Dino 246 ignition

10 years of hard slog and my 246 gt is finished. After lots of research I opted for the Bosch coil conversion with luminition trigger (dinoplex.org) supposedly very reliable. Problem is it just keeps on blowing up ignition modules!
So far 6 !! Cheap aftermarket ones Bosch ones (made in USA and twain) can’t get German now.
The car has done 400 miles I just rolling roaded it with an original German made (secondhand) ignition module and it runs like a dream.
I have mounted the module on a massive heat sink with the correct heat paste stuff. Have also done the following.
Tried a different coil. (Correct type)
New plugs leads cap rotor arm optical trigger. So now all changed twice.I also ran the ignition feed via a relay straight from the battery in case of intermittent voltage spikes.
I am thinking voltage spike from alternator ?? Going to feed the module from a device that stabilises 12v and is supposed to kill spikes. All electronic wiz kids please help !!! Correct 12v coil 0221122334 and module 0227100137 fitted. Re-built alternator and electronic regulator fitted. Current (excuse the pun) secondhand Bosch German made module works well except for the taco which only works above 3000rpm and this is a new fault so must be that module!
THANKS FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS!! Gary

 

For current spike, even if I am still runing on the original dinoplex, I do follow MSD recommendation and add a cap before the ignition module. Their own capacitor reference is 8830MSD (I am using a slightly larger one). In order to play it safe I also added a large ferrite.

If you are using the stock starter, maybe that a diode across the starter solenoid would reduce backEMF current.

As far as the cheap modules are concerned, why don't you buy an MSD, or Pertronix module? If you do have the budget you may also consider a J&S safeguard? This one does also perform antiknock and adds vacuum advance.

Forgot to say: never jump-start our old cars, the system are not shielded against such voltage spike.

 

reach out to alhbln on the 246 forum. Adrian Le Hanne

There are lots of posts on this subject in the 206/246 forum, just use the search function.

Tony

 

Why try to salvage a Dinoplex? Look at Pertronix MR-161A Ignitor Marelli S125 6 Cyl Distributor for Ferrari Dino 1966-74, or go to a conventional distributor setup. Vintage Ferarris have used a conventional ignition system up to 7000 RPMs for years without problems. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best.

 

They do not salvage dinoplex, instead they remove the guts from the dinoplex enclosure and install a bosh ignition module. One could also install whatever ignition module is small enough to fit inside the original Dinpolex enclosure.

As far as the distributor is concerned, I personally don't like the idea to butcher a Magneti Marelli distributor, so I'd rather leave the distributor untouched and use an ignition module that takes care of whatever signal produces distributor (reluctor or points). For this reason I would install a Pertronix HP Digital which is a better solution than the MR-16A or the Bosch module.

Summit racing does sell the SUM-850610 (a rebadged MSD streetfire) unit that does have a nicer aluminium enclosure. So if you do not want to mess with the original dinoplex enclosure and do not want to have the lurid look of the MSD modules, the SummitRacing module can be a solution. These units do not like dirty voltage supply, so a capacitor is recommended.

SummitModule : ~$160
Pertronix : ~$237
J&S Vanguard : ~$600

 

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/rebuilding-a-dinoplex-aec103a.276251/page-5

best thread on the subject, well worth a read

All reversible too!

 

Sorry I did not notice, the distributor was already upgraded with a Lumenition optical pickup. So this is not a magnetic reluctor, and my above mentioned recommendation do not fully apply.

MSD used to provide MSD6 modules compatible with this type of Pickup, you had to call the support service in order to have a module customized specifically (https://forums.holley.com/showthread.php?25927-Msd-lumenition) .

Looks like a good plug and play solution, and unlike the Bosch copycats, this will be covered by a proper guarantee.

 

Alright, we will take a look at the Petronix when we start working on the 246. Final mods and parts from 4Wheelonline are getting installed on the truck this week and then we can clear the garage for the car. Will address the ignition first.

 

If you use an MSD6AL2 instead of an MSD6A, you do have the option for a Lumenition optical pickup. Because the 6AL2 has a white/blue wire for Hall effect trigger (which is the same as optical trigger).

Having said that, an MSD magnetic pickup is more of less plug and play in a Marelli S125 distributor housing, and that can be used with every MSD ignition. No need to butcher anything to get that pickup in there.