electronic ignition upgrade - which one??

[Winston-Rover]

so I'm thinking about upgrading to an electronic ignition - either Pertronix or Crane XR700. which one is better. any thoughts?

I have a 1971 Series IIa with a Rochester Carb.

[BackInA88]

I went this route....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=230116214140

I got mine when they put some up for bidding, $90 I think.
Plugged right in.
And now I have a complete spare distributor.

[Linus Tremaine]

I have a disco tech as well

I chose it because, even at full cost, its still a fairly priced unit. You get the electronic upgrade and a brand new distributor.

I would suggest that your order a spare electronic module, they only cost 20 (I asked on the phone, didnt actually get one). Either that or carry your old distributor as a spare, thats what I do.

For a series two the wires are too short to reach the coil. Also, the wires that come out of the distributor are different colors than the wires that connect to the coil (there is a connector in the middle and the colors change). That is sort of stupid, but one can deal with it. I cut the connector off and soldered the wires together. Then, mark your coil with a pen what color goes on which side.

[BackInA88]

I have a Series IIa and everything hooked straight up and the wire length was fine?

OK the rest of the wiring is crap.
Someday soon I will rewire the whole rig with a complete fuse block with a universal harness.

[luckyjoe]

I went with a Pertronix unit a few years ago. It's been absolutely flawless. I chose this route because my Lucas 25D4 distributor is in great shape and I wanted to keep the vernier timing adjustment knob (one of my favorite Series LR features).


Regards,

Tom P.

[jac04]

I'm running the Pertronix in my '63 with no problems to report.

[Winston-Rover]

The disco-tech looks like a good option as well, but I don't I want to pay more for something I really don't need (since my distributor works fine).

I think I'm leaning toward the Pertronix since it's hidden inside the distributor. did you guys need to upgrade the coil for the Pertronix?

is anyone out there running the Crane XR700?

[zebrarover]

crane?

Has anyone tried the crane or illumination modules?

[luckyjoe]

I ran my orignal coil with the Pertronix for a couple years. No issues at all. last year I picked-up a NOS coil at a swap meet - still runs perfectly.

Tom P.

[msggunny]

Ivernier timing adjustment knob

Maybe i am showing my ignorance but what exactly is the timing knob? May have missed seeing that on mine, just curious.

[luckyjoe]

Here is a pic I googled:


In the lower-right corner you can see the knurled vernier adjustment knob. Turn it toward the "A" (CCW) to advance, and toward the "R" (CW) to retard. It was intended to adjust for variable fuel quality.

Here is another view:


BTW, the pics also show a Pertronix installed.

Regards,

[jp-]

Gunny,

The vernier timing knob, is a knurled wheel (on the distributor body) that allows you to adjust the timing slightly advanced or retarded without loosening the distributor. It works by pulling on the diaphragm that controls the vacuum advance. The purpose of this wheel was to allow the driver to quickly compensate for fuel quality by adjusting the advance without loosening the distributor. It's rarely needed today (in the States anyway) because the fuel quality is relatively stable. I've never needed to use mine.

[chester rides again]

Which PerTronix ignition?

Ignitor ignition or Ignitor II ignition?

[galen216]

You want the regular ignitor, not the II.

Gunny, if you have a 45D like me you don't have the vernier knob. It's on older dizzies.

[chester rides again]

Thanks for the reply, but I need the model number too

[quote=galen216]You want the regular ignitor, not the II.

And the model number? 1143, 1146A, 1244A, 1247... The are listing 64 different models of the regular ignitor.