General 123 ignition replacement

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General 123 ignition replacement

PointFiveO

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Hi All, after dealing with running issues while the engine is hot, which, after a process of elimination seem to point to the existing 123 electronic ignition having gone bad, I am considering replacing the electronic ignition. I'd like to replace it with the same 123 ignition. My car has the 123 ignition Plus which came as a unit with the distributer part attached. I know it's also available as the ignition unit only for use with the old type distributer body. I see from a quick search that this later ignition only unit seems to be what is generally available now. Am I right to assume that the 'faulty' ignition part of my 123 Plus unit can be detached and simply replaced with the new ignition unit reusing the exiting distributer part or is it possible that I might have to also buy a new old style distributer to strip and convert for use with the ignition?
 

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I believe the top replacement style only utilizes the mechanical bits of the distributor. So unless you did something really bad the top fitting is all you should need. I have the full distributor replacement on mine.
 
Thanks for that. I had presumed it would only be the actual ignition top part I would need,

Colm.
 
Thanks for that. I had presumed it would only be the actual ignition top part I would need,

Colm.

Colm, I'm not quite sure what you have already, but I wouldn't buy anything until you are certain that the old unit is broken. Even then I think you'll find that the company can refurbish old units.

If yours is one of the complete replacement distributors I think you would need a conventional distributor body if you buy the item you pictured. The full setups are still available.

I was very dubious about these things at first but experience shows me they are very robust. Mine has been through over-voltages and possible overheating and still works perfectly having covered tens of thousands of miles on two different engines.
Regards Peter
 
Hi Peter, I have the complete unit that doesn't require a separate distributor to be converted as per the first picture I attached. Although I haven't removed it I had assumed that the top part would detach from the distributor part and could be replaced by a new top ignition unit, if you follow me. I'm not still 100% it's the electronic ignition to blame but am veering that way. I've changed, plugs, leads, coil and checked valve clearances. I suppose it might be a fuel problem; air leak, carb blockage, fuel pump. It starts to misfire and run rough once the engine gets hot. I will investigate further before changing anything and you're right the 123 ignition does seem like a tough unit, it was in my car when I bought it 11 years ago, which included an engine rebuild 7 years ago. Thanks for your input.

Colm.
 
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