Distributor Advance - Electronic Ignition - QED 420 - 41189E

[mark030358]

HI all,
Got a few questions all relating to the dizzy.

1) So with a QED 420, running 99 RON, what ignition curve/settings are optimal. My dizzy is a 23D4 41189E with 10 degree bob weights fitted, which I am assuming give 20 degrees of crankshaft advance. So with a static setting of 10 degrees that would give me 30 degrees overall. Does this seem right? I'm sending the dizzy off for an overhaul to the "Distributor Doctor" and I'm guessing he can time it to whatever I like.

2) I have an Aldon Ignitor, been on the cars forever, but just noticed that with a new cap there is no clearance between the rotor arm and the cap and has indeed started to rub and there is no carbon brush left at all. If I measure ftom the top of the cap to the base of the holder that holds the carbon brush I get 34.2 mm. Can anyone check for similar? I have two caps and both measure the same.

3) Can anyone recommend another type of reliable "in dizzy" electronic ignition that is reliable in case the new dizzy caps are different?

thanks
Mark

[elans3]

Hi Mark, I can only speak on behalf of an Aldon Ignitor, . When I originally owned my car in 2002, I bought one for it. I sold the car in late 2003 and wished I never had. I managed to buy it back in August 2020, and it has exactly the same unit. So it's now lasted 20 years with only a replacement magnetic sleeve in all that time. In fact, the only reason I bought a replacement sleeve was that the original sleeve's glue failed, (the glue that holds the 4 x magnets in the sleeve). I re-fixed them with superglue and the original sleeve is now back in, the new one being kept as a spare. Shortly after I got the car back, it started to run rough, and two of the magnets had dropped out of their "slots" inside the sleeve, and attached themselves to the distributor shaft.
Everything else is original 20 years old.
Steve

[ericbushby]

Hi Mark,
I can recommend the electronic conversion from Ignition Components Ltd. £30. 00, made by Ultraspark.
I fitted one in 2011 and have had nothing to do to it since.
It was recommended by our local Lotus specialist. Just give them your car type and distributor number and they will make sure you buy the right one.
It fits with one screw and two wires out to the coil.
The only thing I did extra was grind off the `pip` on the base plate to ensure that the unit laid flat for contact cooling.
two other Elans were fitted at the same time and have also been perfect.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[mbell]

1) So with a QED 420, running 99 RON, what ignition curve/settings are optimal.

This is very difficult question to answer as there are lots of variables. Including engine specifics, fuels, carb settings etc etc.

I have found running on US E10 fuels (I assume with reasonable ethanol) my engine responds well to more advance. Ethanol changes the burn characteristics of the fuel to be slower, so more advance allows more combustion time for the fuel.

Experimenting with my 123 Dizzy, my car with US fuels I found 15 degs of static give highest idle. Then 19degs advance from there but that is more of just a safe number that result of any testing or investigation. I do have the advance rise quickly, so it is at 31 degrees total advance by 2,000rpm and only rises slightly from there.

Given the fixed nature of your dizzy config you probably have to be a bit more conservative with your configuration.

Have you considered a 123 Dizzy? By time you have rebuilt yours and fitted electronic ignition you might be good way to the cost of 123 unit....

[miked]

Sorry Mark,

But for 300 quid for a dizzy I would fit a nodiz and Ford coil pack. Ok, need a trigger wheel etc and tps and temp sender.

I'll get my coat.

[mbell]

But for 300 quid for a dizzy I would fit a nodiz and Ford coil pack.

That a fair point, I am not sure on the cost of that but it certainly more involved than fitting a 123 and down to personal preference which is right.

I think my main point was a dizzy rebuild must be at least 100 quid, then the electronic ignition module, rotor arms, cap etc and your in for a decent chunk of cost of other possible solutions. So worth just taking a step back and considering, cost v benefit of them. Especially with modern fuels and engine upgrades meaning the ability to experiment with advance could result is much better running than fixed setup.

[mark030358]

Sorry Mark,

But for 300 quid for a dizzy I would fit a nodiz and Ford coil pack. Ok, need a trigger wheel etc and tps and temp sender.

I'll get my coat.

Yep and motor bike

[mark030358]

Thanks chaps for the advice. I have ordered one of the electronic ignition kits too. £40 delivered...

cheers
Mark