Sprint Ignition

[Sprint seeker]

Seeking a new condenser for my Sprint to go with the points i have bought. Rimmers say they will not have any condensers in until 30 June! Any ideas?

Also, I am tempted to convert to electronic ignition (is that legit?). Can anyone advise on a good make to buy and the suppliers please.

Many thanks

Terry

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

A sprint condensor has a longer lead but there is a similar condensor with a short lead, i just made up and extsnion lead.

I fitted a Simon BBc unit to my 1850, the Accuspark on my 1300 didnt last long.
Malcolm

[dursley92]

There is a post on here about rebuilding a 44D4 dizzy by James Shepard.
Superb job with lots of excellent pictures and he used a Lumenition Magnetronic which fits neatly inside.

This is one of his pictures

[Matt Cotton]

Hi Terry.

If you decide to stick with the points and condenser, I can recommend a set from: https://www.distributordoctor.com/

Not the cheapest, but good quality and most importantly reliable.

Kind Regards

MC

[killysprint]

Hi

My ten pence worth...

I tried the luminition system and had mixed results with it using a std distributor, cap and SU carbs. Maybe the way it was set up.

I now have an Aldon (non vacuum) distributor using an ambassador cap, small rotor arm, the accuspark system and webers - its been in about 8 years. Starts on the button hot or cold. Haven't had any problems with it - works fine. Keep a spare system in the car just in case, wasn't particularly expensive in the grand scheme of things.

Ultimately I'd like to move to the 123 programmable distributor - price is high but from those who use it - it's fit and forget.

[GinettaG15]

i would go for an Accuspark Module (or similar).

one of the first things i´m doing to all my "historic" cars since around 10-15 years is : converting the points-dizzy to electronic module.

in most cases i used accuspark, when accuspark wasnt still on the market i used petronix ignitor

its usually fit&forget...never changing points or condensators anymore..especially as nowadays quality of those items has become so bad that it´s unrealiable to drive around with them.

and i never had any failure with those hall-effect modules....

[10yearsafter]

check out my post by putting in H&H ignition. 10yearsafter.

Bob

[B8WLY]

Terry.

If money is not a problem, go for a 123.

My Sprint has been in storage since October last year. I have not started it for three months. Three turns of the key today it fired up, and idled at 800rpm like it was started and running yesterday.

The 123 is a superb bit of kit that is hard to beat.

The down side is they are pricey.

Richard.

[GinettaG15]

the 123 is imo an expensive alternative for the so not talented mechanic.

its still a dizzy (for people who prefer the classic look and who demand modern electronic, this might be the "only" reason to invest):

why i say this:
its still a rotating dizzy with a cap, a finger , a sparc which has to jump from the finger to the cap.

a dizzy-less solution like Megajolt or Nodiz is the "modern" way to go:
full electronic, no rotating parts, no wear parts but you need some knowledge in fabricating and spannering (installing a trigger wheel to the crank pulley for example)

so if you have the money, if you prefer an easy installation and if you are not so talented in fabricating: go for the 123
if you a good inspannering: got for the Megajolt or Nodiz.
if you are on a tight budget: go for a simple hall-effect module.

this said: both full electronic solutions (Mega and Nodiz) can be extended by a TPS, where you than have a full 3D mapping available.

3d Ignition with the correct mapping will really change such an oldschool engine.
Ask the Ford Escort or the Kitcar-Guys....most will tell you "installing the 3D ignition transfered the engine in a way that i thought i gained 10-15BHP"

[Sprint seeker]

Many thanks for all your responses, very helpful.

I am tempted to go down the 123 Ignition route.

Cheers

Terry

[Carledo]

the 123 is imo an expensive alternative for the so not talented mechanic.

its still a dizzy (for people who prefer the classic look and who demand modern electronic, this might be the "only" reason to invest):

why i say this:
its still a rotating dizzy with a cap, a finger , a sparc which has to jump from the finger to the cap.

a dizzy-less solution like Megajolt or Nodiz is the "modern" way to go:
full electronic, no rotating parts, no wear parts but you need some knowledge in fabricating and spannering (installing a trigger wheel to the crank pulley for example)

so if you have the money, if you prefer an easy installation and if you are not so talented in fabricating: go for the 123
if you a good inspannering: got for the Megajolt or Nodiz.
if you are on a tight budget: go for a simple hall-effect module.

this said: both full electronic solutions (Mega and Nodiz) can be extended by a TPS, where you than have a full 3D mapping available.

3d Ignition with the correct mapping will really change such an oldschool engine.
Ask the Ford Escort or the Kitcar-Guys....most will tell you "installing the 3D ignition transfered the engine in a way that i thought i gained 10-15BHP"

I have to correct this, true the 123 dizzy has a cap and rotor but that is where the similarity to a normal dizzy begins and ends. the 123 has no mechanical bobweight advance, the REAL bugbear of old school distributors, instead it has a fully mappable setup inside like the best Megajolt/Nodis systems.

Because of the design of the Sprint engine, where the jackshaft drives the distributor, which, in turn, drives the oil pump, it is impractical/impossible to delete the distributor entirely, even if (as I would) you go for a crank sensor and EDIS.

So you might as well make the most of this design oddity and use a 123!

Steve

PS We used Mahesh's 123 fitted Sprint on the 2018 RBRR, 2166 miles in 50hrs 1 min. It performed faultlessly, went like a train and averaged 43mpg over the distance. And that's still on SU carbs. Its a brilliant bit of kit and well worth the expense IMO!

Mahesh has the cleverest cost option, bluetooth connectivity that lets him tweak the map from his PHONE!

[tonybsa]

I drive a classic car to get away from modern electronics!
I use new old stock Lucas or Intermotor points, which can usually be bought off ebay cheaper than Rimmers new ones.
The trouble with modern points is that the plastic heel is too soft a material, meaning they wear out faster. I have done around 6000 miles on my current nos ones, and have needed to adjust them once.
Condensors, are another area where new ones are best avoided, I only use nos on them as well, and never have any issues.
Modern poor quality replacement parts, have given points, and condensors a bad name.

[soe8m]

You can fit a vacuum and a black dizzy cap to an 123 just for the looks....

An 123 is not your average conversion as Steve already mentioned. These programmable have also dual curves and ideally for my LPG conversions. One curve for LPG and one for petrol to have it not pinking.

It switches automatically with the choosen fuel.

Jeroen

[GinettaG15]

the 123 is imo an expensive alternative for the so not talented mechanic.

its still a dizzy (for people who prefer the classic look and who demand modern electronic, this might be the "only" reason to invest):

why i say this:
its still a rotating dizzy with a cap, a finger , a sparc which has to jump from the finger to the cap.

a dizzy-less solution like Megajolt or Nodiz is the "modern" way to go:
full electronic, no rotating parts, no wear parts but you need some knowledge in fabricating and spannering (installing a trigger wheel to the crank pulley for example)

so if you have the money, if you prefer an easy installation and if you are not so talented in fabricating: go for the 123
if you a good inspannering: got for the Megajolt or Nodiz.
if you are on a tight budget: go for a simple hall-effect module.

this said: both full electronic solutions (Mega and Nodiz) can be extended by a TPS, where you than have a full 3D mapping available.

3d Ignition with the correct mapping will really change such an oldschool engine.
Ask the Ford Escort or the Kitcar-Guys....most will tell you "installing the 3D ignition transfered the engine in a way that i thought i gained 10-15BHP"

I have to correct this, true the 123 dizzy has a cap and rotor but that is where the similarity to a normal dizzy begins and ends. the 123 has no mechanical bobweight advance, the REAL bugbear of old school distributors, instead it has a fully mappable setup inside like the best Megajolt/Nodis systems.

Because of the design of the Sprint engine, where the jackshaft drives the distributor, which, in turn, drives the oil pump, it is impractical/impossible to delete the distributor entirely, even if (as I would) you go for a crank sensor and EDIS.

So you might as well make the most of this design oddity and use a 123!

Steve

PS We used Mahesh's 123 fitted Sprint on the 2018 RBRR, 2166 miles in 50hrs 1 min. It performed faultlessly, went like a train and averaged 43mpg over the distance. And that's still on SU carbs. Its a brilliant bit of kit and well worth the expense IMO!

Mahesh has the cleverest cost option, bluetooth connectivity that lets him tweak the map from his PHONE!

thats true...same applies at Ford´s SOHC (pinto) powered cars....you need to leave the dizzy (or some remaings) fitted to drive the oilpump. but plenty of owners still convert to 3D ignition (Megajolt or Nodiz...mappable via Smartphone as well)....i must admit that the 123 thing is more common in the Triumph and MG community, than at Ford´s.....you hardly find Escorts or Cortina´s running with 123.....as you can see from my words, i´m originally a "Ford-Man"...now in the Triumph world.

[dursley92]

Terry.

If money is not a problem, go for a 123.

My Sprint has been in storage since October last year. I have not started it for three months. Three turns of the key today it fired up, and idled at 800rpm like it was started and running yesterday.

The 123 is a superb bit of kit that is hard to beat.

The down side is they are pricey.

Richard.

Richard, I was looking at the 123 option but the adapter problem put me off.
Yours looks very neat so how did you manage that please?

Russ