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BDM
06-06-1999 20:44:08
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Super A -- 12 volt system? in reply to Larry, 06-06-1999 12:39:44
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Well now, lets not say things where not sure of. First off I have experienced it many times, having raced{bracket} cars and building many an engine, not to mention most of my work time has been as a tech{at GM now} You want to talk about experiencing both the common and strange, we can. Now most of the engines I build from to date are Chryslers, both BB and SB, have you ever seen the cap size on a Chrysler? Just a tad bit larger than whats on my Farmall SM, and it has 8 pickup points to boot, so what do you think? You mentioned induced voltage running across wires, those of us who race and work on cars/trucks call it "cross fire". It has rarly happend to me, and when it did it was due to worn or cheap parts. Right now my work vehicle is an 87 Dodge pickup, I put a 440 in it for pulling the tractor around and other work details, I have been running a 12 volt 50k coil in it without a ballast, and I have yet to see a problem{and thats 30k later since installed} using "quality" 7mm wires and a standard cheap Murrey's cap/rotor. There are differences in quality in the same given size wire, you get what you pay for. You can also make your own wires, or an old trick I remember was taking lengths of fuel hose and cutting them up there length and installing them on the wires, great if your really worried about cross fire. But I have yet to see. Hotrodding? That GM HEI system on my old 77 Pontiac Ventura with the 6cyl was no Hotrod, and that system can see spark voltage as high as 60k. My point being you call it hotrodding, I call it updating, hotrodding to me is using an Accel or MSD 80++k ignition system with high dwell time, which brings me to another point. The Gent asked if a step down resistore, or ballist was needed, yes if he is using the orignal 6v coil, or a 8-10v coil, and of course there are different ohm ballist out there so watch what is used, but you can also buy a 12v cheepy coil for the same money it cost for a lower voltage coil, or in my case $32 for the Accel standard round street 40-50k coil{depending}. The only area I see any concern on is point wear, and since these engines only turn an average of 1500 RPM, and dont see alot of use generaly{the user has to determine that on his/her own}that to me is not a major concern, as I have seen plenty of auto systems used to this day with points and super high energy systems. Plus you can upgrade your points to electronic ignition with a kit that I believe runs about $69, I bought one last year so I dont remember the exact cost. And you mentioned other tractors, I wouldn't know what there using nor am I concerned, as the tractor we where talking about is a Farmall, close to the one I own. The bottom line is, do you half to use a resistor, no depending on all the points made above. I mentioned a gent above who is using that system on his SM without any problems for years now, and it probably see's more use than alot of antique tractors. If you upgrade the tractors ign system with quality parts, why not, and if he is restoring it, why skimp on ign components? You mentioned the cost, well the Gent that posted never said anything about cost, and it wont bust most of the folks out here im sure. But again only the individual can make that determination so I simply answered the question at hand, Im sure he can decide if that is to expensive for himself. And my last point is there is no real right or wrong answer, if you want to rebuild your old system back to factory stock, it will work fine as they did before, but it can function better, adding the above is not to much of a good thing, it only makes it better. And this is not to make you angry either, but when was the last tractor show/pull you went to? You cant tell me Larry that you haven't seen these setups on tractors, I have seen plenty, including High buck MSD systems and the like, and 3 point hitches on the back so you know there using them for something other than pulling and showing. and when you do, ask those guys what kind of problems they had. The answers I have heard have been none. And for reliability, I would trade a points system for a electronic HEI system any day, ran for years trouble free. Heck I dont know how many newer cars I have seen with 80-100k and orignal plugs, not a good thing to do but still the plugs where worn, but still working, and of course fuel managment plays a good part in that also, but kills the idea of slightly higher voltages wear plugs to nubs quickly. I say that only because I have heard it said in the past. Take care and good luck with whatever it is you decide to do.
Brian
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