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Electronic ignition or not?

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karmannghia60 Karmann Ghia Sucker

1,459 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#956426
Just wondering what is the verdict with electronic ignition? I had one for 2 or 3 years on my previous car with a vacuum adavnce dissy and had no issues at all. But some people don't recommend them, why? The car I have now has a 009 dissy, should I ditch the points and fit electronic ignition?
Raf

karmannghia60 Karmann Ghia Sucker

1,459 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#956429
Actually its not a 009. Difficult to read the number but I think its 9 230 051043

SuperOwen Fahrvergnugen

868 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#956430
They're great as long as they work but some seem more reliable than others. Keep a set of points and appropriate tools in the car if getting stranded at some point is a big concern.
Another option is some sort of electronic ignition module, either msd etc or even one of the jaycar DIY kits etc (do they still make those?). The points are only used as a trigger once you have an ignition magic box and last a very long time as they dont have to pass the current.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#956444
Looks like an Bosch 010, much better distributor than a 009.

Some people are just terrified of modern technology, the same ones that tell you to stay with points probably think fuel injection is crap and stay with carbs 🙄

Just go with a quality kit like Pertronix or Compu-fire, steer clear of all the cheap nasty crap like accufire, hotspark, empi etc, they are the ones that fail regularly and give electronic ignition a bad name.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#956447
karmannghia60 wrote:Just wondering what is the verdict with electronic ignition? I had one for 2 or 3 years on my previous car with a vacuum adavnce dissy and had no issues at all. But some people don't recommend them, why? The car I have now has a 009 dissy, should I ditch the points and fit electronic ignition?
Raf
Hi Raf
The kettering system using points is very very old....
and was OK when the cost of getting them fitted and adjusted etc was minimal... but they start wearing out, and getting out of adjustment as soon as You start the engine..... also points are not as good quality as back in the 50s- 60s - 70s..
so, replacing the points with the electronic kit is a good investment... What You need to be aware of is the Coil resistance requirements..
Many [like PERTRONIX] need a high resistance coil [3 ohms or more] , and the common coils are usually about 1.5 ohms these days...
but when used with the correct coil... they should be trouble free for a long time..

PLAZMEX is advertised in the latest VWA magazine for $45
and I know many people are using those without any problems.. so, maybe they can tolerate the lower resistance
Coil..?? but cheap enough to carry as a spare in the car...

The HIGH ENERGY electronic ignition system mentioned was sold for years by Dick Smith and Jaycar etc.. They give out a whopping spark, even when using points.. the points last until the rubbing block wears out.. I had a kit on My beetle for a few years, until the crappy points [which I kept adjusted] wore down and the plastic rubbing block twisted and shorted the kit out...
[original points had bakelite rubbing block.. not plastic]
lasted a long time and wasn't affected by heat..
the engine used to start first kick, every time..

these are great if You can find a kit.. DSE no longer has kits like this..

A Points replacement kit IS recommended by Me...
You need to get one that fits Your distributor...
Maybe Plazmex ones fit everything??? VW..??

looks like Your distributor is mechanical ONLY..

a SVDA would be better..
Single vacuum dual advance Distributor....

cheers

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

karmannghia60 Karmann Ghia Sucker

1,459 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#956457
Thanks Gents, much appreciated