How does this ignition timing work
- Thread starter Puddin
- Start date
Looks like a aftermarket distributor (could be optical or magnetic triggered) the box is basically the same as the ignition module in the factory HEI just a lot stronger.
I do not think it adjusts the timing since it still has the vacuum can. It does have a rev limiter in it likely changed with jumpers or a row of micro switches.
I think that's like 1990s technology.
I do not think it adjusts the timing since it still has the vacuum can. It does have a rev limiter in it likely changed with jumpers or a row of micro switches.
I think that's like 1990s technology.
"Capacitor discharge ignition"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capac...#:~:text=Capacitor-,discharge,-ignition (CDI)
Capacitive discharge is engineered to be faster in developing the spark than induction. System as stated is supposed to be more stable, "better" for higher RPM engines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capac...#:~:text=Capacitor-,discharge,-ignition (CDI)
Capacitive discharge is engineered to be faster in developing the spark than induction. System as stated is supposed to be more stable, "better" for higher RPM engines.
It's a control module. Had one on a big block Dart long time ago. I remember pulling the wire away from the spark plug and was amazed at how far the spark could jump. It was literally measured in inches.
Cool feature to control spark to limit the rpm. It was like an early 2 step. Randomly scattered to avoid filling the exhaust with fuel, which is what an ignition cut does.
It seemed like the aftermarket upgrade of the century. My friend bought one too but they both failed after a few years of use.
Cool feature to control spark to limit the rpm. It was like an early 2 step. Randomly scattered to avoid filling the exhaust with fuel, which is what an ignition cut does.
It seemed like the aftermarket upgrade of the century. My friend bought one too but they both failed after a few years of use.
Curiouser and curiouser. HEI's are normally self contained; they don't require an outside controller. The exception could be one that has been gutted internally and had some kind of reluctor and pickup like the pertronix units installed, That doesn't make sense because the HEI comes with a reluctor and pickup to begin with.
By default, if you lift the distributor cap, the first thing you will see is the rotor and under that will be advance mechanism which is a pair of weights that sit on pins and which are held closed by spings. As the engine accelerates, centrifugal force acts on the weights to cause them to spread or open up which adjusts the advance on the timing. When the engine returns to idle, they close up again. If you look below the advance plate, what you should see next is a toothed reluctor wheel that is attached to the distributor drive shaft. What you won't see is points and a condensor, in their place is an ignition module.
The HEI portion of it all is that the coil, which in older units was a separate device, is now mounted on top of the cap. It is removable for periodic replacement of the cap. After that the harness consists of a power lead to the cap from the ignition switch and a three wire plug in from the distributor body/ignition module to the cap. There is another terminal on the cap but that is for the tach lead and unless you have the gauge package, it will be empty.
So I have to wonder, is that controller actually attached to anything and/or doing anything,or is it some kind of leftover orphan from a previous exercise in timing control that got left behind as being too much of a nuisance to try and remove?
Nick
By default, if you lift the distributor cap, the first thing you will see is the rotor and under that will be advance mechanism which is a pair of weights that sit on pins and which are held closed by spings. As the engine accelerates, centrifugal force acts on the weights to cause them to spread or open up which adjusts the advance on the timing. When the engine returns to idle, they close up again. If you look below the advance plate, what you should see next is a toothed reluctor wheel that is attached to the distributor drive shaft. What you won't see is points and a condensor, in their place is an ignition module.
The HEI portion of it all is that the coil, which in older units was a separate device, is now mounted on top of the cap. It is removable for periodic replacement of the cap. After that the harness consists of a power lead to the cap from the ignition switch and a three wire plug in from the distributor body/ignition module to the cap. There is another terminal on the cap but that is for the tach lead and unless you have the gauge package, it will be empty.
So I have to wonder, is that controller actually attached to anything and/or doing anything,or is it some kind of leftover orphan from a previous exercise in timing control that got left behind as being too much of a nuisance to try and remove?
Nick
I have the same Accel cap/coil at the moment but think of that as any other coil in the cap, they're just one piece now. It's only a minor upgrade over stock. Sometimes not an upgrade at all. At some point I'll be swapping in a billet unit with an external coil and utilizing an MSD Streetfire box, which is essentially the same thing you have- old school CD Ignition. This is a real upgrade. The box has taken over the job that the module used to perform, and does a lot more. The module lives under the cap and rotor and receives input from a reluctor wheel (magnets) and its counterpart that spins with the distributor shaft. It appears that you could simply remove the box and reinstall a module to return that distributor to "stock" status. Appears that way, but we'd need to see inside to be sure. Many stock distributors have been turned into what you've got, as it's extremely common.
That Crane box is a classic analog version of a CD ignition, as stated. Some of the analogs are better than the digital units of today, and the Hi 6 was a good box. So good that Summit copied it/ sold it under their brand. If it works, use it. Crane changed the name many times, sometimes also changing the features such as adding boost retard. You may notice that while your ignition box and the one in the article linked are both a Hi-6, theirs also says "Fireball" and is black instead of gold.
Here's a link to a Motor Trend article where they install one: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/0...rane-hi6-gnition-kit-install/#google_vignette
I've got the wiring diagram as a PDF attachment below.
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