[Healeys] Points vs electronic ignition

[Oudesluys]

Electronic ignition is far superior to points, especially in the higher 
rev. ranges. Once the timing is set properly it will stay that way. The 
spark is more powerful so you would arguably get a better ignition of 
the fuel mixture. It certainly will start easier. There is no points 
bounce.
There is no discernible difference in fuel consumption compared with a 
well set up and maintained points system, contrary to what is claimed.

There are a few disadvantages:
-as it is a fit and forget affair you also tend to forget to maintain 
the distributor, i.e. lubrication of the felt on the top of the shaft, 
lubrication of the advance weights, checking the rotor and cap on 
corrosion/burning.
-you are stuck when the ignition goes wrong, you cannot fix it by the 
road side unless you have a spare base plate with points, condenser etc.

Make sure that you always have the right resistance on the ignition, 
generally 3 Ohm, check the fitting instructions of the electronic 
ignition, there are systems that deviate..
If you have an ignition system in your car with ballast resistor, fit 
the electronic ignition over the coil plus resistor, both are appr. 1,5 
Ohm, so 3 Ohm in total. If you would fit the electronic ignition over 
the coil only (which is often done, also by mechanics who should know 
better) you may fry the ignition. You also do well to disconnect the 
small white/yellow wire from the starter solenoid that shorts the 
resistor when starting up. Alternatively replace the coil and resister 
by a 3 Ohm coil only.
Make sure your spark plugs are set slightly wider and renew the plug leads.

I have used Pertronix, Lumenition Magtronic and Lumenition Optronic. All 
did well but I would go for the Pertronix as is seems a bit more robust.

Kees Oudesluijs
NL



Tom Felts schreef op 13-12-2013 14:19:
> I have Pertronix in my Healey and E-Type and you couldn't pay me to go back to points.  Gone are the days of fiddling with points to get the "exact" setting.
>
> tom
>
> ---- Mitch <dayton21 at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> =============
> Hello,
> B
> I can't seem to access the archives so I will ask.....................I would
> like to ask which is bestB  .......PointsB  orB  electronic ignition
> (pertronics)B  or is there a better elect. ign. system avail.? I have
> Pertronics now ....seems ok...............I am going to have my distributorB
> rebuilt/re-curvedB  by Jeff at Advanced DistributorsB  He says ...points are
> better as did a few others I have asked...............................so I am
> going to take a consensus
> pros. and cons. would be greatly appreciated..............I just want the best
> performance from my stock 1966 BJ8.
> what about ..Mallory,crane,etc.
> B
> Thanks
> Mitch
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