Fitting Electronic Ignition to a 1928 Austin Seven

Fitting Electronic Ignition to a 1928 Austin Seven

[@jackjacko8706]

I have only just seen your video. I fitted a 12 volt accuspark electronic ignition to a 53 Humber Super Snipe, in 2013. I was doing a 10,000klm car trial in Australia. Took about 2000Klm before the the extra powerful spark burnt through the Bakelite rota button and carbonised it, sending current straight to earth. So learnt then that a more modern material rota button was a necessity. Continued by putting points back in and found a Landrover Rota button amongst spare parts that fitted. Although rotation arrow pointed the wrong way. Lol. Just to add to future confusion.

[@wontee2]

I like your fingers, mechanics fingers. Spent 50 odd years with fingers like that, good video as well.

[@anthonywbelcher]

Thank you that is a real compliment as I'm no engineer and have spent my life as an accountant in an office

[@marknelson5929]

Fascinating! Well done. My old Rover is now brilliant with electronic ignition - this is a boon for old cars and their running.

[@grantbaker3336]

A very interesting video well done, I have a similar type of pickup and reluctor ring made for a Rover V8 which I intend to fit to a 1956 Nash Ambassador its not a straight forward fitment as I will have to make a new cam to fit the reluctor ring the original one being far too big, the main reason for doing this conversion is the awkward and difficult access to the distributor making points adjustment almost impossible. I think these units are a great upgrade to any car with points ignition and its great to see how someone else has adapted the distributor and the kit itself to a non standard application.

[@anthonywbelcher]

Thank you, I fitted a similar unit to my Lotus Elan as the distributor was hidden beneath the Carburettor. It ran so much better afterwards just as the Austin Seven does. Unfortunately, the Lotus Elan was another vehicle I shouldn't have sold .

[@anthonywbelcher]

Each to his own. Electronics these days rarely if ever go wrong.

[@barrybrockbank5705]

Brilliant video very professional.

[@anthonywbelcher]

Thank you for your kind comment

[@vijaywaingankar8352]

Good job sir

[@anthonywbelcher]

Thank you for your kind comment. The magnetic ring is a push fit and fits quite snuggly. I was lucky that I just took enough metal off the shaft to make it a tight fit. Your idea of an o-ring instead of a cable tie on the shaft of the distributor is a great idea. When I next remove the distributor I shall replace the cable tie with an o-ring. In fact I use two o-rings to take the play out of the carden pot on the propshaft.

[@policy322]

Excellent video, many thanks.

[@anthonywbelcher]

That's very kind of you to say I hope that my video helps you

[@anthonywbelcher]

I have now added a dry coil to the ignition system which has improved performance still further the coil is available from eBay and is known as a 6 volt Viper Coil I have also purchased off ebay performance silicone plug leads and hotter spark plugs NGK AB2 all of which have added to better performance the car now pulls now really well in top gear

[@alternativeperception6949]

Great video 👍👍👍👍✌ .

[@anthonywbelcher]

Thank you, electronic ignition makes a World of difference. Add a Viper dry resin coil which too makes a difference. too.

[@anthonywbelcher]

Thank you for the tip. Fortunately my doughnut is a snug Fit and hasn't moved at all since fitting. Are you as pleased as me with the electronic ignition?

[@jaswmclark]

I use a piece of card ( a business card or piece of cigarette package will do) to set the clearance between the magnet and the sensor coil. Fortunately I have made a toolpost grinder for my lathe. If you want to make sure the "doughnut doesn't move use a drop of locktite.

[@anthonywbelcher]

Thank you that's very nice of you to say

[@wordsmith52]

I fitted what I thought was an electronic ignition kit in 1980 to an early VW Golf. All that involved was pushing the unit onto (via spring holder things) the existing ignition coil and connecting a wire or two. Is was you have done a different or the "latest" ways of doing things?

[@anthonywbelcher]

Yes I presume mine is a more modern way of doing it it's not too difficult and I think they now have a kit for an Austin 7 that you can buy off the shelf

[@CaptainBash737]

Nice tip. Brilliant.

[@anthonywbelcher]

In some respect I agree with you but having said that with electronic ignition and a Viper resin 6 volt coil with silicon performance plug leads make the car far more usable as it starts easily and runs far better than with the old points system and in any event it can be put back to original very easily

[@grahamrankin]

When you had the main shaft in the pillar drill were you filing it when stationary and turning each sector by hand or was it spinning electrically ?

[@anthonywbelcher]

Hi Graham It was spinning electrically in the pillar drill, but be careful not to file away too much of the shaft you need a snug fit.

[@grahamrankin]

Anthony Belcher Many thanks.

[@jimbob036]

So I guess the Austin 7 doesn't have a vacuum timing advance mechanism?

[@anthonywbelcher]

That's true there is no vacuum timing mechanism on the Austin 7 the advance and retard is carried out manually by a lever on the steering wheel

[@dozergyp]

Thanks for that

[@lesreed9269]

By lerk?

[@anthonywbelcher]

Sorry I don't understand your comment

[@anthonywbelcher]

Sorry I don't understand your comment

[@lesreed9269]

@@anthonywbelcher what does the word "lerk" mean - in your speech? Thanks.

[@anthonywbelcher]

@@lesreed9269 whereabouts do I say lerk

[@bertiewooster3326]

Er why !?!?!?!

[@anthonywbelcher]

Because it makes a huge difference to the way the car runs. It starts more easily, it ticks over more smoothly and it has more power. When the components of the old ignition system age the tolerances get poorer and it is not possible to gap the points accurately. The electronic ignition overcomes this so the engine runs perfectly. Try it and see the benefits for yourself.

[@bertiewooster3326]

@@anthonywbelcher i use points it's starts on the button even when battery is low I've driven 50,000 MLS across the world I know the points system will never fail and if if it does just change the part and stop scratching your head wondering what to do next .The best by far mod for a 7 is an SU carb ,no more blocked jets more power no flat spots more mpg better acceleration it goes on.The next best mod is a German 009 points distributor ( repeat German) the points only need adjustment about every 10,000 mls the condenser is built proof.I know taught by the 7 guru himself!

[@tractorhead971]

I wonder if my 1936 six cylinder Austin 12 could be converted? Hmmm

[@anthonywbelcher]

Yes I'm sure it could be done. My friend has successfully put electronic ignition on his Bentley Mark VI Special and is very pleased with the result.

[@barrybrockbank5705]

I’ve fitted electronic ignition to my 1948 Austin 16. The only problem that I have is setting the timing as the timing marks are on the gearbox!

[@peterrogers3311]

B

[@vijaywaingankar8352]

Good job sir

[@anthonywbelcher]

That's kind thank you, and it's still working perfectly.