Non-standard ignition / wiring / ignition keys
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 7:06 pm
Folks -
I recently purchased a '67 Elan S3 DHC. I'm at least the fourth owner (currently working on tracking down its history) and needless to say, there have been various "modifications" done to it over the years. My initial question(s) are regarding the wiring, ignition system, etc. First this car has been fitted with two ignition switches. One on the dashboard (I believe to be original) and one underneath the dash on the driver side on the steering column. See pics. Someone suggested that this might be a steering lock like on the S4, but I can turn the steering wheel with or without the key in the switch underneath the dash. Anyone seen something like this before? Thoughts on what the PO was trying to do? Maybe dashboard switch went bad and new switch was added?
Next question: There are a few pictures of the engine bay and ignition components. It appears an aftermarket unit was installed, see "piranha.jpg." It also looks like the ignition coil was moved/added to the air filter area (air filter box cover is missing). I believe that I read that some folks have converted from points to a normal distributor setup. Is that what was done here? Can someone explain the mods that were made and why?
Thanks for any/all thoughts, comments.
Regards,
Tom
I recently purchased a '67 Elan S3 DHC. I'm at least the fourth owner (currently working on tracking down its history) and needless to say, there have been various "modifications" done to it over the years. My initial question(s) are regarding the wiring, ignition system, etc. First this car has been fitted with two ignition switches. One on the dashboard (I believe to be original) and one underneath the dash on the driver side on the steering column. See pics. Someone suggested that this might be a steering lock like on the S4, but I can turn the steering wheel with or without the key in the switch underneath the dash. Anyone seen something like this before? Thoughts on what the PO was trying to do? Maybe dashboard switch went bad and new switch was added?
Next question: There are a few pictures of the engine bay and ignition components. It appears an aftermarket unit was installed, see "piranha.jpg." It also looks like the ignition coil was moved/added to the air filter area (air filter box cover is missing). I believe that I read that some folks have converted from points to a normal distributor setup. Is that what was done here? Can someone explain the mods that were made and why?
Thanks for any/all thoughts, comments.
Regards,
Tom