Changing to electronic ignition?

Hi Chaps! We've been having problems with Lily after getting her out from her winter sleep.... sluggish and reluctant to start then refusing to start at all. Anyway hubby & my dad investigated and leads had melted from the coil / condenser / points , dad stripped it and reinsulated the wires and hubby fitted it back in .
She started but still pretty sluggish when we took her out. We've also been struggling to find the right points to fit back in to the distributor so we were thinking about swapping over to electronic ignition....

Is it any good? and which bits need changing out?

Thanks x

 

If your points and condenser are in good condition and adjusted for gap and timed properly then you would not really see any change with electronic ignition.
However a few thousand miles down the road and the electronic ignition timing will still be spot on and the points will need adjusting.

Get the wiring wrong like it sound you have managed with burnt wiring ... where the ignition shorts through the points and the electronic ignition will die straight away. Points may survive.
Points are available online from many places .

To go electronic means taking off the points and condensor. Both Accuspark and Pertronix sell points replacements. I blew up a Pertronix and replaced with Accuspark. Both make the engine run well.

Sluggishness could also be many other things like sticking vacuum advance in the distrubutor, dirt in the fuel system or you just forgot how gentle your bus is to drive....

 

With points such poor quality these days for less than £30 an AccuSpark SVDA is remarkably good value. I replaced the rotor arm and cap and fitted the correct ‘o’ ring to mine and it works perfectly.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVDA-Accu...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a1804d2cf

 

Dead easy to do.
Points out, unit in, change rotor arm, time it up, done.

 

I;ve got petronix in my bus , cost about 70 quid just for the unit that replaces the points and also just fitted an accuspark full new electronic dizzy in my bug , cost 59 quid. Both seem very good. Easy to fit and set up then you don't have to worry about it ever again.

 

First, you need to find out why the wiring melted. This is not normal. All all the coil connections correct?

 

My earlier post should have read - With points such poor quality these days for less than £55 an AccuSpark SVDA is remarkably good value. I replaced the rotor arm and cap and fitted the correct ‘o’ ring to mine and it works perfectly.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Camper...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item484315196d

 

Pertronix,I fitted, Bob on, go for it,....when I set the timing up after the timing Mark was more settled and steady than when I had points. recommended upgrade.

 

I just swapped over bought the whole lot distributer complete elecy ignition inside£54 just oiled shaft and put it in the hole (I never meant it to sound like this)

 

ooer Mrs

 

I've started installing these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120763002792?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

No issues so far

 

cheers guys, will have a proper look into it, just realising how little I actually know about an engine!!!

 

Aaah. The well-known "Bosch Genuine German Ignition Company" of Shanghai, I believe.

 

Tell us how the ignition's connected. Electronic stuff aside, you shouldn't have wires melting.

 

No different to the other ones that you can purchase!! Just has a better price tag IMO

 

Technically if the points or condensor failed, then the LT circuit can melt out... I've seen it before

 

I'll have to take a look at the weekend and try and get a photo for you (van kept elsewhere)

 

Can't really see how. If the condenser or something in the points short, it's no different to the breakers being closed!

 

Was referring to their rather cheeky use of the word "Bosch", implying the kit's German

 

try n find anything bosch made in germany now ,its a joke