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Points or electronic ignition?

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PEW

New member
May 29, 2003
140
I have a question, more out of personal curiosity than anything.

Does anyone here still prefer to use "old fashioned" mechanical points ignition, or has everyone gone over to electronics these days, even for old engines that were designed for points. If any strong views, please put them forward (I know you will).

Thanks.
 
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Quote: What do you do if you have a proprietary module like Pertronix? They are about $90 and up, and if it blows once, what's to say it won't blow again, 5 minutes after installing the spare? Unquote.

Well, I've never heard of a single failure of a Pertronix / Aldon ignition module, but I've had new condensers fail within a day.

As i said, the Aldon lookalike moduless cost me £10 ($22) each. If one fails I'll be surprised, but to fit a replacement would take me less than 5 minutes and I know the ignition timing would be as it was with the "failed" unit. No points gap to set either.

Replacement drill:

Disconnect two leads from module to coil. Remove distributor cap. Remove two screws securing module onto distributor baseplate and remove it from distributor.

Refit new module with two securing screws. Refit distributor cap. Reconnect two leads module to coil.

Start engine, drive on.
 
I've heard of literally dozens of Pertronix failures, but admittedly they are on older cars with generators. They had a lot of problems with the 6v models but appear to have solved the problem. When generator regulators cut the gen in/out at low speeds, it sends a spike thru the system that was frying the modules. They are also apparently sensitive to secondary-side inductance/RF issues, not causing failures, just poor running at higher speeds. This is an issue on older cars that ran their ignition wires in metal looms.



 
I like points because they are dead simple to diagnose, either they work or they don't and you can diagnose them with little more than a test light.

For cars that I actually have to drive, I go straight to MSD.

 
Personally, I have forsaken both styles.


I find Compression better to ignite the fuel charge than electricity.


If I had to chose though, electronics all the way.
 
Ah yes, but the kit that's used to do the fuel injection has got pretty tricky these days! Some might say more complex than the SI kit. Mechatronics as opposed to simple electronics.
 
Thanks for all the inputs.

(I think this has now run its course and can be closed).
 
If I was going on a long trip, with an HEI based chevrolet, I'd carry a point distributor for just incase.
Points were a hassle in the areas that get lots of wet weather, corrosion etc. But way easier to fix if theres a problem. I prefer magnetos over all the others. Must be a reason Aircraft engines have 2 of them, and not electronic ignition system.
Points are impervious to EMP unlike micro circuit controlled engine management and ignition systems.
 
Hi dicer,

Aircraft traditionally have magnetos because they aren't allowed to rely on the battery for ignition.

You are possibly correct about EMP causing damage, which might happen one day if there WAS a nuclear holocaust, but if it did the condenser would probably still fail - which is the reason I prefer electronic in the first place. I carry my spare module in a lead-lined box, of course ;-). I think most survivors might have to rely on shank's pony or a bicycle in any event, once that first tank of gas runs out.
 
And are there any "condensers" in an electronic ignition system?
A bike does no good if you are a handicaped person that has no leg function.
 
For crying out loud dicer what is your problem.

Regards

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I don,t have any dog in this hunt just a few observations.point igns do a decent job of firing fat mixtures across short gaps at low rpms. elec igns have a way of not just outright failing but coming and going.us elite types sometimes have trouble seeing the woods for the trees
 
Thinking back over forty years of motoring, I can definitely say that I have had more grief, breakdowns, and maintenance, problems from ignition points and rubbing blocks, than I have ever had from modern solid state electronic ignitions.
 
Headaches, yes. But points never left me in a position where I couldn't get rolling again with a few minutes work and the tools/spares on board.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
 
I have had the contacts fall of a set of points.

I have had a cam turn on the shaft.

I have had condensers fail.

I have had coils fail.

I have not had an OEM quality electronic system fail in the last 20 years.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
 
I guess I've racked up my share of miles over the years, a lot of them on points in the old days. I also did my share of maintenance on points, but it was always scheduled maintenance or in response to noticably deteriorating performance.
The only road call I ever had for ignition (road call = vehicle towed - did not drive onward, i.e. roadside diagnosis/repair was unfeasible) was for (it turned out) a failed early Ford TFI module.
I've also had a series of no-starts and a road call (in a different vehicle) for a mysterious crank pickup issue, which one could argue is part of the electronic ignition.
Nevertheless, I would always pick a good quality electronic ignition system over points on any engine where that's a feasible option.
 
...I still remember the tuners jingle: "...a MINUS on the MINUS is a MINUS" which meant a "pit" on the points' "ground" contact indicated "too little" capacitance.

...ah, the good ole' days when R&R meant "remove & REPAIR" instead of the current "remove & REPLACE."
 
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