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04-28-2011, 08:47 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lowell MI
Posts: 167
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Electronic ignitions
What do you think about going to electronic ignitions like the FS. It seems like this could eliminate a lot of spark problems.
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04-28-2011, 09:18 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yorkville, IL
Posts: 126
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Re: Electronic ignitions
I've been running a Remund distributor since 2004. Cost $275. Works very well. Auto advance. Instant starts, even with the crank. Engine seems to run smoother and stronger than with the stock distributor, though mine might have been worn.
On the other hand, I'm still using points in my '78 Suzuki. Last edited by ChicagoBob; 04-28-2011 at 09:19 AM. Reason: Addl info |
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04-28-2011, 09:35 AM | #3 | |
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Location: Eastern Tennessee
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Quote:
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04-28-2011, 09:42 AM | #4 |
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Location: Temecula, CA
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Re: Electronic ignitions
The Model A ignition system is a cause of many driving problems, I recommend the FS units.
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04-28-2011, 09:58 AM | #5 |
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Re: Electronic ignitions
For those of you that have used both, pro's and con's between FS & NuRex??
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04-28-2011, 10:45 AM | #6 |
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Re: Electronic ignitions
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04-28-2011, 11:05 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lowell MI
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Re: Electronic ignitions
I am new to Model As and have no issues with my modern points, but it seems like more people have issues with points and condencers than most other things so I am trying to be proactive so I can enjoy a summers driving with one less concern. Thank you very much for your input.
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04-28-2011, 11:40 AM | #8 |
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Location: Alpharetta, Georgia (Atlanta)
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Re: Electronic ignitions
I have run the FS Modern Ditributor (6V) for three years. Part way through my first year I tried to start it in the garage and nothing. Returned to FS. Looks like I must have burned out the igniter with the key left on? Don't remember doing that, but FS was excellent. I bought a replacement igniter and they sent back the unit with a new igniter and a spare that I bought. I still love the way it drives, but I keep a totally functional original distributor in the car in case this igniter dies at any time. Can't go wrong dealing with FS
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04-28-2011, 11:59 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: McPherson, KS
Posts: 197
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Re: Electronic ignitions
I put an FS zipper in my coupe a couple months back and I like the reliability. I'm not completely sold on the centrifugal advance because I haven't been able to get a timing light on it at high revs, but haven't had any problems.
I think because I have "speed stuff" on my engine (headers, Weber carb, hc head) the temps were killing condensers--I went through three condensers in five months . Not having to hassle with keeping spares and doing replacements at the same frequency as oil changes will be a nice feature. Also nice is that anyone can drive my car now without my needing to explain or supervise use of the spark lever. Though I suppose there might be folks out there who like having an excuse for not having their car driven by others |
04-28-2011, 12:19 PM | #10 |
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Location: Kalamazoo
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Re: Electronic ignitions
I bought a Nurex unit several years ago, but before I got around to installing it, the "boxless" Pertronix unit came out and I went with that. I had to imagine there was a performance difference between my previous modern-point mod and the electronic, except (1) the coil sure gets hot at idle, (2) it draws about twice the amperage in that moment between turning on the key and actual starting, so you will drain the battery fast and possibly do some damage to the unit if you accidentallly leave the key on, (3) you can't use the trick about watching or listening for the spark at the points when you're setting the timing, and (4) I'm now one of the club members who NEVER has to stop along the road to reset his closed-up points.
I would be eager to sell the unused Nurex unit cheap if anyone is interested. Steve |
04-28-2011, 12:41 PM | #11 | |
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Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Quote:
The big advantage of this is, no extra cost, easy to fix on the road if there is a problem, and it's nice to keep the car as original as possible. My original coil gives the spark plug good fire to start the mixture burning, and never misses, so I'm having a problem understanding how a spark from some other ignition is going to improve my car's performance. |
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04-28-2011, 12:51 PM | #12 | |
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Location: Eastern Tennessee
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Quote:
One other thing I would like to point out is that using the FS Pertronix set-up will not cure problems resulting from a worn out distributer, ...which ironically, is the root problem of why most people have ignition problems to begin with IMHO. . |
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04-28-2011, 01:04 PM | #13 | |
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Quote:
very true!!
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04-28-2011, 01:35 PM | #14 |
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Location: South East NJ
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Re: Electronic ignitions
I know my brother's original points have been very unreliable.
After 40 years, the used points that came with the car in 1970 still work great. After the first 16 years dealing with old type condensers he got a new burn out proof condenser with a solder tab. The solder tab broke off. He ran it with the tab bent to touch the can for a bunch of years. He told A&L and they handed him a new spot welded tab condenser which he change out the working condenser a couple of years ago. He has to baby his car these days after a rod lost it babbitt. He slid in another unmatched rod which unbalanced the engine some. He tries to keep in no faster then 55 MPH. Before he would run upwards of 65 MPH. Yup, those original points with a modern burn out proof just can not be trusted and does not let the car perform well. |
04-28-2011, 02:16 PM | #15 | |
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Quote:
Tongue in cheek?? |
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04-28-2011, 02:33 PM | #16 |
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Location: Jordan, MN
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Re: Electronic ignitions
I have had a Nu-Rex unit in my Pheaton for over 50,000 miles. The only issue I have had with it was at about 12,000 miles when I lost good ground contact from the electronic module to the frame. It took about 400 miles of unreliable starts to trace the problem. I carry a spare module with me. I had to remove some of the stock components to install the Nu-Rex so simply switching back to a stock distributor on the road would be a bit of work. I have the removed components in a sealed container and carry it under the seat...just in case. With the fellow Model A people I travel or tour with, someone or two have a spare distributor ready to go. So I consider myself triple covered.
If I were purchasing an electronic ignition system now, I would purchase a unit that totally resides in the distributor. I would then carry a spare distributor with stock components in it as a back-up to the electronic unit. I am building an era hop up and plan to purchase an FS Ignition unit when it is ready to hit the road. Good Day! Dave in MN |
04-28-2011, 03:47 PM | #17 |
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Yes Tongue in Cheek.
It never fails to amaze how people 'upgrade' to modern thinking it is more reliable. Then you read about the spare distributer in the trunk and how it only took 400 miles to find a bad ground. The electronic units have a use, but that is not on 99% of the Model A's running. If you are running hot engine you need the extra spark for the high compression. Subtle stuff will upset an electronic module. Yes, done right they are fine. How many guys understand the electrics well enough to know right and wrong? I just helped my brother fix a Ferrari Testerosa. It would not run right and the Ferrari guys couldn't figure it out. Turned out to be bad grounds to wire terminals and bad crimps on the wires. Real subtle stuff. Everyone else just assumed it was a fuel air delivery problem and played with all the screws. The same stuff that could happen with how guys are going to wire in their electronic units on their A's. The Ferrari is just an over priced kit car using the same wire ends you see in guys shops. No steps were taken to keep weather from damaging the connections. A little of water, maybe some summer humidity and in 5 to 10 years the connections get a little extra resistance. Car will start to run strange and then what do you do? Mean while the guy with the original distributer set up correct will probably be passing the car untouched to his son and his sons son. I should add, I was just using Dave to put a point across (thanks Dave for being understanding). Dave is running a high compression engine with many mods and the electronic ignition brings many advantages in his set up. Dave is a very experienced A builder and did what was best for his build. He did not just put the modern stuff on because it was new and should be better. Last edited by Kevin in NJ; 04-29-2011 at 10:19 AM. Reason: Give proper credit to Dave |
04-28-2011, 06:58 PM | #18 | |
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Location: Southeastern Connecticut
Posts: 464
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Quote:
Convert an 18th century flintlock rifle to percussion ignition and it may fire every time, but it's no longer an 18th century flintlock rifle. Everyone in every hobby has a right to do what they please. I might choose a different path if I had to hunt for food, or if I had to drive my "A" every day. However, since my flintlocks and my Model A are hobbies, I'll stick with original ignition. |
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04-28-2011, 07:38 PM | #19 |
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Re: Electronic ignitions
A couple of important things to remember is if you have one of those new fangled systems and have a problem on a tour probably nobody will know how to fix it or have extra parts in their car. I watched a very nice newly purchased '31 woodie go home on a trailer for those reasons. If you get one, understand how it works and carry extra parts.
Charlie Stephens |
04-28-2011, 07:44 PM | #20 | |
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Re: Electronic ignitions
Quote:
MY THOUGHTS ON ANOTHER THREAD= http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35352 We also offer a new Mallory unit for the Model A curved for auto matic advance. Comes complete with new cap and rotor, single contact for $ 150. |
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