Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition : MGB & GT Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #1
Tonytele Tony Ceglinski Nimmitabel, Australia 1967 MG MGB 1967 MG MGB	Posted: August 29, 2012 12:45AM Registered: 9 months ago Posts: 29

This is probably a quetion that has been flogged to death, but, is it relly worthwhile to chnge over to electronic ignition?

Tony in Oz.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #2
ingoldsb Terry Ingoldsby Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1971 MG MGB	Posted: August 29, 2012 12:54AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 9,752

Define "worthwhile".

The tradeoff is, in my mind, simple.

Conventional points degrade (slowly) from the day you put them in. They do not fail abruptly and can usually be coaxed back into operation if they should fail on the road.

Electronic ignitions (really just a points substitute on the MGB) operate consistently until the point of failure. When that occurs it usually happens suddenly and nothing short of replacement will get them back in action.

So, choose your poison.

Many years ago I did run a Mark 10 Capacitive Discharge ignition. It used the points to trigger (but virtually no current flowed through them so they lasted almost forever). The Mark 10B put out insane amounts of power to the plugs - my car has started at -40F (which is the same as -40C). But aside from systems like the Mark 10 series, most modern electronic modules are just electronic replacements for points.

Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #3
MGB567 Barrie Braxton Sunshine Coast, Australia 1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler"	Posted: August 29, 2012 12:55AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 5,292

You got it in one Tony - flogged to death (notwithstanding my 123) - have a look back over the past couple of weeks at 'pointless recommendation' for the last flogging.

CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67 owned since 3/77. Undergoing nut and bolt restoration. Tartan Red (now). 18GB +40 balanced with almost all new internals. Peter Burgess big valve fast road head. Piper 285. TT exhaust. ARP everywhere. 123 ign. Needham 4synchro c/r box. Stock rebuilt/replaced suspension. Superpro bushes. New brakes all round including all pipes in SS flex. Interior redone. CAMS approved roll bar and side bars. Lots more. Hybrid of o/e and show/fast road car. Not for sale - it's my toy!

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #4
Ogre1 Allan Ogilvie Melbourne Victoria, Australia 1977 MG MGB "Greenb"	Posted: August 29, 2012 01:36AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,332

If your looking for a cost/benefit for switching from points to electronic, there just isnt one on a low miles car that doesnt do great distances each year. If you run '000s of kms each year or use your car in motorsports then the equation is different.

If however, you are like most of the MGB fraternity and use them to 'tinker' and improve as a hobby then upgrading to electronic pointless systems can be a really interesting and enlightening upgrade.
I have the lumenition optronic system that came out ages ago and I also have a hot cam and other goodies in car that is still slower and does less miles than the euro box that drives me to the station each day. But I do it because it's not a car its a hobby.

As Terry says, choose your poison!

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #5
Jim K James A. Krasnansky Liberty, KY, USA 1970 MG MGB GT "Chloe" 1971 MG MGB GT "Roscoe" 1972 MG MGB "Camilla"	Posted: August 29, 2012 06:11AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 7,903

RICK! Bring the popcorn... winking smiley

FWIW - I ran points in my '71 GT for a while (I lived in a small town Alaska). The GT was my daily driver. One day I got a wild hair and decided to try Pertronix. Worked fine for a long time, until the day it wouldn't start (January, 0730 - I worked nights). When I bought the Pertronix, I sprung for 2, just in case. It didn't take long to figure out what broke, and even less time to replace, but if I DIDN"T have a spare, I'd have been sunk.

So, if you depend on your car and choose Pertronix, buy a pair, or save the points and keep then in the boot.

Jim K is a grease-stained wretch

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #6
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: August 29, 2012 06:17AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,711

I keep mentioning this but no one takes the slightest notice; you can get a module from Accuspark in the UK for 40 bucks delivered to your door. Mine is working great so far.(150 miles!)Keep the old points in the ash tray just in case.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #7
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: August 29, 2012 06:35AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,711

Heck... you can get an entire Accuspark distributor for under a hundred bucks delivered to your door. (from Watford Classics in the UK) How much is the Pertronics module again...?
I think I'll order the distributor and keep the module/distributor I have as a spare...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2012 08:19AM by pinkyponk.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #8
Wray Wray Lemke ., South Carolina, USA 1956 MG MGA 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1973 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: August 29, 2012 06:54AM Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 10,984

There is a temptation to regard pointless as superior to points in cars where the distributor is worn and sloppy. In those cases, the electronic module is installed and overcomes the slop and the owner is quite happy with the improved performance. On the other hand, you send your points distributor off to Jeff, he makes it new, you install it, same improvement in performance. I suspect it makes little difference if you install a new Pertronics/123 distributor or a new points distributor from Jeff. Just getting rid of the old worn out distributor makes a huge improvement.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #9
pinkyponk Adrian Page Nova Scotia Canada, Canada 1971 MG MGB GT 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Posted: August 29, 2012 07:15AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,711

In reply to # 2156696 by Wray There is a temptation to regard pointless as superior to points in cars where the distributor is worn and sloppy. In those cases, the electronic module is installed and overcomes the slop and the owner is quite happy with the improved performance. On the other hand, you send your points distributor off to Jeff, he makes it new, you install it, same improvement in performance. I suspect it makes little difference if you install a new Pertronics/123 distributor or a new points distributor from Jeff. Just getting rid of the old worn out distributor makes a huge improvement.

But can Jeff make it run like new for 40 bucks... shipping(both ways) included?

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #10
NewBRG72B Rodney McLain Greenville SC, USA 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class "The SLK" 2004 Volvo V70 "The Wagon" 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 "The Diesel"	Posted: August 29, 2012 07:29AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 785

This has been flogged to death. People that have cars that run well and reliably on points are correct. Those who have cars with electronic systems that run well and reliably are correct. Either system can be made to run well and reliably. Anyone that disagrees with this conclusion, well... moon

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #11
geezer charles durning Magee, MS, USA 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Chick Magnette"	Posted: August 29, 2012 07:40AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 400

I put Pertronics in everything. Never had one let me down, yet. In my Chick Magnette I replaced the worn out Lucas dist with a Pertronix dist, $120.00, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I would do it again. I did have a performance problem with the engine and many condemned the Pertronics dist as a POS. As it turned out the problem was with the carbs. The naysayers just have sour grapes.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #12
914efi Art McKinley Westport, MA, USA 1974 MG MGB 1975 Porsche 911 "Carrera"	Posted: August 29, 2012 08:07AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 251

I think one of the benefits is that it allows 12V to be run to the coil as opposed to 6V that normally go through the points via a resistor or resistor wire. This is to prolong point life.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #13
rlich8 Royal Lichter Chicago, USA 1971 Jaguar E-Type Convertible 1976 Triumph TR6	Posted: August 29, 2012 08:37AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,750

In reply to # 2156708 by pinkyponk

In reply to # 2156696 by Wray There is a temptation to regard pointless as superior to points in cars where the distributor is worn and sloppy. In those cases, the electronic module is installed and overcomes the slop and the owner is quite happy with the improved performance. On the other hand, you send your points distributor off to Jeff, he makes it new, you install it, same improvement in performance. I suspect it makes little difference if you install a new Pertronics/123 distributor or a new points distributor from Jeff. Just getting rid of the old worn out distributor makes a huge improvement.

But can Jeff make it run like new for 40 bucks... shipping(both ways) included?

Jeff's doctoring is a little more than $40, it could be anywhere from $110-200, which is still a bargain for what you get.

Stick with points. A good premium set will last most MG and Triumph drivers a few years.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #14
davester Dave Diamond Berkeley, California, USA 1971 MG MGB GT	Posted: August 29, 2012 09:49AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,311

In reply to # 2156791 by rlich8

In reply to # 2156708 by pinkyponk

In reply to # 2156696 by Wray There is a temptation to regard pointless as superior to points in cars where the distributor is worn and sloppy. In those cases, the electronic module is installed and overcomes the slop and the owner is quite happy with the improved performance. On the other hand, you send your points distributor off to Jeff, he makes it new, you install it, same improvement in performance. I suspect it makes little difference if you install a new Pertronics/123 distributor or a new points distributor from Jeff. Just getting rid of the old worn out distributor makes a huge improvement.

But can Jeff make it run like new for 40 bucks... shipping(both ways) included?

Jeff's doctoring is a little more than $40, it could be anywhere from $110-200, which is still a bargain for what you get.

Stick with points. A good premium set will last most MG and Triumph drivers a few years.

Ditto. That $40 won't get you a distributor that works like new. The advance springs will still be worn out.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #15
dickmoritz Dick Moritz Philly 'burbs, PA, USA	Posted: August 29, 2012 10:01AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 7,227

Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition?

NO!

And I mean that in the nicest way... grinning smiley

Dick

Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #16
58twincam Charlie K Allentown, USA 1958 MG MGA Twin-Cam 1974 MG MGB GT 1987 Porsche 928 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4	Posted: August 29, 2012 10:10AM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 56

We all love to hate the electronics in our daily drivers, right? Soo why introduce the little black box to the cars we understand and love?

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #17
Mgnostic Matt Kirk Vernon, North Texas, USA 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye 1976 MG MGB 1979 MG MGB "Killer Bee"	Posted: August 29, 2012 10:28AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 76

I put one of the Advance Distributors in my B. Mine has the Crane ignition already installed. It is as close to "plug and play as it gets. I've had a Crane/Allison ignition in my Bugeye for 25 years without so much as a hiccup. My B is a daily driver that I use for the commute to work. I haven't had a chance to drive this particular car in very cold weather but my past experience is that the electronic ignition will get you started where a set of points that are a little worn might be reluctant to get going. I drive my B year around (no salt due to dry north Texas winters) so I like the easier cold starts.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #18
Wray Wray Lemke ., South Carolina, USA 1956 MG MGA 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1973 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: August 29, 2012 10:31AM Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 10,984

In reply to # 2156708 by pinkyponk

In reply to # 2156696 by Wray There is a temptation to regard pointless as superior to points in cars where the distributor is worn and sloppy. In those cases, the electronic module is installed and overcomes the slop and the owner is quite happy with the improved performance. On the other hand, you send your points distributor off to Jeff, he makes it new, you install it, same improvement in performance. I suspect it makes little difference if you install a new Pertronics/123 distributor or a new points distributor from Jeff. Just getting rid of the old worn out distributor makes a huge improvement.

But can Jeff make it run like new for 40 bucks... shipping(both ways) included?

Dave summed it up, it is still a worn out distributor. Kind of like all the recent flurry of adding relays to everything.

$40 is impressive, shipping from the UK included. Can't leave a lot of money for the device itself. Take away shipping, the UK vendor's margin, then the cost from the manufacturer has to be pretty low.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #19
rlich8 Royal Lichter Chicago, USA 1971 Jaguar E-Type Convertible 1976 Triumph TR6	Posted: August 29, 2012 10:35AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,750

The advance curves are probably wrong in those cheap sub $100 distributors anyways. And I can almost guarantee they're not British made.

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Re: Is it really worth changing over to electronic ignition #20
2150john John L Tennessee, USA 1972 MG MGB	Posted: August 29, 2012 11:24AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 52

Now that I am an old guy, my clumsy fingers and poor eyesight prefer the electronic ignition. I used points for a lot of years, but I don't enjoy that job as much as I used to. Other than that, I agree with everyone.

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