Electronic ignition upgrade

[Sydney1]

I've got a 1700 Type 4 engine with a single carb and thinking about upgrading to electronic ignition. I've never had any problems with the standard set up but doing an increasing amount of mileage and there's a first time for everything. I'm also planning on doing more of the maintenance myself.Apart from the cost, are there any downsides to the change?
I've got a 1700 Type 4 engine with a single carb and thinking about upgrading to electronic ignition. I've never had any problems with the standard set up but doing an increasing amount of mileage and there's a first time for everything. I'm also planning on doing more of the maintenance myself.Apart from the cost, are there any downsides to the change?

 

[jacksoncaddy]

I had electronic ignition 'professionally' :? fitted on Friday - a Petronix Ignitor 2 to be precise. It's opened a whole can of worms for me and the bus runs like crap now. Two 'specialists' have failed to get it running right since. At first it was running on two cylinders, now it runs ok but the timing is so far off it will barely start

Might be totally unrelated, but I wish i'd stayed with points and condenser. It was sweet as a button before Friday!

 

[Syncronaut]

I haven't gotten around to installing a Pertronix on my 1700 yet, but I will... Richard Atwell has some tips in his "Guide to essential upgrades" here: http://www.ratwell.com/technical/EssentialUpgrades.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[uber cool]

I have had 2 of these kits fitted to my buses over 6 years, never had a problem. Probably done 12 k miles no problems, complete piece of mind. Simple to fit in 15 mins max. If you can fit a set of point you can fit these.

Remove dizzy cap
remove rotor arm
remove and bin points and condensor
fit petronix's unit. (only a crosshead screwdriver required)
connect the red and black wires across the coil
refit rotor arm and dizzy cap
start engine, check timing

job done.

 

[Joval]

I've had Pertronix fitted for years too without any issues.

 

[noddy]

had a petronix ignitor in for 3 years no issues with stock coil leads and plugs, blocked carb jet was the source of some starting problems I had.

 

[timmo24]

Do it!

I've had Aldon Ignitors, And Magnetronic electronic ignition in other vehicles which are exactly the same thing as the Pertronix and they are brilliant. I've just bought a set for my bus. (Wish I'd fitted the day before I broke down-Sunday Volksworkd!) (true- you might get the odd one that fails) but you could always carry a spare set of points and feeler guages with you).

You should only feel benifits from these!

 

[froggy]

I upgraded to petronix and i've had no issues.
Starts almost 1st time (battery issues :x ) seems to drive smoother andas previously said, carry a set of points and a condensor (feeler gauges already in the tool kit :lol: ) and worst case scenario, the petronix fails within 15 mins you can swap back to points and your back on the road

 

[KateLovesPurple]

Do it!

I've had Aldon Ignitors, And Magnetronic electronic ignition in other vehicles which are exactly the same thing as the Pertronix and they are brilliant. I've just bought a set for my bus. (Wish I'd fitted the day before I broke down-Sunday Volksworkd!) (true- you might get the odd one that fails) but you could always carry a spare set of points and feeler guages with you).

You should only feel benifits from these!

Definately worth fitting but if they fail, and I have one that failed in my fasty, there is a possibility that it could take out the coil as well, so not much point in carrying a set of points just in case. That was the case for me once anyway, but to be honest, it might have been the other way round, the coil might have failed and taken the pertronix out! I'll never know now.

Anyway, fit it and forget it, well worth doing! So long as you set the timing properly afterwards.

 

[Sydney1]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll go for it!

 

[theanimalbus]

I fitted pertronix elecy ignition and flamethrower 2 years ago ,


Brilliant no issues