FS Ignition

[Smitty]

Anyone running one of these units in your A? Working well, big improvement etc. How about the centrifugal advance distributor?
Thanks, Steve

[Dollar Bill]

My roadster came with a 12 volt unit and centrifugal advance. Works flawlessly. Quick starts, smooth idle and none of the maintenance associated with a points system. If I had it to do over, would get the Zipper model as it looks like Henrys original distributor.

[jerry shook]

Work"s great for me. Had one in my 31 S/W for several years no problems.

[V4F]

ive been running the FS self advance for a few years . set it & forget it . great distributor

[waxhead]

Works well for me also.

[barkleydave]

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Running FS module in stock Distrib. 12 Volt. No issues. Friend has one in his for over 18 years no failures runs perfect. Just do not forget and leave key on!

[JohnLaVoy]

I have the centrifugal advance unit on two cars and it works great on both.

[CarlG]

I have a little over 800 miles on my new engine that came equipped with the FS Zipper. Not really sure why I chose the Zipper. While it does look like the original distributor, nothing else under the hood looks original.

So far, no complaints. Just turn the switch and off we go!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

For a quick, simple changeover, the Mallory Single Point Dist is hard to beat.
Bill W.

[California Travieso]

I assume you don't need the spark advance with the Zipper. Do you have to disconnect it from the distributor or can you leave it on so it looks stock?

David Serrano

[bettlesr]

You can leave it on but the plate is locked so it doesn't move. I modified mine so I could get a couple degrees retard for climbing hills. I just leave the lever all the way down for normal driving. This is where the timing is set.

[Jordan]

We have the centrifugal advance unit in 3 of our cars. We love them.

[tbirdtbird]

"I modified mine so I could get a couple degrees retard for climbing hills"

the centrifugal advance does this automatically

[glenn in camino]

I gave up on my FS unit and went back to the original system. It now runs better than ever.

[harleynut]

I have them in both Model As and both work fine. I do carry a spare module just in case it would go bad on the road. If it does , I can send the bad one back to FS for a free replacement. Good people to buy from.

[California Travieso]

Bettlesr,

Thanks,

David Serrano

[CYB4]

I have the 6V FS ignition with centrifugal advance. Easy start, engine runs great. I can recommend it

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by glenn in camino

I gave up on my FS unit and went back to the original system. It now runs better than ever.

I am considering the same thing. I had ignition trouble on my last trip and in the middle of nowhere, I would have preferred to have an original distributor that I can repair on the side of the road.
When FS systems first became available over here, the aluminium pieces that goes on the shaft were incorrectly made. It was impossible to time them because the slot had been cut in the wrong place.
I've been in touch with them about it and they said that they would replace it but communication (email) stopped when I said I would take them up on the offer.

[tbirdtbird]

that is weird since Mel is such an accommodating person.....more accommodating than most any vendor I have ever dealt with

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by glenn in camino

I gave up on my FS unit and went back to the original system. It now runs better than ever.

We have a guy in the club that also had problems with his. Never could get it to run right from the time he bought the car. Went to stock and all is good.

I have to say that reading here about them there seems to be more good then bad.

[bettlesr]

TBirdtbird:
The centrifugal advance does not retard when climbing hills unless your engine speed drops. A vacuum advance mechanism would retard when the vacuum dropped under a load.
Dick Bettle

[tbirdtbird]

I agree fully with your statement but have never had a Model A engine not drop RPM going uphill.

[bettlesr]

tbirdtbird:
You got a point there. I don't use it very often, but sometimes a little bit helps. My distributor starts at 9-10° advanced and runs up to 28-29° from about 1800 rpm and up.
I suppose I could take it out of overdrive too.

[CarlG]

Taking it out of overdrive going up hills is difficult to remember to do, but I have found it to be absolutely necessary, no matter how good it may seem to run in OD.

[Synchro909]

BTT.
I guess Mel at F S reads this forum because this morning there was a message from him waiting for me on FB. I think it is in response to my post (#18) on this thread. Full marks to him.
He asked for my mailing address so he could send me a magnetic ring to replace the dud one. Seems in the hub bub of business, he overlooked my earlier email. Thanks Mel.

[1929]

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Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

that is weird since Mel is such an accommodating person.....more accommodating than most any vendor I have ever dealt with

Agree, very accommodating, and knowledgeable.