Electronic vs. Solid State Ignition

I have a stock 60 CJ5 with an F134 and am considering an ignition upgrade. What do you guys like, electronic ignition or solid state? The main goal is maintenance free and reliability. I would also like budget factored into this discussion. Down the road I may consider a 2 bbl carb, and when my rich uncle dies, maybe a header. What do you guys think?

 

Unless its going to be a daily driver where periodic maintenance becomes a chore, I vote stay with the points and condenser. Once you get the hang of setting them up, its really easy. Troubleshooting is easy and spares are cheap. At least keep a set in your tool bag if you convert over to electronic to get back on the road quickly. I run a Pertronix ignition in my F100 and have had a module fail about 500 miles from home. I was glad to have the points in the glove box.

I'm not sure what the difference between solid state and electronic would be. To my ignorance they sound the same. You will have a couple of options depending on which distributor you have: Pertonix (~$85) for the IAD, IAY, IAT or IGW distributors or HotSpark (~$70) for the IAD only. There are a couple of electronic replacement distributors that could be an option if yours is worn out (~$140 and up).

 

Howard, don't use the Dizzy word unless you want Patrick to smack you. I put a Pertoinics on the V6 in my 3B. It is up around 185,000 on the motor so things are a bit worn. Much better.

 

Yep. "Solid state" is a legacy term introduced when electronics went from vacuum tubes (electrons conducting across a vacuum) to transistors (electrons conducting through solid semiconductors). Electronic includes both, but I don't know of any electronic ignition that does not depend on transistors.

 

You mean I'm not the only one that finds that term irritating.

 

Me three. Hate it massively.

 

You are looking a little 'dizzy.' Howard.

 

Dizzy is what happens when one spins around too fast.

The problem with points is the moment they start being used they start degrading by the very nature that makes them work. Not so much with electronic versions.

 

Not looking for performance, just easy to start and runs well. If performance is a side effect then, cool, but not the goal. With a generator, would a hotter coil help with starting, or when starting is the coil output more about the battery then the generator. Example, if the battery is low, will the coil output be low also?

 

I have a 134fhead and just upgraded to an electronic distributor last week and enjoy it. One less thing for me to think about. There are pluses and minuses to both set up's, you just have to figure out what you want.

 

Electronic distributor upgrade

 

Just for the record, I have started a stock six volt jeep at minus -35ºF. Points were adequate and still are if used as intended.

For me preservation of old stuff is not just about the hardware - it is about keeping the knowledge and the skills alive.

And the old fashioned "can do" attitude and confidence which that competence nurtured.

 

'Dizzy' is the name of the girl who finally got Johnny in the 'Starship Troopers' book and movie.

 

I worked for a contractor that asked asked me if we could do some job. I replied that I could do it. He liked the attitude as did the homeowners.
Just for the record, I have all of the hand tools that my grandfathers used and I know how to use them and keep them sharp.
Some young'uns will stop by and attempt to do some mental math. I pull out a slide rule. I confuses the heck out of them. One kid couldn't figure out how to read my Seth Thomas school clock. what, no little led lights? Things haven't changed in 100 years? I go out and have a meal with a lady friend and she has to pull her phone out to figure out what a 15% tip is? It took me about two seconds for an answer. I say all of this and computers can still baffle me.

 

I am always figuring gas mileage, or how long till the next needed stop in time and distance to go. My jeep doesn't have a fancy computer in it to tell me that stuff, neither does my 2008 Dodge Van. The wife's Kia Rio does, though.

 

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