Technical 123 electronic ignition

[stocky]

Can anyone tell me if its worth spending £300 on one for my 650cc engine. What benefits should i see?
Other mod I'm considering is front disc conversion which I think is about £500.
All opinions welcome.

 

[the hobbler]

Can anyone tell me if its worth spending £300 on one for my 650cc engine. What benefits should i see?
Other mod I'm considering is front disc conversion which I think is about £500.
All opinions welcome.

I know people have differing opinions, and experiences, regarding front discs on a 500 (for a 'road-use-only car, rear discs are a waste of time and money),but my advice is---if you are retaining the original front wheels and tyres, think VERY hard about front discs. I have 5-1/2 x 13 wheels (and the appropriate tyres) on my 500, and if I brake VERY hard, I can actually"lock them up" IN THE DRY. On a wet road, with standard wheels/tyres, it would be very easy to lock-up,and skid. The 126 had bigger brakes, so fitting Mk1 126 front hub-units and brakes might be a better way to go. The "Mk 1" (594cc) 126 models had the same wheel-bolt pattern as the 500---the wheels were also slightly wider (4 inch as against the 3-1/2 on the 500).
With regard to the "123" electronic ignition, they are no longer made in the Netherlands, and I have been advised that the quality is not the same as the original "Dutch made" versions. One thing to remember about ALL the electronic ignitions, irrelevant of cost, is they they do not like heat---if they are constantly subjected to over 100C they wilt (spelt D.I.E.).The 'engine-cooling' air being blown over the engine exits the Thermostat-housing right over the distributor, and on a hot day, after a 'spirited' drive, that 'engine-cooling' air can easily exceed 100C. Points, if set and maintained properly, will give very little trouble---their only 'weak-point' is the condenser. The modern "pattern" condensers are (to put it politely) crap, in that they are very poorly made and do not like heat. If you can find an old ORIGINAL, it will give you little problem. The modern way around this problem is to fit a "Competition" condenser---these condensers (from Swiftune) are made with both a long 'feed' lead and a long 'earth' lead, so they can be mounted up by the coils, away from the heat. They have been designed for historic race cars where the rules dictate that the ignition system has to be "as original"---Minis through the GT40s.
If you really do want to fit 'electronic'ignition, I have written an article on how to put a small "hear-barrier" inside the thermostat-housing, which helps keep some of the (often very) hot "engine cooling" air away from the distributor. If you would like a copy of that article, being that it is on paper, drop me an e-mail( [email protected] ) with your address, and I will pop a copy into the post for you.

 

[stocky]

I know people have differing opinions, and experiences, regarding front discs on a 500 (for a 'road-use-only car, rear discs are a waste of time and money),but my advice is---if you are retaining the original front wheels and tyres, think VERY hard about front discs. I have 5-1/2 x 13 wheels (and the appropriate tyres) on my 500, and if I brake VERY hard, I can actually"lock them up" IN THE DRY. On a wet road, with standard wheels/tyres, it would be very easy to lock-up,and skid. The 126 had bigger brakes, so fitting Mk1 126 front hub-units and brakes might be a better way to go. The "Mk 1" (594cc) 126 models had the same wheel-bolt pattern as the 500---the wheels were also slightly wider (4 inch as against the 3-1/2 on the 500).
With regard to the "123" electronic ignition, they are no longer made in the Netherlands, and I have been advised that the quality is not the same as the original "Dutch made" versions. One thing to remember about ALL the electronic ignitions, irrelevant of cost, is they they do not like heat---if they are constantly subjected to over 100C they wilt (spelt D.I.E.).The 'engine-cooling' air being blown over the engine exits the Thermostat-housing right over the distributor, and on a hot day, after a 'spirited' drive, that 'engine-cooling' air can easily exceed 100C. Points, if set and maintained properly, will give very little trouble---their only 'weak-point' is the condenser. The modern "pattern" condensers are (to put it politely) crap, in that they are very poorly made and do not like heat. If you can find an old ORIGINAL, it will give you little problem. The modern way around this problem is to fit a "Competition" condenser---these condensers (from Swiftune) are made with both a long 'feed' lead and a long 'earth' lead, so they can be mounted up by the coils, away from the heat. They have been designed for historic race cars where the rules dictate that the ignition system has to be "as original"---Minis through the GT40s.
If you really do want to fit 'electronic'ignition, I have written an article on how to put a small "hear-barrier" inside the thermostat-housing, which helps keep some of the (often very) hot "engine cooling" air away from the distributor. If you would like a copy of that article, being that it is on paper, drop me an e-mail( [email protected] ) with your address, and I will pop a copy into the post for you.

Thank you for this info its certainly made me think. Ive had 500s in the past with 650 engines which is why I was thinking of these upgrades however ive not been out and about in this one yet as I've just been tinkering with the paint and cosmetics while I sold another classic I had. I think I'll drive it a bit and see how it runs and stops before I decide following your comments. It's also had new shocks all round and uprated springs. I asked previous owner why the springs and he said to handle better so I'm hoping that means it goes well. Yes I bought it blind, been happy so far as body is good. Insurance now sorted so probably give it an outing tomorrow, weather dependent.

 

[lazylobster]

I have 125 tyres with drum brakes, I can still lock up the fronts under heavy braking.

I have a powerspark electronic ignition on mine, had for many years, still alive and not crazy money like the 123 unit. but I think when I move to a hotter country I would put points back in with swiftune condensor.

 

[stocky]

Went for first drive today, goes like a go kart and stops well so those mods may be on back burner. I had a fiat 600 before and this seems so much livelier, really fun to drive.
Attached a few photos, stripes on now, paint touched up as required so ready to enjoy.

 

[the hobbler]

Went for first drive today, goes like a go kart and stops well so those mods may be on back burner. I had a fiat 600 before and this seems so much livelier, really fun to drive.
Attached a few photos, stripes on now, paint touched up as required so ready to enjoy.

I have been helping a 500 collector in Malta---he has had a lot of problems with 'electronic'ignition, so has gone back to points with a "remote from the distributor" condenser. End of problems!

 

[Ant Knox]

For what it's worth, I had to make an emergency stop a couple of years ago in my standard (drums) 500L after a log bounced out of the flatbed van I was following; I can confirm that the drums are sufficiently strong enough to initiate full lock-up of the wheels and skid on a fast road!
Reassuring as it was that the brakes are effective as standard, it did teach me to allow more braking distance between the vehicle in front than I would in my daily driver!