Re: petronix and seals

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm2.hf.intel.com>]

Jonce,
My electronic ignition (EI) came with a spacer plate that fits under the 
pickup.  I found that in my 009 I didn't need the spacer plate -- if you 
used it I would suggest you remove it since none of the parts should be 
making contact.  The second thing I can think of is if you are using a 
rev-limiting rotor, not a plain rotor, then that could be your problem.  
Third, the spacing between the reluctor and pickup correct may need a 
little further adjusting.  Try adding 1 or 2mm to the gap.  Unlike points 
in which the gap is critical, on many EI a reluctor is used to make the 
'break' that the points do (other method that EI use is a light beam which 
works equally well but can be affected a tad more by contaminates as 
compared to a reluctor circuit).  The reluctor is just a bunch of small, 
evenly spaced magnets (which is why dust, oil and water don't affect EI 
like they would with breaker points).  Thus it's okay should the gap not be 
dead-on -- the magnetic flux lines will still be felt by the pickup.  But 
the greater the distance the weaker the lines of flux become which is why 
you should only make a *small* spacing adjustment lest you start 
experiencing misfires (which can be observed by a loss of hp and fuel 
economy).

     Toby Erkson
     air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     modified '72 VW Squareback 2.0L
     stock '75 Porsche 914 1.8L


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: petronix and seals
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    11/6/96 3:03 AM

...
as far as petronix elec. ign. goes ive been very pleased over the constant 
performance of my 56 single cab ai run it at 4k all day long and it doesnt 
skip a beat. but, the rotor does slightly touch the pick-up sensor thingy. 
ive adjusted as per instructions but still rubbs even checked play in the 
distributor shaft and only used a bosch rotor but it still rubs. and wiith 
still no problems.  but to be on the safe side i carry a new .009 dist. with 
points pre-gapped with new cap and rotor. so if failure does occur i just 
slip in the unit and off i go. with minimal headache.

...