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did I mess it up?
thepest - 21/3/08 at 07:24 PM

Hey Guys, this is about coil and points.
I have a 1300x-flow which I got running on webber 40's. I could not use the stock distributor so I found a shorter one with an angled cap that just clears the webbers. I serviced the distributor and found I needed to use mini points and condenser (checking with the old parts from this dizzy)

I originally got it working on the standard coil but after a short while it started running horribly. I changed the coil to a mini type one (no balast resitor in it) and it worked fine again.
To remove the dizzy cap I'd need to remove the inlet since its a tight fit so..
How badly did I mess up the points or condenser? Is this one of the jobs where I should change the points again asap or could I leave it be?

stevec - 21/3/08 at 07:32 PM

It may have burnt the surfaces of the contact breakers, may be have a look at them and see.
Steve.

rusty nuts - 21/3/08 at 07:54 PM

Sounds like the original coil may have been a ballast resistor type running without a resistor? Had a similar problem on a mini years ago , would go through condensors in no time. Fit new points and condensor .

thepest - 21/3/08 at 08:02 PM

yeah in fact that was the case, original coil had a bast resistor and the short dizzy was supposed to run on one without the balast. ok new points and condenser it is, thanks guys.

britishtrident - 21/3/08 at 08:56 PM

Minis don't use a ballast resssitor in the UK market.
Fit new points and correct coil --- points gap is 0.016"

Lotus engine was a similar setup normal way to do the job was to remove the distributor -- fit points (check gap on each lobe). Put a tiny smear of greae on the heal of points to prevent wear.

britishtrident - 21/3/08 at 08:58 PM

A new condensor should not required but make sure it is tight on the base plate and the insulator top hat is correctly fitted.

rusty nuts - 22/3/08 at 09:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Minis don't use a ballast resssitor in the UK market.
Fit new points and correct coil --- points gap is 0.016"

Lotus engine was a similar setup normal way to do the job was to remove the distributor -- fit points (check gap on each lobe). Put a tiny smear of greae on the heal of points to prevent wear.



I had to replace the original coil because it was tracking out , the only one I had to hand was a ballast resistor type as I later found out (no markings). The problems with condensor started a few hundred miles after fitting the coil. The engine ran much better when the coil was originally fitted due to the stronger spark. So in answer to your original quote , no, Minis were not fitted with a ballast resistor coil.Hope this clears up any misunderstanding. And YES you will need to fit a new condensor!

thepest - 22/3/08 at 01:29 PM

thanks guys I bought the new condensor and points already, will fit next monday.