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MG MGB Technical - Pertronix Ignition - Opinions ?

Greets,


I have a 79 MGB with a Lucas 45D4 distributor ( original electronic ignition was replaced for distributor curve reasons, new high performance lucas coil ). I have access to a smog anaylyzer and found that the modification increased emissions ( I examined the difference in timing ).

The power curve improved, however it doesnt spring into life the way it did before, and does not run as well when first started.

It appears that the original electronic ignition provided a hotter spark.

I would appreciate information on the pertronix IGNITOR ELECTRONIC IGNITION:
1)Does it install well on a Lucas 45D4 ?
2)Does it improve performance ?
3)Does it improve emissions ?
4)Quality of components ?

Thank you


Dennis Wagoner

I installed a pertronix kit and coil on my 45d4 and so far I feel that it has been a great improvment in spark
and how well the engine revs up very smoothly
Also added 8.5 mm MSD wires
Easy to install and so far no problems after 2000 miles
Fired right up today after sitting since Oct
Don't know about emissions as I am exempt
Ron Looye

Dennis-
If you present distributor suffers from the dreaded "points wobble" (caused by a worn distributor shaft bushing or a slightly bent shaft), the Pertronix unit will improve ignition performance because it's a pointless system. If you fitted a Lucas Sport Coil, open your spark plug gap to .038 so that you'll have the advantage of a fatter spark. That's what an uprated coil is for.
Steve S.

Dennis. Some thoughts. First, the Lucas Sports Coils available in the US seem to be the 12V kind. I have heard that you can purchase a 6V sports coil in the UK, but have never seen one. The ignition system on the 79 has two inputs to the coil. One coming off the starter solenoid, providing a full 12V on start up, and one coming through a resistor wire, providing 6V, when the key is in the "run" position. Thus, if you have not modified the wiring, you are not providing full voltage to the coil most of the time. If you purchased the system from Brit-Tek, the instructions should have been included. The Brit-Tek system I just installed on my daughter's car, replacing the old Opus system, modified by the addition of a Luminition "electronic ignition" fired up and ran quite well from the start. I do, however, have to set the choke exactly right if the car is to run smoothly until it is fully warmed. (Her car has a Weber DGV, as does my 79. Similar situation with my 68 GT.) I have posted my thoughts on the "electronic ignition" systems on my website, www.custompistols.com , then click on the MG section, then articles. I replaced the "pointless" ignition system on my daughter's car because a points type system is so easy to trouble shoot when there are problems. You might wish to review my analysis, in the website article, as see how you feel about such things. Les
Les Bengtson

I had a petronix fail on me after about 500 miles. But I sent it back and they quickly replaced it for free and so far so good. Also startups have gotten a lot faster... for what its worth.
Bill
Bill Mertz

Les,

The Brit-Tek comes with an internally resisted coil Lucas sport coil correct? No need for the external resistor wire?

Thanks,
Tim
Tim

Tim. The Brit-Tek unit I just received seems to have the 12V Lucas Sports coil. Since my daughter's car already had a Sports Coil and was wired for 12V input, I did not have to change it. From the instructions included with the package, yes, my reading indicates the resistor wire is not used. All coils have some internal resistance. Exactly what that resistance is tells you if it is a 6V or 12V input coil. Les
Les Bengtson

I'm using a Ignitor II (pertronix) with a Sport Coil and Accel 8mm wires. So far (over 5000 miles) no problem...I have a MSD 6AL sitting next to me in my study...perhaps if it stops snowing (25 inches so far) i will stop with the snowblower and start with the MG

rn
RN Lipow

oh, the dizzy is a 43D..i had used it in a 45D4 Opus and it worked just fine

rn
RN Lipow

I ran a Pertronix in a 25D4 for about a year and was mostly pleased with it. It was the earlier style, not what's currently shipping. The only problems I had with it were that it made the tach jump and twitch (a known issue with them), and it failed one day without warning because the ground wire had fatigued and broken where it goes into the body of the Ignitor. I'm running points again for now, but I'll probably get another Ignitor at some point.

I used a Bosch blue coil with it. Not per any grand design, mind you -- I needed a coil and already owned this one. The blue coils don't require an external ballast resistor....
Rob Edwards

This thread was discussed between 15/02/2003 and 17/02/2003

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