Re: Q: Ignitor

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm.jf.intel.com>]

Kinda confused here about your timing...  You must adjust the timing.  You're 
getting a better -- and generally more efficient -- spark and burn thus getting 
a little more energy from your fuel mixture.  So adjust the timing because the 
spark source (coil) is now providing more power.  The electronic points also 
require that you generally adjust the timing as well right after you install 
them.  I have the Ignitor in my Squareback and Compufire in my Porsche and both 
required a minor timing adjustment after installation.

Now that you have a better spark you may want to open your spark plug gap.  Just
open it .005" and drive around.  Keep doing this until you notice that 
performance has dropped (monitoring mileage is a fair indicator) then regap the 
plugs back .005".  You will then be at your optimal spark plug gap and get 
improved mileage and performance.

Remember to keep the same brand and make of spark plugs if you replace them if 
you changed their gap.  Platinum and Splitfire plugs will allow for larger gaps 
than normal plugs.  It is recommended that you change to standard plugs, like 
Champion or NGK for example, when upgrading your ignition system (like what you 
did with your coil).  The standard plugs will last longer than the specialty 
plugs (Platinum and Splitfire).  Stay with the current plug temperature (ugh, I 
forgot the correct term, but don't change the plug's temperature range).  Again,
you may need to adjust your timing.

While you're at it you should change your spark plug wires as well to high 
performance ones with a 8mm or 8.5mm diameter.  These will allow more current to
flow to the plugs and, again, will improve performance.  Timing may need to be 
adjusted.

     Toby "whose timing has been adjusted" Erkson, air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L
     '75 Porsche 914 1.8L
     Portland, Oregon, http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8501/

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Q: Ignitor
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    10/13/97 8:48 PM
...
     I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the Ignitor so this
weekend I put one in along with the "Flame Thrower" coil they recommend
to go with it...now my eng is running much hotter then normal.  I've got
a 1641 with a .009, 2bbl Weber and header.  After I installed the
Igniter and Coil, I readjusted my carb and reset the timing.  I had been
keeping it at 27.5 btdc @ 1000 RPM as I had read here in a former string
about .009s and it ran great...quiet, smooth and very cool...most times
after any trip, even long ones, I could hold my hand on the engine...now
I can bearly touch it.  It runs like the timing is a bit retarded...it's
running too smoothly and not quite the power it had, but I don't want to
go to far because the hotter spark should have made it run smoother.
I've got it set at 27.5 @ 1000 RPM right now...has anyone had any
experience with the Igniter and if so are there any tricks to dialing it
in??...