/condensor can cause ignition issues or failure, but so can the coil, coil wiring, distributor cap, HT leads, and plugs.

 

Would recommend getting the ignition totally sorted before doing the engine conversion, so you are starting with known reliable ignition. With another engine the chances are there will be other things to set up such as fuelling and you really don't want to be trying to troubleshoot ignition and fuelling all together. One thing at a time is best...

[Laurie]

Is anyone able to give me a shopping list of bits and bobs I'm going to need for this conversion?

[nicklouse]

find a kit and buy it.

[Cooperman]

There are pros and cons with electronic ignition.

 

The pros are less routine maintenance and more accurate control of timing.

 

The cons are the difficulty of fixing it if it fails. One can always carry a set of points, a condenser and a rotor arm and they can be changed very quickly if this ever becomes necessary.

 

If an ignition module fails, and after-market stuff may not be of a quality as good as a modern electronics module, no-one will have access to a replacement quickly. I had this when I was at an event in Cheshire and a friend's Mini would not start when it was tome to leave. Despite having my friend Will Sparrow, of Mini fame, with me, neither of us could fix it despite having access to spare points and condenser - it had an electronic ignition module fitted. In the end the car was recovered on a trailer the next day and my friend had to get a lift home.

 

So mixed feelings really. It is cheaper to keep a set of points and a condenser in the rear glove box with a screwdriver and set of feeler gauges. A points change takes a few minutes. Timing is also very easy with points.

 

Just personal choice really.