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MG MGA - New electric ignition and timing

Do you have to completely reset the timing when you convert to an electric ignition?

I've never set the timing on a car before and I'm a bit intimidated by the process.

Thanks
Tysen

Tysen

In short NO!

Scratch a line (or use a dab of correctioin fluid) that crosses from the distributor onto the clamping plate that holds it in the block. The remove the distributor from the engine by slackeing the bolt, and install the electronic unit. Make sure that the gap between the pickup and the sender is correctly adjusted (very important on the pertronix, it doesn't work at all if the gap is too big).. Then reinstall the distributor so that the scratch/paint blob is the same as when you made it, and your timing will be where it was before.

Setting timing is not as intimidating as people seem to think. If you have a strobe light, it's easy. But of you follow the process I describe above, it will work out fine if your car is already running properly.

Dominic
dominic clancy

Thanks again Dominic.

What about the rotor location? Does it have to be in exactly the same spot in relation to a distributor cap spark contact as when I took it out?
Tysen

rotor will only fit in one position (it is keyed) so no worries there
dominic clancy

Dominic

(Apologies to Tysen for slightly hi-jacking his thread). However, thank you Tysen for asking the question. I had wondered what exactly was involved. You are not always alone out there!

I have just searched for Pertronix suppliers in the UK. I came up with Aldon who you previously recommended for distributor rebuilds. They also show an Aldon 'Ignitor' electronic ignition. Do you know anything about it? How does it compare with Pertronix?

Ta

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,

I'm always glad for your company. I suspect they are the same product.

Petronix is also sold under the name "Ignitor"
Tysen

Steve

The two are the same product. I use it with happy results. It's important to get the polarity correct otherwise it blows the module inside the distributor.
dominic clancy

??????? Of course you'll have to check the timing, the chances of whatever system you use triggering in the same position as your points set up is virtually nil, you will need a strobe light to do it correctly. Could be done by trial and error but you still would'nt know if it is correct.


Steve - I've got Aldon Ignitor on my Coupe, highly recommended. Pete Burgess uses it on his race engines. The standard coil should be changed to Lucas sports coil, you can also open the plugs gaps to 32/35 thou.
Terry Drinkwater

Terry is correct on this. Even when replacing a set of points, there can be a minor difference in timing. When replacing the entire triggering system, there can be a quite noticable difference. There is a tech article on timing, and how to do it, on my website, www.custompistols.com/ which Tysen might find to be of use.

It would be an excellent idea to also confirm the polarity of the car's electrical system and to make sure the correct Petronix system is ordered and installed per the manufacturer's directions. It is not difficult to install, but I have had to help two friends who had problems when installing theirs. Thus, the beginning mechanic would find an assistant to be of benefit when doing this conversion.

Les
Les Bengtson

Thanks Dominic and Tysen

I have my old 1500 distributor that I plan to send to Aldon for a rebuild and reprofile to my 1800 5-bearing engine. I will get an electronic kit off them in the process.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Terry

Welcome back. You have been quiet for a while. Thanks for the tips.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Tysen,
Les and Terry are correct. Your car would run terribly, if at all if you left the timing alone and installed an electronic ignition system. The timing could be off by as much as 10 degrees, depending on the trigger location. Pertronix is relatively simple to install while the Crane systems have a lot more variables.
Jeff
Jeff Schlemmer

Once Tysons & Steve's questions are answered, I'd like to know if anyone else has had experience with the Aldon 101BR2 distributer? I'm wondering if its curve is too advanced for U.S. 91 octane gas? Still struggling with perineal pre-ignition knock.
Steve.
Steve Meline

This thread was discussed between 27/06/2006 and 28/06/2006

MG MGA index

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