[Healeys] Points vs electronic ignition

[Robert F. Begani]

I agree that the electronic ignition is far superior to points for all the
reasons below.  However, I thank Kees for reminding me of maintenance
because things happen.  One little magnet loose or lost may only cause a
rough idle which will drive you crazy blaming everything else.   

Bob Begani BJ8
-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Oudesluys
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2013 9:23 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Points vs electronic ignition

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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