Plugs

[David Morris]

Hi All,

Just come back to the desk, having changed my plugs after far too long!

This led me to thinking, over the 53 years that I have been running Javelins, what has been the major cause of on-the-road problems? The answer has to be ignition problems.

How to avoid this? I am sure there are loads of thoughts, but for what it's worth, my advice would be to ditch the original coil and points set-up and invest in a set of really good spark plugs. My experience with the original Champion L10's has not been a happy one. I am sure there are lots of competitors, but my recommendation is to use NGK B6HS. I have tried lots of types ( and I am sure many of you have been tempted, like me, with cheap sets of plugs, supposedly identical to the L10's, from stalls at car rallies ) but for constant reliability I find the NGK's invaluable. Why such a relatively simple (!) engine like ours should be fussy over plugs beats me, but just accept it. I buy mine from eBay, at a fraction of the cost in the High Street.

Having ditched the 1900's points ignition, my recommendation is the Accuspark coil and ignition module, again after lots of experimentation. No points to worry about and a reliable fat spark. ( the Concours judge won't spot the difference either, unless he takes the cap off the distributor, as it's all hidden inside! ) I can remember playing about with several systems in the lab ( should have been working David! Ok, it was lunchtime! ) and it is surprising how near failure is the conventional points system. It only takes a low battery or some condensation and that's it, until you improve things.

Have fun while this weather lasts!

David

ps. I have no connection with either manufacturer!

[CyrilWhite]

Let us know how you get on with Accuspark , lot's of varied views about the reliability etc .

[David Morris]

Hi Cyril, I have had the Accuspark ignition module and their coil fitted in the Javelin for about four years. No problems so far! Previously, I had another make of module ( cannot remember the make ) but that was five times the cost and failed me after about two years.
I am also using the replacement distributor I mentioned in another post. It's also from Accuspark and very reasonable, being less than £40! It's designed for 1964 MGB's and checking the ignition mapping, it seems very close to our originals. Anyway, it works well! 70mph isn't bad for Black Shadow! So, my experience with Accuspark so far has been a happy one...who knows about tomorrow!
David