Interesting points. I'll gun them down one at a time (just kidding!) The
point about ignition (detonation is a bad word here) at the optimal moment
is mute because the pertronix has nothing to do with the _timing_. It is
just a switch, just like the points. The only way I see that the pertronix
could help here is if the spark is of longer duration. If so, then the
optimal moment may be brought into the time window of the
pertronix-provided spark. OTOH, the change in the wave propagation will
alter the requirements for timing, so you've probably created another
problem.
The hotter spark may allow for a richer mixture to burn. That has not been
my experience, but then, I'm no expert. I did try messing with the mixture
and got mixed results (pun intended).
OTOH, many claim that indexing the plugs so that the opening of the
electrodes faces the gas/air charge as it enters the combustion chamber
will add HP. I've never understood this. I always thought that you want the
charge to be ignited after all of it is in the cylinder and the valves are
closed and the pistion is coming up and the charge is compressed and bam
the plug fires and starts the burn. If that is true, then electrode radial
position should not matter. Right?
Let's hear from the experts! Les? Frank?
Cheers,
Jeff
At 1:57 PM -0500 10/28/98, Patton Dickson wrote:
> Hi again Jeff,
>
> I don't think that we are talking about any major HP change, but the
> more rapid, efficient, and complete detonation of the fuel, at the
> optimal moment, would seem to have to contribute some to power. And an
> electronic ignition would be more accurate than even a brand new Lucas
> Distributor in firing at that moment?
>
> Also, wouldn't the hotter spark at that moment allow a slightly richer
> mixture to burn as efficiently, therefore allowing more fuel to create a
> more slightly powerful detonation. (i'm just guessing here)
>
> As I said, I'm just trying to drag this liberal arts major mind of mine
> through this.
Jeffrey H. Boatright, PhD
Senior Editor, Molecular Vision
http://www.molvis.org/molvis
Mailto:jboatri@emory.edu
404-778-4113
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