Electronic ignition conversion for 1977 308 single distributor | FerrariChat
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Electronic ignition conversion for 1977 308 single distributor

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by TSP 11, Jun 19, 2008.

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  1. TSP 11

    TSP 11 Rookie

    Apr 11, 2008
    43
    Dorset,England
    Full Name:
    Thomas Stephen Pike
    #1 TSP 11, Jun 19, 2008
    Hello,
    I am thinking of converting my 308 to electronic ignition and have found a company, Jolley Engineering at Malvern,who state they will rebuild mine with their own magnetic as opposed to optical system with all workings hidden in distributor,the only giveaway being two wires emerging instead of one and no additional boxes or wiring to be seen.May I ask if anyone else has used this system and could recommend it?
    Thanks, Tom
     
  2. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    #2 parkerfe, Jun 19, 2008
    I believe TRutlands already has such conversions using Pertronix electronic ignitions
     
  3. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,856
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #3 FasterIsBetter, Jun 19, 2008
    I have not heard of that company (Jolley), but I have heard of several folks who installed Pertronix systems in the single distributor. I believe there was a thread a while back in the 308/328 forum about doing this. The Pertronix units are housed in the distributor as well, again with only the wires to the coils being different from stock. Pertronix uses a magnetic Hall-effect pickup. I have installed them in old Jaguars and they work great. I did the Electromotive full electronic system in my '78 308 and love it, but others have done the distributor retrofit and sounded like they worked well also. Try a forum search and you may find that thread.
     
  4. TSP 11

    TSP 11 Rookie

    Apr 11, 2008
    43
    Dorset,England
    Full Name:
    Thomas Stephen Pike
    #4 TSP 11, Jun 19, 2008
    Hello again and thanks for your replies, I haven't heard of these systems in the UK but will look for the threads you suggested,Best Wishes, Tom
     
  5. TSP 11

    TSP 11 Rookie

    Apr 11, 2008
    43
    Dorset,England
    Full Name:
    Thomas Stephen Pike
    #5 TSP 11, Jun 20, 2008
    Hello again, Just to let you know I have found out that the system I was looking for is the Pertronix as you mentioned and Jolley Engineering is a supplier not a manufacturer of this system, so thanks for your time and help.They have a company in England that supplies a system for my car so I'll be contacting them today and if anyone is interested in doing the same conversion I'll will only be too happy to pass on information and details.
    Thank you again, Tom.
     
  6. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,856
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #6 FasterIsBetter, Jun 20, 2008
    Tom,

    If you get the system installed, post some pictures so we can see what the installation looks like, i.e., the internals. Maybe you can take a few pictures of the process while they are doing the conversion.

    thanks,
    Steve
     
  7. TSP 11

    TSP 11 Rookie

    Apr 11, 2008
    43
    Dorset,England
    Full Name:
    Thomas Stephen Pike
    #7 TSP 11, Jun 29, 2008
    Hello Steve,
    I have only just seen your message to me so apologise for not replying sooner.Unfortunately I am unable to take photos at the moment but can explain fully the procedure to change the single distributor points system to the Pertronix electronic one.
    In all fairness,since I found out exactly what system I was actually looking for by the kindness of people answering my original query on Ferrarichat I have found there is already a lot of threads with photos from owners who have already done this conversion so it would be just repeating their experiences.
    Since my request I have actually bought the system from Mark who was one the members who replied and has been extremely helpful and I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking of doing this conversion, I am buying a system for my Son's 1971 Mini later this month as a result.
    If you decide to do this conversion,please do not hesitate in contacting me as I will only be too happy to pass my experiences on to you should you require them.
    There were only two things which were not quite clear as regards the instructions,they were:
    You will probably need a small puller to remove the bearing assembly from the top of the distributor as it does not just lift off to remove the points and install the Pertronix modules.
    To remove the lubricating pad you will need to remove the securing rivets,they are only aluminium but it is best to remove the bottom of the distributor to ensure no swarf gets into the mechanism or worst scenario, the drill goes through it!
    This is not meant as a criticsm, just so that you may be aware of a couple of hinderances in doing the job as a home mechanic.
    Kind regards, Tom
























    You may need a small puller to get the bearing assembly off the top of the distributor,it did not just lift off as stated.
     

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