RE: IML: Electronic distributor

I’ve said this before, and I’ll probably stir of a hornet’s nest by repeating it:

Yes, electronic ignition is an improvement over the old system; the improvement is in reduced need for maintenance and perhaps slightly in performance (immeasurable unless your old system was in really bad shape).

HOWEVER!: You do lose something that I feel is very important: These cannot be fixed by the side of the road with a hairpin and some chewing gum – if it quits, its tow truck time! The older system can be made to work with all sorts of jury-rigged kludges using roadside trash items if necessary to get you home if something breaks on it. (Been there, done that!) Further, when it is getting toward the end of life, the deterioration is gradual. With the electronic system, when something goes bad, it is all over immediately – no limping along to the next freeway exit! It’s coast to the side of the road and whip out the cell phone to call the man with the hook! (I hope you’re where you have cell phone coverage, and your battery isn’t dead.)

Old Charlie Kettering was not so dumb, after all.

Dick Benjamin

From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of sosmi@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 9:23 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: Electronic distributor

Steve made the point, about the change-over. Worn housing bushings, shaft, and cam on old distributors can be problem areas. If electronic wasn't better we wouldn't have it. I'm looking to buy a buggy wip factory, any thoughts. Dave.

-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Steve B." <Imperial59@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

> >My fellow members,
> >So people say convert my 1966 Chrysler Imperial from points to having a an
> >electronic distributor. We'll it >run better with the conversion. I know
> >it will have better fire power.
> >Your opinions!!! Rich,
>
> My humble opinion... The points have worked fine for 41 years and there is
> no reason they won't continue to do so for another 41 years. Points don't
> usually just quit. They give you warning that it is time to replace them
> well in advance. On my non-Imp mopar I always kept a spare set of points in
> the glove box along with a ballast resistor just in case.
>
> With that said I did change my '59 to the Chrysler electronic ignition. The
> ; '59 had the dual point setup and I hated it. Seemed that every other time I
> took the car out of the garage one set or the other needed attention. I
> found the electronic very easy to put in and so far it has been reliable.
> The electronic made no difference at all in the way the car performs. You
> still use the same coil. Advance is still handled by the vacuum advance in
> the distributor. The only thing you really gain is steady dwell and not
> having to replace the points every I thousand miles.
>
> Steve B.
>
>
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