Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Ford 1600 Crossflow - Electronic Ignition

I'm considering putting electronic ignition on my Kent engined 4/4. I've found there is quite a variety of electronic distributors which are direct replacements for the Lucas original, ranging in price from about £100 for an Accuspark up to £530 for a 123.

Has anyone done this and have a recommendation? Any pointers are appreciated, even if it's "don't do it", which is what my garage mechanic said.

Ian, I've put these basic kits in my other classics

AccuSpark, replaces the troublesome points and condenser within your existing dizzy, cheap as chips (compared to some Carlos Fandango offerings) have worked well for me
https://www.accuspark.co.uk/search.html

I wouldn't touch accuspark with a barge pole. Had too many fail on various vehicles.

Check out H&H Ignitions. Arwyn put me on to them and now run in both Mog and MG. Real quality kit, not as cheap as accuspark, but not as expensive as the 123. Well respected in the rally scene.

I have a 123 distributor in our 1970 Giulia. It runs reliably and ok. To be honest I am looking for an original distributor. In my memory (it was last knocked out) the engine ran better and somehow more exciting with the original distributor. The 123 is very conservative in terms of advance at higher revs (with the correct map). Even if it sounds far-fetched...the mechanical distributor breathes more life into the engine, like a mechanical watch compared to a quartz watch. The way the engine accelerates and gets up to speed is simply an emotionally closer connection to the machine. But that's a very subjective assessment. Perhaps new contacts or a check of the centrifugal force control or a new coil will work a small miracle.

I had a 123 distributor in my 1800 MG. Couldn’t fault it. Quite a performance increase too.

At home now, so can provide a fuller answer. H&H don't have a functioning website, but do have a facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HHignitionsolutions/

It's quite an 'old school' set up, so it's best to ring up for a quote. They will build you a set up based on your engine spec (as you'll know, Crossflows can be found in numerous stages of tune). I also went for one of their uprated Dry Cell Coil (non ballasted - I removed the ballast system).

In the MG I have a 'normal' coil but again removed the ballast system.

This is the spiel that they sent me for the MG last year, but checked back and it was the same price for the Crosfflow one I bought in 2021. When I upgraded the Crossflow, I changed from a FoMoCo dizzy to a Lucas one,

Most people who say 'stay with points' have never spent time on the side of the road, in the dark, in the pouring rain trying to change a failed condensor with screws that are impossible to deal with by anyone with normal sized fingers.

There is a reason why classic car drivers carry a set on points and condensor round with them at all times, and modern cars don't carry a spare electronic ignition set up

Abso-bloomin-lutely.

I had a 123 dizzie fitted to the '76 4/4. Never had a problem.
On the Spitfire I added an electronic amp kit that kept points but did a away with the condensor. Gave a fatter spark but with virtually no current flow through the points meant there was little contact wear.

I’ve had in excess of 50 classics and almost always fitted some form of electronic ignition including luminition, powerspark, accuspark but never 123. In 25 years the only make I’ve had problems with have been luminition. The cheap as chips, magnetic trigger devices for under £50 are now my default fitment. Eliminates spindle wear, smoother idle, consistent spark and fit and forget.

Some may suggest others but I can only relate my experiences and would highly recommend both powerspark and accuspark.