Hi Folks, why two mags on a plane engine? Same reason two solid state
ignition systems on a Nascar racer. Backup. One quits, you flip to the
other.
This 1935 Vertex is still in production today, essentially unchanged.
That says it all. Last Fall one of them ran the Evans-Osborn Ardun Gas
Roadster to a new 177 mph Bonneville record, for just one example among
many. Almost all the Ardun records in the Bonneville Rules and Records
book were set with the Vertex.
How reliable is the Vertex? The Vertex Instruction Manual sold by
Speedway Motors, which appears to have been published by Ronco, says at
10K mile or 150 hour intervals, check the contact breaker gap, and apply
a little graphite grease to its felt lubricator. My mag shop man,
French Grimes, says 85% of the Vertexes he services for circle track,
where they are very popular, will run two or three seasons of constant
racing before they need a visit to the shop again, and I can believe
him.
I know from personal experience that a good Vertex, timed right, starts
a cold engine that is primed right, instantly, and never misses a beat.
I also know from personal experience that solid state ignition is good
too. My '88 Kawasaki 250 Ninja has 74K plus road miles on it now,
cruising at 8K, redlined at 14K, and to date the ignition has needed
zero attention or maintenance, except replacing the spark plugs once.
If you want good ignition for Flatheads and Arduns, you can't go wrong
with a Vertex. For an extreme blown or fuel engine, you might prefer
the new-style Vertex with the external coil and oversize cap. Bill
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