End of an (electrical) era

[Brian Rupnow]

Since I built my first internal combustion engine in 2012, I've been using  automotive ignition points that originally were used on 1961 to 1972 Chrysler products. They were fabulous!! These points and the the same year of condenser worked with absolutely no modifications on the small i.c. engines I make. They worked so good that I modelled them in 3D cad, and just dropped them into an engine cad assembly whenever I needed them. And the best part was that the points and condenser together cost only $20 Canadian funds. Alas, this year they were declared "special order" parts.--I can still get them, but now they cost $40 per set---and that is too steep for my blood. I could bite the bullet and move up to electronic ignition with a Hall switch and magnet, but again, the cost ends up being prohibitive. I think I am now going to have to find a supplier of ignition points for a chainsaw or gas lawnmower ??? that will work on a 12 volt power supply, model them in 3D cad, and begin using them on anymore engines that I build. If anybody has a favorite set of inexpensive mechanical ignition points and condenser they would like to share with me, it would be greatly appreciated. It is not a problem to model them up in 3D and begin using them instead of my old Chrysler points.---Brian Rupnow

[maury]

Brian, have you tried Ali Express?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804341901905.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=708-803-3821&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=708-803-3821&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en3256804341901905&ds_e_product_merchant_id=107917201&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=19108282527&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&aff_fcid=b9eec53e3e7b46b884951282dcc7fe4e-1717601743557-00962-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=b9eec53e3e7b46b884951282dcc7fe4e-1717601743557-00962-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=e963416b5a474179974bcb59a673ae2d&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

[Jasonb]

You don't need to use a hall sensor with many of the modern electronic CDI ignitions, any two bits of metal will do as they only need a very low current to act as a switch. I've only used one hall sensor with my usual S/S ignition but a dozen or more simple metal contacts.

This is the Ideal that I draw up the patterns for that Graham Corry has made, it's running with a cheap CDI and all it has it the wire toughing the conrod as it comes round to trip the spark, what could be simpler or cheaper?

[Admiral_dk]

Great suggestions already - so I will just mention that you do Not find any Points on a Lawnmover nor Chainsaw (too expensive + more to go wrong) ....

Per

[steam guy willy]

Hi ....About 20 years ago I bought a Magnetronic  contact set for my 40 year old Morriss Minor 20 years later I have had no trouble wit hit and have not removed the distributor cap since then ?!!!!

Willy

[Zephyrin]

the contact breakers and capacitors for motorcycle are easy to find on ebay, for 10-20 €, newly made one, not old burnt points; I used them on my engines...but the contact breaker is not that difficult to make for a particular engine (stiff spring and tiny gap are the secret), as commercial point were too large for some of my little models...on my recent sparkies I use electronic ignition module with satisfaction.

[TerryWerm]

You might want to try ignition points for farm tractors.

Here is one very close to what you were using from the looks of it:  https://www.steinertractor.com/ABC6204-Point-Set

Otherwise, here is a more generic search on Steiner's website:  https://antique-tractor-parts.steinertractor.com/search?w=points

No connection to Steiner, just a satisfied customer.