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Thread: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

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    World Champion Decade Plus User Mk2Matt's Avatar

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    How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Today we (Rich, RChambers, was a HUGE help!) fitted my 1300 crossflow with electronic ignition and rid it of points.

    To do this you need the distributor AND COIL (yes we forgot the coil!) from a Mk2 1.0/1.1 Fiesta, one of these…



    It needs to be a late model one as the early ones had points so it would defeat the object. Once you find one in the scrappy remove the distributor (held on with one pinch bolt 10mm sized), the plug and length of wire going to the distributor, the coil, and the vac advance line as the old one might not be long enough. We paid £20 for all this so it’s a lot cheaper than after market solutions.
    • Remove HT leads and distributor cap from old dizzy (remembering the firing order and where they go back).
    • Set rotor cap to point at the first HT lead position so you can get the new distributor lined up enough to start the car again.
    • Remove old distributor from engine and dispose of how you feel, we suggest launching it over the garage or propping a door open.
    • Place new distributor into engine and making sure it the rotor is pointing towards the number one HT lead. Leave the distributor loose enough so you can adjust the timing at this stage.
    • The new distributor will have a plug with three wires coming out of it (you did remember to cut a length of wire and leave the plug attached didn’t you! These need to be wired into your car in the following way:
      • Black – positive side of coil
      • Green – negative side of coil
      • Brown – earth


    The new coil needs 12V so if you are running a ballast coil you will need to run a new wire direct from the ignition feed as the old one will only give 9V.
    • Place dizzy cap onto distributor.
    • Replace HT leads.
    • Replace old coil with one off donor car (or new electronic ignition one like we did).
    • Make sure everything is connected up and in place and start car.
    • You should now use a timing light to set the timing to the correct position.
    • Sit back and smile smugly knowing you won’t be gapping or replacing points anymore!
    Before:


    After:




    This should be easier on a 1600 xflow as the block is taller so there is more clearance from the inlet manifold to the distributor.

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    World Champion Decade Plus User RChambers's Avatar

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Nice one Matt! I'm going to make this sticky as its got to be useful to quite a few people. Feel free to add your own info and pics and I'll edit it all together into one comprehensive guide

    She's built like a Steakhouse, but handles like a Bistro

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    nice one guy's,

    i would be interested to see if there are any "side effects" by using a distributor with the wrong advance curve! that said if your x/f is modified them its origonal adavnce curve is probably no longer right any way

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    I just used a Pertronix kit (the aldon ignitor is this kit but rebadged and twice the price, plus vat, plus delivery !). This fitted into my origional dizzy so i kept the correct advance curve for the engine. But as already said this might not matter to you, but you might have to send away you new dizzy to have the advance curve changed on it ? esp if you change the camshaft etc.
    Anyhow the Pertronix kit was £60 delivered. Paid the chap in the usa using paypal and it was sent from the warehouse in England the next day !

    Not throwing a spanner in the works just giveing another option.

    Cheers
    Craig

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    World Champion Decade Plus User Mk2Matt's Avatar

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    All opinions etc appreciated, this is here to answer everyones questions about the conversion in one post, when we were researching all this we found lots of posts all containing conflicting information in one way or another - hence this one post.

    My engine is modified, the major one being the FR32 fast road cam. We checked the timing before the conversion, and then after set it back to where it was with the old points system. Took it for a couple of test runs and it ran and idled fine

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    World Champion Decade Plus User Mk2Matt's Avatar

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Quote Originally Posted by Mk2Matt
    the major one being the FR32 fast road cam.
    Oops, meant BCF2 fast road cam It's early!!!
    Last edited by Graham; 05-04-2006 at 13:36.

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    and i thought you were really clever fitting a pinto cam in an x/flow

    what you really ought to be doing is playing with the timing at peak torque not idle, peak torque is usually where engines want the least advance and the point at which they will pink and do other nasty things if over advanced.

    if your going to play with timing without a rolling road, you need two of you and a stop watch and meassure how long it takes to accelerate from 3000 upto say 5000rpm 3rd gear full throttle,

    or to do it without the stop watch, pick a landmark close to the road such as a bus stop, lamp post etc, and a second one further away, drive upto the 1st landmark 3000 rpm in 3rd, floor it once you reach the landmark and note your speed as you reach the second. try a different timing setting and repeat until, you have either

    found the best timing setting,
    run out of fuel
    or been nicked for being a public nusance
    Last edited by Graham; 05-04-2006 at 13:37.

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    or take to track n road who told me to do this conversion and then said they can adjust the curve by bending something in the dizzie .

    Good thread matt might be enough of a push to make me go out to the shed and fit mine (got the dizzie forgot the coil )

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Try the local Halfords as they are clearing out there old stock of Lucas gear so they might have one lying about cheap On the other hand you might get stuck talking to the usual idiots there and not have any luck. £25 for most motor factors otherwise (any 12V electronic ignition one will do)

    She's built like a Steakhouse, but handles like a Bistro

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    I got a new coil from Halfords about a month ago, was only £3.99.
    Was for electronic ignition too.

    Edit: make sure you ask the old bloke that works there. If you ask the divvy kids they just say they are obsolete!
    Last edited by Dave; 05-04-2006 at 22:20.

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Quote Originally Posted by mk1matt
    or take to track n road who told me to do this conversion and then said they can adjust the curve by bending something in the dizzie .
    )
    yeah if you bend the pegs that the springs are hooked on you slow down the advance rate, or weld up the stops to limit the total advance

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Nice thread Matt. I have also upgraded to electronic ignition.

    Check out this link explaining how to modify the advance curve and let me know how you get on

    http://hometown.aol.com/dvandrews/timing.htm

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    yes thats a good piece, i recently modified the advance curve on a 2.4 CIH opel engine, without a rolling road, it took ages to get it right, as good as that artical is it doesn't say its a difficult thing to sort if you dont have experience of the dizzy internals or what your actually trying to achive

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    I haven't tried it yet but I have read it about 5 times trying to get the motivation to have a go

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    It must be catching this , i ditched my points today and went electronic on the promise of a small power gain . I have been assured that the plastic chopper that triggers the ignition box wont break like the old ones did but time will tell , i've broke two of the poxy things before on other engines so i hope they now use stronger plastic !!!!

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    just thought i would say thats excactly how i converted my xflow to electronic and i not happy with the advance curve,i have lost top end but bottom end is pretty good,does anyone know who can modify the distributor for me,,

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Have a go youself if your brave enough
    http://hometown.aol.com/dvandrews/timing.htm
    You may need to read the artical a couple of times.
    I did the conversion myself but my dizzie's advance curve came out pretty spot on

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Or find someone who has one of these ...
    (makes modifying a whole lot easier)
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 000096.JPG‎  


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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    I did this same conversion on my mum's 1600 x-flow a fair few years ago, which led to the car becoming much more reliable.

    The ignition amp died one day in Essex when she was coming back from her caravan, and on my advice called out the RAC to get her going. The patrol was so completely confused by the Fieta distributor that he told her to call out the person that did the modification!

    Needlesstosay, the diagnosis was spot on and after an hours drive, and 5 minutes to fit the new item she was on her way.

    Bloody roadside assistance

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    If thats a bosch cap you could fit a 2wd cosworth cap by refiling the cap groove, that way you will have 90 degree side exit leads.
    Cosworth Electronics / Pectel Dealer, Syvecs Dealer.
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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Err

    So can I just fit a Fiesty dizzy to my 1600 without any major problem or not????

    that thing about the coil ... I have the standard coil and want to know where best to take 12 volts from .. And do I just route it to the positive coil terminal?
    I'm going to pull your head off because i don't like your head!

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    mk2 1.1 Fiesta dizzy fits a xflow but you have to use the electronic ignition coil off of the fiesta as it would burn out a normal one take +12V from the ignition switch so its live when cranking and with the ignition on otherwise it will never start

    She's built like a Steakhouse, but handles like a Bistro

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    this is exactly what im running on my mk1 fiesta, im using the original coil and removed the ballast resistor, hasnt failed me yet


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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    I am using a Honda electronic dizzy on my 1600 xflow and I luv the fact that I don't have to fiddle with points anymore (and the extra power :-) )

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Hi Red Pepper, I am thinking of coverting my sons 2 litre pinto to Electronic Ignition. Just wondering what Honda dizzy you used and if this will work on a 2 litre. Cheers

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Howdy Smicker, unfortunately the 2ltr dizzy spins the opposite way to a 1600, so it won't work.

    I have another electronic dizzy that spins the same way as a 2ltr (surplus to my needs) that may help you but it may require some fiddling

    I think that there is a link on http://rs2000.mine.nu/site/home/frames.html that may help??

    If not email me your email address as I think I have a copy that I can send you on the subject for 2ltr motors

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    There is also http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-Escort-C...3A1|240%3A1318

    but this seems expensive, your call

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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    some ( or more likely all) sierras came with electrickery as standard. this will fit any pinto, you need the module and a bit of wiring. its a bosch dizzy

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Quote Originally Posted by Red Pepper View Post
    I am using a Honda electronic dizzy on my 1600 xflow and I luv the fact that I don't have to fiddle with points anymore (and the extra power :-) )
    From what Honda? I have 2 xflow thats need something better

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    From what Honda?

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    I will try and find out from my Mechanic and report back

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    thanks Red Pepper, will pm you cheers

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    First of all hello to everybody at Turbosport, this is my first posting!

    Does anyone know if the Fiesta Mk2/Bosch dizzy clears an inlet manifold for twin 40's on a 1300 xflow block? I'm sure I will need a side entry cap, but is there enough room left? Second, what will be better in that case: short manifold or long one (Escort Mk1)

    cheers Stefan

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Quote Originally Posted by loop View Post
    From what Honda? I have 2 xflow thats need something better
    I am told from mid '80s Integra or Civicalthough there are 2 or 3 variants

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Quote Originally Posted by Red Pepper View Post
    I am told from mid '80s Integra or Civicalthough there are 2 or 3 variants
    Ok, they are gone here rusted away

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    hi does anyone know if the same info will aply for pre x-flows?

    cheers sam.

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    Quote Originally Posted by flaming-s View Post
    First of all hello to everybody at Turbosport, this is my first posting!

    Does anyone know if the Fiesta Mk2/Bosch dizzy clears an inlet manifold for twin 40's on a 1300 xflow block? I'm sure I will need a side entry cap, but is there enough room left? Second, what will be better in that case: short manifold or long one (Escort Mk1)

    cheers Stefan
    Didn't fit on my 1600 which is a taller block so theoreticslly more room than a 1300

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    I am Chris from Malta owning an Escort Mk1 xflow 1600cc (1740)cc engine with twin dellorto 40's. I am in doubt if the cylinder head has been ported or not? How can I know please? At the moment I have the carbs out of the engine as they are getting serviced.
    Hope you can help me to identify if the cylinder head is ported or not.
    Thanks
    Chris

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    HI, I'm just about to start this conversion on a mk2 Escort 1600 x flow can anyone tell me if they have the same conversion without any probs in the advance curve or needing to modify the dizzy? The engine is standard.
    Cheers
    Last edited by asbosgrandad; 14-03-2010 at 10:00.

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    Re: How To... Convert crossflow to electronic ignition

    you might have trouble but you could take all the weights and the srpings off your standard dizzy then fit them into the new item.
    Hexham and District Motorclub

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