MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Lucas Sports Coil + Pertronix Ignitor ?

Hi everyone,
I have a Pertonix Ignitor ( pos. ground) that I am thinking of having installed in my 1600 Roadster Mark 1.
The car already has a Lucas Sports Coil installed.
Does anyone know of any compatibility issues with these two items ?
The installation instructions warn against using a pertronix Ignitor with a "HEI" type coil.
Is the Sports Coil an HEI type ?
Thanks,
Ray.
RC Brown

Hi Ray,
I have the combination you described installed in my 1959 1500. So far it is working fine through a few weeks of driving.
Tom Heath

I have that combination, too. Negative ground, but that shouldn't matter. 3500 miles without any suggestion of trouble from that area.
John Vallely
John Vallely

Here too. Same combo on positive ground 59 Twin. 2500 high rev miles--no issues. In fact, much better than points. From what I've read on this BBS (so it must be true!) you need higher voltage output such as Sport Coil, when running electronic ignition.

Cheers
Paul Hanley

I have that combination in my 1962 MK-II. I did change to neg. ground first, so had to order the neg. ground pertronix. 10,000 miles later, not a single problem. I also increased the spark plug gap to .035", to take advantage of the Sport Coils higher output. I highly recommend this upgrade!
Ed Bell

Your system is NOT a HEI as used on much later cars. I have this on my 1800 with a DM2 dist. Works great.
JEFF BECKER

Thanks for your comments, guys.
It sounds good to me. I guess I will go ahead and have the Pertronix installed.
Cheers,
Ray.
RC Brown

With the Pertronix installed, don't forget and leave your ignition in the 'on' position with out the car running for more than a few moments. The Petronix unit can be ruined quickly. -M.S.
Martin Straka

Thanks for the tip,Martin.
Cheers,
Ray.
RC Brown

To clarify, you can't leave the ignition switched on without the engine running? What happens exactly?
Steve Simmons

Steve,
The Pertronix module is ruined (no spark produced at the plugs). I ruined my first unit after accidently leaving the ignition on for 3-5 minutes and with the coil getting warm to the touch during this time. I belive there is a warning buried in the installation text that says no more than a few moments. Talking to one of their engineers after the incident confirmed this. -M.S.
Martin Straka

Steve,
When I refer back to the Ignitor installation instructions I find the following in the "Ignitor Common Questions and Answers."

Q.What happens if I leave the ignition switch on when the engine is not running ?

A.This can cause you (sic) coil to overheat,which may cause permanent damage to the coil and the Ignitor .

Ray.
RC Brown

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2004 and 29/10/2004

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.