Technical 1971 upgrades

[GregD101]

Good evening everyone. I'm after some advice please.

I'm after doing a couple of upgrades to my 1971 Fiat 500L. Is has the upgraded 126 650cc engine.

Im after getting an electronic ignition installed, but which one am I best going for, also, will I need a new 12v coil pack?

Lastly, I could do with changing the standard gear lever to a stubby one, as I struggle sometimes changing gear as it's right under my leg. Any advice on where I can get hole of one would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[the hobbler]

Good evening everyone. I'm after some advice please.

I'm after doing a couple of upgrades to my 1971 Fiat 500L. Is has the upgraded 126 650cc engine.

Im after getting an electronic ignition installed, but which one am I best going for, also, will I need a new 12v coil pack?

Lastly, I could do with changing the standard gear lever to a stubby one, as I struggle sometimes changing gear as it's right under my leg. Any advice on where I can get hole of one would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Good evening Greg---where about in Cheshire do you live? I live about 2 miles from the centre of Chester (but 200 yards INSIDE north Wales). A word of warning---whichever 'electronic'ignition' that you fit has a problem---irrespective of cost.That fault is the position of the distributor, which is right in the path of the hot (and often, very) "cooling air" that is blown over the engine. "Electronic unit wise" there is not much between the various "Hall effect" units---Accuspark, Powerspark and Ultraspark. These systems are all about the £45 mark, whereas the "123" system is a lot more expensive, and suffers the same from heat. Most modern condensers also suffer from heat---so personally, I would suggest that you retain the points, and fit a "Swiftune Competition Condenser" which can be fitted remote from the distributor, and up by the coil---away from the heat. I suffered an expiring 'electronic unit' and devised a way to fit a small 'heat-barrier' inside the thermostat housing as a way of trying to keep the distributor as cool as possible. I will happily send you a copy of the article regarding the 'heat-barrier construction. Feel free to give me a ring one evening---01244-683824. Depending where you are in Cheshire, we could meet up for chat over a cup of coffee about "Cinquecentos"
With regard to your gear-lever problem, offhand I don't know of any supplier for a "short" gear-lever---you might have to end up modifying a standard gear-lever to your personal requirements.
Tom