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Kevin in NJ · 10-01-2014, 02:32 PM

The original ignition properly restored will last for decades.
If the rest of the car is restored properly you will be able to run the car for extended periods of time at or above 60 MPH and expect over 20 MPG at those speeds.
You will have have to adjust the points. More often at first as the wear block mates to the cam. Then much less frequently.
The major plus is if something messes up with the original system it is likely that you will get back home. It will even work with an almost dead battery, just have to hand crank the start.

The electronic system may last for a while, but if they are not using lead based solder then it may fail from tin tendrils. These can happen even if just sitting around.
The electronic system depends on the voltage to be above a certain point. So a weak battery and the voltage drops below the critical point then you will not have ignition.
If the system fails you are stuck and you will need to be towed home. Some carry a spare dist just in case.
The electronic ignition may give you a slightly hotter spark.

So that is the basic difference. Some like having latest and greatest, but the originals system properly rebuilt with a burn out proof condenser is unlikely to ever fail. The probability of the electronic failing is much greater (I am an electronics engineer who has to keep old electronics working).

As long as you understand the limits of the electronics they work fine and you are likely to get many miles out of it. Your benefits are not much unless you are running a much higher compression head where a hotter spark would be an real advantage.

The original system with a good set of points (even old used points) should last decades with just occasional lubrication and adjustment. It is important to note that the points only need to be changed when the have something wrong which should be decades unless you are driving tens of thousands of miles a year.

10-01-2014, 02:32 PM	#9
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Electronic Ignition The original ignition properly restored will last for decades. If the rest of the car is restored properly you will be able to run the car for extended periods of time at or above 60 MPH and expect over 20 MPG at those speeds. You will have have to adjust the points. More often at first as the wear block mates to the cam. Then much less frequently. The major plus is if something messes up with the original system it is likely that you will get back home. It will even work with an almost dead battery, just have to hand crank the start. The electronic system may last for a while, but if they are not using lead based solder then it may fail from tin tendrils. These can happen even if just sitting around. The electronic system depends on the voltage to be above a certain point. So a weak battery and the voltage drops below the critical point then you will not have ignition. If the system fails you are stuck and you will need to be towed home. Some carry a spare dist just in case. The electronic ignition may give you a slightly hotter spark. So that is the basic difference. Some like having latest and greatest, but the originals system properly rebuilt with a burn out proof condenser is unlikely to ever fail. The probability of the electronic failing is much greater (I am an electronics engineer who has to keep old electronics working). As long as you understand the limits of the electronics they work fine and you are likely to get many miles out of it. Your benefits are not much unless you are running a much higher compression head where a hotter spark would be an real advantage. The original system with a good set of points (even old used points) should last decades with just occasional lubrication and adjustment. It is important to note that the points only need to be changed when the have something wrong which should be decades unless you are driving tens of thousands of miles a year.