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Electronic ignition question

N

Nigelb

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3
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Shrewsbury
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Quick question... what distributor is this and what are the best options for electronic ignition
 
Hi

It is a Femsa distributor. I cannot advise you on electronic ignition options. However, do a search on this website, there are members who have had positive experiences with fitting electronic ignition.
 
Personally I like Boyer Bransden. They're one of the pioneers of electronic ignition and have had a great reputation for reliability since the 1970s.
I've used their points-assisted system on my own and customers cars (& I sell it on my website).
 
The trouble I've had with original distributors is the advance springs no longer give the right advance curve. I've also used 123 ignition which replaces the whole distributor.
 
Hi All
Malcolm, Was the 123 Distributor easy to fit, how do you lock No 1 TDC on the 1108 engine? Is there a timing pin like on later more modern cars. Obviously the Cleon Engine has chain driven timing.
Thanks.
Ian ( considering fitting the 123)
 
From what I have seen, you need to mark cyl #1 on the distributor and then turn the engine until the rotor pints at your mark. The timing lines should then be aligned on the flywheel. I have spoken to 123 and just placed my order.
 
I've installed it a few months ago on the billancourt engine. Cleon is similar system. It was a 30 minute job. In 15 it was running good. After an other 15 minutes finding and using my timinglight it was perfect! It is dead simple to mount if you already understand the basics of timing your distributor. It has a LED with tells you enough to start the engine.
 
Crelesy said:
I've installed it a few months ago on the billancourt engine. Cleon is similar system. It was a 30 minute job. In 15 it was running good. After an other 15 minutes finding and using my timinglight it was perfect! It is dead simple to mount if you already understand the basics of timing your distributor. It has a LED with tells you enough to start the engine.
Click to expand...
I installed my 123 Ignition distributer today, and very impressed with the simple design and set-up. And the built in LED makes it easy to set the static timing. It is a quality part made in the Netherlands. The vacuum advance is only an extra option, so I just blocked off the vacuum connection at the carburettor. My R4 now starts first time !
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Last edited:
Cyprusnoddycar said:
I installed my 123 Ignition distributer today, and very impressed with the simple design and set-up. And the built in LED makes it easy to set the static timing. It is a quality part made in the Netherlands. The vacuum advance is only an extra option, so I just blocked off the vacuum connection at the carburettor. My R4 now starts first time !
View attachment 33114
Click to expand...
A 123 also needs to know how much vacuum there is in order to properly advance the ignition timing.
Normally the initial timing and mixture is set with the disconnected and closed capped vacuum hose on idle rpm (idle load).
On higher refs (partial and high load) you need the vacuum to advance the timing, the same as the original distributor will do with both centrifuginal and vacuum advance.
The vacuum advance was designed to ensure good ignition with a lean gas mixture. If you suddenly release the pedal at full throttle at high speeds, you will get the highest vacuum. Then very little gasoline comes in compared to the air, the mixture therefore becomes poor, the ignition must then start earlier because a leaner mixture burns worse. In other words, the ignition time must be earlier.
Perhaps unnecessarily: if the mixture does not burn properly in the engine, you will get explosions in the exhaust.
The vacuum advance has a function, otherwise it would be redundant and not even invented and installed.

Even the € 45 Accuspark kit has a vacuum advance lever as seen in the attached picture by courtesy of @petak
1716022874207.png
 
JdeW said:
A 123 also needs to know how much vacuum there is in order to properly advance the ignition timing.
Normally the initial timing and mixture is set with the disconnected and closed capped vacuum hose on idle rpm (idle load).
On higher refs (partial and high load) you need the vacuum to advance the timing, the same as the original distributor will do with both centrifuginal and vacuum advance.
The vacuum advance was designed to ensure good ignition with a lean gas mixture. If you suddenly release the pedal at full throttle at high speeds, you will get the highest vacuum. Then very little gasoline comes in compared to the air, the mixture therefore becomes poor, the ignition must then start earlier because a leaner mixture burns worse. In other words, the ignition time must be earlier.
Perhaps unnecessarily: if the mixture does not burn properly in the engine, you will get explosions in the exhaust.
The vacuum advance has a function, otherwise it would be redundant and not even invented and installed.

Even the € 45 Accuspark kit has a vacuum advance lever as seen in the attached picture by courtesy of @petak
View attachment 33117
Click to expand...
Okay Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure if the vacuum advance was required with this new 123 distributor, so will make a connection to the carb.
 
On the other hand, an idea for another project is to change the engine and add a Bendix monopoint injection an ignition so no vacuum is needed :whistle:
1716105313451.png
 
JdeW said:
On the other hand, an idea for another project is to change the engine and add a Bendix monopoint injection an ignition so no vacuum is needed :whistle:
View attachment 33131
Click to expand...
Or maybe a 90kw EV conversion in the future ? I think the R4 is a suitable car for this conversion if need be, with all these stupid EU directives coming in.
 
Then only H2 fuel cell technology, the battery powered technology is too heavy and the most polluting form there is.
And the EU is stupid afterall and hopefully nexit is next.
 
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