Re: Solid State Ignition
Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/8/11 7:43:37
The caps and rotors have been in reproduction for at least 10 years and originals also show up occasionally on Ebay so supply really isn't a problem, though cost isn't exactly modest. I'm well-fixed and not in the market and don't recall recent numbers, but I'd guess at about $500 for a new cap and rotor. No, there is no simple or even complicated way to adopt a different cap. Folks insufficient desire in maintaining the correct system just go to a later series senior 8 distributor which uses a conventional cap and rotor.
One coil wire enters the cap conventionally at the center of the cap with the usual carbon brush completing the circuit to one end of the rotor. The second coil wire enters the cap at the top also, off-center, and connects to a brass ring imbedded in the bakelite outboard of the center, and this connects via an off-center carbon brush to the opposite end of the rotor. Firing of the plugs then alternatives between opposite ends of the rotor.
It's an elegant system and as trouble-free as any - points last twice as long (though you need 2 sets) and the dwell angle is that of a 4-cylinder conventional distributor giving a really nice, fat, hot spark. Engine usually starts with less than 1/2 a revolution.
Original condensors were mounted vertically in holes in the base plate but as you can see there is enough room to mount modern universal condensors in the conventional mode.
Here's a scan of the rotor, outer carbon brush missing. A very similar rotor was used on the Twelve, and quite a few other makes used the same or similar rotor. NorthEast was purchased by Delco Remy in 1934 or 1935.
My scanner seems to distort, but here's a lousy scan of the inside of the cap and you can see the brass ring for the second carbon brush on the rotor. The "ears" top and bottom are the dust cap on the top of the cap. Wires protrude from the sides under the dust cap.
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One coil wire enters the cap conventionally at the center of the cap with the usual carbon brush completing the circuit to one end of the rotor. The second coil wire enters the cap at the top also, off-center, and connects to a brass ring imbedded in the bakelite outboard of the center, and this connects via an off-center carbon brush to the opposite end of the rotor. Firing of the plugs then alternatives between opposite ends of the rotor.
It's an elegant system and as trouble-free as any - points last twice as long (though you need 2 sets) and the dwell angle is that of a 4-cylinder conventional distributor giving a really nice, fat, hot spark. Engine usually starts with less than 1/2 a revolution.
Original condensors were mounted vertically in holes in the base plate but as you can see there is enough room to mount modern universal condensors in the conventional mode.
Here's a scan of the rotor, outer carbon brush missing. A very similar rotor was used on the Twelve, and quite a few other makes used the same or similar rotor. NorthEast was purchased by Delco Remy in 1934 or 1935.
My scanner seems to distort, but here's a lousy scan of the inside of the cap and you can see the brass ring for the second carbon brush on the rotor. The "ears" top and bottom are the dust cap on the top of the cap. Wires protrude from the sides under the dust cap.
Attach file:
(28.04 KB)
(129.72 KB)
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