Converting points to electronic ignition

[AE86less]

I've just gone and bought a 1971 Austin 1300, it was running really badly due (I think) to a bad ignition system. This is the first car i've owned that actually uses this ignition system, so bear with me.

I tried changing the points while not realising how important it is to get the gap right. I have no idea what the gap should be until my workshop manual gets here. In the meantime my mate has told me that it's possible to convert to an electronic ignition system, I did some looking on the web and it's possible to get kits that leave the engine looking stock but are better

Has anyone got any experience with this? I'm looking for an opinion or any advice before I go and fork out minimum $250 instead of playing with the existing system. Chur.

[Lloyd]

Set the gap so it looks like its open half the time and closed half the time Cant remember measurements, usually just try and look at it and then tweak it with the dwell readings.

30 thou ish?

[MAGN1T]

Probably closer to 12 thou.

A good upgrade is to leave the points there, wire in an igniter from a wreck. The points will drive the igniter which in turn will drive the coil.

Steve

[Lloyd]

Heh, make that 0.3mm then

[85AW20v]

You should also change the condensor as if it's stuffed it'll make a huge difference to the way the car runs. When starting it from cold, use full choke and down to half once its running. Pumping the throttle won't do any good as they don't have any sort of jets like Weber/Dellorto carbs do. Once you've got the timing right, if it starts to play up when starting, it'll be the points gap closing up.

Unscrew the black cap on the top of the carb and make sure there's oil in it - something light like three in one. It acts as a damper to help control the piston movement in the vacuum chamber - which is the bell shaped bit on top of the carb.

Have fun!!

[JasonZE]

does pay to do points and condenser at the same time set ponts to 18 thou and the worst thing with those was shaft/bush wear so if you can wiggle the top of the shaft where the rotor goes on it needs rebuilding as the points gap keeps changing as the shaft slops around.

[rollaholic]

i just want to know WHY!

[mjrstar]

i have done this conversion on my own mini i used the dizzy and ignition module from an en1 civic. you'l' find info on how to on the web by doing a google on something like ' wolsley distributor electronic' or something like that. if you are mechanically minded this conversion can be done in the garage at home pretty easily with basic tools. if you are a bit of a novice i wouldn't reccomend it.
if you use 2nd hand parts like i did it will cost around $50-$60

basically it involves cutting down the shaft and drive to suit the mini slot drive and wiring it up. plus you need an electronic ignition coil as they are a bit more powerful..

good luck.

[AE86less]

Cheers mrjstar, I'm not really a novice, I've just always owned newer cars. I'll check out that guide thing.

Rollaholic: I decided if I'm going to drive something slow and unreliable (as my cars tend to be) I might as well have something unusual and a bit cooler than my Daihatsu Mira!

[mjrstar]

it's a great upgrade helps with starting and idle, also the ignition system is not affected so bad by moisture.

oh and the 'novice' comment wasn't a dig or anything, I was just trying to make a point that you need a few tools and it's not a straight bolt in., more of a warning as i wasn't sure what skill level you were at. Along with the h.d clutch setup and the disc brake conversion i did it's probably one of the best mods to do to an a series engine...

[AE86less]

All good man, I didn't mean to sound so defensive

Did you convert to a disk brake rear? How was that done?

[mjrstar]

nah just disc brake front from a non turbo metro, there is a bit of messing around with baljoints and steering arms but it makes it pull up well..

did you manage to find the info for the dizzy conversion?

[AE86less]

Yeah I did, I never did anything with it though, I don't have the time for it.

Car is for sale atm, reserve met at $50!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Austin/auction-183041840.htm

[Bling]

lol your auction tells another story

"Is not running since I tried playing with the ignition system, should only require a bit of fiddling from someone who knows what they're doing."

$51 now, bargain!