Just dropped in for a visit after a long while away. I'm so glad my article is going to good use! I had fun doing it.
So I thought I'd add a few things. . .
- My goal was really just to replace an item that required regular service (points) with a contactless mechanism that does not (magnetic pickup).
- I find that the points really bounce around and give an erratic idle unless everything is just perfect and you can find a quality set of points with the right spring pressure and contact faces that are actually square.
- I wanted easier starting and got it. By a long shot.
- I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I didn't have to.
- The whole job took an evening in the shop with a few beers while my buddy worked on his '50 BSA land speed record bike. Fun.
- I now run .050 point gaps and the plugs stay a lot cleaner.
- GM style HEI modules run less than $20 at auto parts and online places everywhere. I carry an extra in my tool kit in case this one burns out. I used the stock plug so it'd take all of five minutes to change out. So far, no need to do so.
- I believe the greatest benefit (not often discussed) to electronic coil control/management is the fact that the module energizes the coil for the right duration at all rpms. Leads to a cooler coil and more stable ignition. Points, using dwell (expressed as angles of rotation), over-saturate the coil at low rpms and under-energize it at higher rpms.
- The contactless trigger mechanism takes shaft wear and play out of the equation. These lead to inconsistent timing and dwell with points.
- Everyone should own a lathe. Even if it's just a bench top model. There's no end to what you can do or make with one.
So far it's been working great and makes the truck much more enjoyable.
Jason
