DanC Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 Hi, I’m new to this and my knowledge of TRs is weak at best, I’ve now got a 73 PI (survivor). The points/ends have been replaced but it’s been suggested I replace with electric ignition for more reliability in future. Would this impact the originality of the car, or is this pretty standard practice? Thanks in advance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) Hi Dan, welcome to the forum. The little electronic 'points' do help with reliability, especially if you do plenty of miles. They never need adjustment. If you popped your survivor into a show then you would be marked down for the modern Tech. However it is so easy to replace the 'Tech' with standard points even when parked at a show. You will see plenty of modules on EBay for about £30 (+ another £30 for a spare) Cheap module or you could go posh and get a lumenition Magtronic module for £100+ (+ £100+ for a spare) Module Points are apprx £5. Roger Edited July 22, 2020 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 I have fitted many of these to MG's and have one in my TR5, https://simonbbc.com/Powerspark-Electronic-Ignition-Kit-for-Lucas-22D6--25D6-Distributor-K1--R4 John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 Dan - note that the modules in Roger's links above are for different distributors (Delco or Lucas respectively) so you need to get the right one if you go that way (as many owners on here have). These electronic modules do help with reliability right up to the time they fail (ask me how I know). Beware that some seem to be picky about the coil and HT leads they are used with too - read the maker's recommendations carefully. Points do need adjustment from time to time but are very cheap to replace after thousands of miles use, and work just as well provided you get the proper ones (plus condenser and rotor arm) from the Distributor Doctor. It takes all of 20 minutes a couple of times a year to keep them in good order. Again, many users on here have stuck with them or even returned to them after trying the electronics route. "You pays your money..........." as they say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 1 hour ago, DanC said: Hi, I’m new to this and my knowledge of TRs is weak at best, I’ve now got a 73 PI (survivor). The points/ends have been replaced but it’s been suggested I replace with electric ignition for more reliability in future. Would this impact the originality of the car, or is this pretty standard practice? Thanks in advance Hi It may surprise you but a good set of points are far more reliable than electronic units cheap or expensive Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, ntc said: Hi It may surprise you but a good set of points are far more reliable than electronic units cheap or expensive By good points do you mean the 32 ozs Cooper S points ? Original Lucas, not green box. this sort of thing. http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/GCS3001.aspx Peter W Edited July 22, 2020 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 2 minutes ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: By good points do you mean the 32 ozs Cooper S points ? Original Lucas, not green box. this sort of thing. http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/GCS3001.aspx Peter W The ones from the Dizzy Doc are good quality. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DanC Posted July 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 Thanks everyone for the comments!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SpitFireSIX Posted July 22, 2020 Report Share Posted July 22, 2020 1 hour ago, ntc said: Hi It may surprise you but a good set of points are far more reliable than electronic units cheap or expensive You must have bought some kak solid-state units to make a statement like that. Or you have no electronic knowledge? Yes, it would surprise me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 13 hours ago, SpitFireSIX said: You must have bought some kak solid-state units to make a statement like that. Or you have no electronic knowledge? Yes, it would surprise me. I have known quite a few instances of electronics going down including the very expensive 123 distributors. Point being then your stuck on the side of the road, points can be adjusted and you`ll get home. Also lots of people fit electronic gizmos in the mistaken belief that it will fix a worn out distributor, it doesnt Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigel Triumph Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 Over the years, I've had two instances of electronic ignition failing. They were from reputable, well known makers and both relied on optical triggers. Both were fitted to cars known for high engine bay temperatures, one on a Stag and the other on my GT6. It's tempting to assume that high temperature caused these failures. Since then I've fitted Hall effect magnetic ignition, including on the GT6, and these have been reliable over many years and tens of thousands of miles. For my money, Hall effect have the expected benefits of not needing to adjust points gap or timing and are reliable. Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) Ah but then Nigel, I and others have had well-known brands of hall-effect modules fail too. Nothing is 100% reliable. In over 50 years of driving I have had one set of points fail (deformed plastic cam) and one Hall module which just died after a couple of weeks use. Not much of a sample I agree but it doesn't make me feel that electronics are any better for reliability. The point about not having to maintain them is a fair one - but what about the rest of the distributor? You still have to keep that clean and lubricated (or perhaps people with electronic units tend to forget that bit?). Edited July 23, 2020 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 Neither electronic ignition nor points and condenser ignition can claim to be 100% reliable. On balance electronic modules are more reliable than points & condenser. Points are designed in the knowledge that the will wear and burn. When points & condenser fail sometimes they can be readjusted to get you home, electronic modules when they fail they can’t be fixed at the roadside. The financial equation is do you get enough life out of an electronic module to work out cheaper than the sets of points (and fitting time) you will get through in that time. The next question is what do you carry in event of failure? Spare points and condenser or a spare electronic module. Some of the cheaper electronic modules are so cheap that it is a realistic option to carry a spare instead of points. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TRTOM2498PI Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 This question has been asked a thousand times, and there are various views on it. My take as follows: If you're not doing huge mileage each year, then a good quality standard rebuilt distributor and contact breaker points & condenser (Distributor Doctor), and more than adequate for your car. If you're wanting less maintenance and wanting to extract evert last drop of power and want to retain a dizzy (as opposed to a coil pack), then a 123-tune dizzy are a fine piece of kit. I had this set-up for years, for thousands of miles both UK and Europe, and never had an issue, and never carried the original dizzy in case of an issue. Good luck. Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 We are spoilt for choice Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mk2 Chopper Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 Maintenance is part of my love of classics, it's points for me Gareth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 Ive done hundreds of thousands of miles on points in various cars over the years with no real problems other than the occasional duff condenser and as to maintenance it only takes a few minutes to check or even change them while your waiting for the oil to drain during oil changes You wont get any more power out of an engine with electronics over points on a properly built distributor unless your in the 6K and over rev range. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted July 23, 2020 Report Share Posted July 23, 2020 4 minutes ago, stuart said: Ive done hundreds of thousands of miles on points in various cars over the years with no real problems other than the occasional duff condenser and as to maintenance it only takes a few minutes to check or even change them while your waiting for the oil to drain during oil changes You wont get any more power out of an engine with electronics over points on a properly built distributor unless your in the 6K and over rev range. Stuart. Can't agree more Stuart, now Martin can supply quality points & rotor arms i go for conventional set up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yarm 783 Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 I went Pertronix Ignitor and Flamethrower coil, maintenance free, fit and forget almost. I never thought this question would throw up so much debate...it’s funny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnC Posted July 27, 2020 Report Share Posted July 27, 2020 On 7/25/2020 at 8:33 PM, Sill Gap Problem said: I went Pertronix Ignitor and Flamethrower coil, maintenance free, fit and forget almost. I never thought this question would throw up so much debate...it’s funny. Quite. I just had my distributor reconditioned by Martin and asked if I should go back to points from electronic. After asking which electronic type I had (Pertronix) he said I should stay with that. Good enough for me. BTW the Pertronix has been on the car for 25k miles, and probably ten years, with no problem or adjustment. YMMV, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
astontr6 Posted July 27, 2020 Report Share Posted July 27, 2020 1 minute ago, JohnC said: Quite. I just had my distributor reconditioned by Martin and asked if I should go back to points from electronic. After asking which electronic type I had (Pertronix) he said I should stay with that. Good enough for me. BTW the Pertronix has been on the car for 25k miles, and probably ten years, with no problem or adjustment. YMMV, John But Pertronix do fail mine lasted only 6 years before it went fut? The flamethrower coil did not last much longer before that went fut? I took my Lumenition off after 30 years as I thought that I was on borrowed time and it was replaced by the Pertronix? A bad decision! Bruce. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 27, 2020 Report Share Posted July 27, 2020 (edited) 3 minutes ago, astontr6 said: But Pertronix do fail mine lasted only 6 years before it went fut? Mine only lasted three weeks. Returned it for a refund and re-fitted the points. Edited July 27, 2020 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Forey Posted July 27, 2020 Report Share Posted July 27, 2020 I fitted a Sparkrite 2000 electronic ignition to my TR6 in 1982/3 and it is still working. It uses the existing points as the trigger but with only a small current so the points last for years and years. Great value for money. I have had a Pertronix hall effect sensor on my TR3 for the last 7 years, still working. Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuartG Posted July 27, 2020 Report Share Posted July 27, 2020 I also have a Sparkrite 2000 they still sell them ........I like that I keep the points and wont get stuck on the M40 after non points type "reliable modern electronic ignition" system died on me ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted July 27, 2020 Report Share Posted July 27, 2020 10 hours ago, JohnC said: Quite. I just had my distributor reconditioned by Martin and asked if I should go back to points from electronic. After asking which electronic type I had (Pertronix) he said I should stay with that. Good enough for me. BTW the Pertronix has been on the car for 25k miles, and probably ten years, with no problem or adjustment. YMMV, John +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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