Regarding the challenges of electronic ignition: I recommend the Pertronix ignition. It is a very easy, quick conversion and has been absolutely reliable for me. My Series V runs more smoothly, will idle down to 500 rpm (if I want it to) and has improved the fuel mileage as well. There is usually an ad in the front colored pages of Hemmings for this product.
Paul #14649 in sunny South Dakota
Russell Maddock wrote:
> I have to agree with Jarrid. I've owned Rootes products for my entire
> driving life and they have rarely let me down, be they weekend only or
> everyday use cars. On the few occasions I have been stranded, it has usually
> been my fault or the DPO's or just plain wear and tear, not British
> engineering.
>
> Incidentally, I'm developing a phobia about electronic ignition, because
> every time I get into a Rootes car with this modification it breaks down. Of
> course, the quality of the conversion has a lot to do with it!
>
> Russ Maddock
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jarrid Gross (Yorba Linda, CA) <GROSS(at)UNIT.COM>
> To: Cornett <MCORNETT(at)prodigy.net>
> Cc: alpines(at)autox.team.net <alpines(at)autox.team.net>
> Date: Tuesday, 25 August 1998 2:46
> Subject: Re: New alpine owner
>
> >
> > ----------
> >From: Cornett
> >
> >>Sounds like an excelent idea but I would make the exchange as soon as
> >>possible or you may miss out of owning a truly reliable and fast auto.
> >>
> >>
> >>the V-6 supporter
> >>T.C.
> >>SI V-6 five speed halve finished
> >
> >
> >Not wanting to escalate the current originality/updated camp
> >skirmish, let me put in a few pence.
> >
> >
> >The alpine engine is a very robust powerplant, its is the ancilliary
> >components that are the pieces that give us the most grief.
> >
> >Getting a fresh set of carbs, with unworn throttle shafts, getting
> >a new distributor with unworn bushes, elliminating the points
> >on the electrical system, and replacing everything that wears
> >out with time "like the old lucas coils with rivet on terminals".
> >
> >You do all that, and you will have a 100,000 mile alpine for sure.
> >
> >The rootes blocks are a very hard iron.
> >Ask anyone whose ever had a 100,000 mile engine apart, and
> >pushed the pistons out the block sans ridge reamer.
> >
> >My car still has all lucas electrics. I even run a Lucas Sport
> >coil, with aftermarket electronic ignition.
> >
> >I have new webers to replace the worn downdraft zeniths that belong
> >on the car.
> >
> >Bewteen the carbs, and electronic ignition, 90% of the reliability
> >griefs that I hear about on this list would be history.
> >
> >As with any car/engine/component. 30 years of use, abuse and
> >outright neglect, will result in loss of performance or outright failure.
> >
> >Yes, there is a such thing as entropy.
> >
> >
> >Thats not to say you should'nt put another engine in an alpine.
> >I'll tell you that my alpine is very fast, and getting more reliable
> >by the day.
> >I'll also say you'd be hard pressed to stuff more horsepower
> >in an alpine shell for less $$$$ too.
> >
> >Alpine engine components are rather inexpensive.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Jarrid
> >