Need info: What is avail for making distributor electronic = remove points

[911 tweaks]

I am seeking any & all info on what r the options to upgrade a stock oe distributor from a 1973 911 by removing the points and keeping the remains the same...= I wish to have the distributor look like a factory dizzy, BUT, be electronic = not have to deal with constant point/dwell adjustment...
I am familuar with the Pertronix part and had satisfactory luck using it in the past...
I am also familuar with using a newly mfgrd dizzy from JB Racing, but, in this case, I believe it will come with its dizzy cap embllasioned with "JB RACING", which would not look oe & not work in my case here...
So, my question is, r there any other alternatives out there as my current dist is worn out = mainshaft has wobble & I am sick & tired of adjusting points every few months & then having to re set engine timing...
Thx in advance for any & all input on what if any other choices I may have...thx, Bob

[Gordo2]

I used the Crane XR700 on an old Toyota Landcruiser I used to have; should work on a 911:

Crane Cams | Convert points-style distributor to digital. Electronic conversion

Very easy to install and worked flawlessly for ~ 10 years (probably longer, but I sold the FJ).


Also - you can rebush your dizzy for about $125.

83 SC Ignition Distributor Bushing Replacement

Good luck,

Gordo

[911 tweaks]

thx gordo...nice write up on your project...i posted there to ask for help too...maybe i will rebuild this dizzy but then again i am still seeking what electronics to use to replace the points...hummm

[304065]

The "Official" USA Site for 123Ignition Perfect Timing Every Time

[mskala]

Pertronix is pretty much hidden so should look stock. Crane 'whole system' involves using their box in place of Bosch CDI, which wouldn't look stock. If you need to use
the Crane optical trigger and try to look stock, see my thread of how to interface
the Crane trigger only and keep the Bosch CDI.

How I use Crane Optical Trig with Bosch CDI (3-pin)

[911 tweaks]

thx 304065... i hope they make a 6 cyl version...i left a message...now to await their call back... do you have any personal experience with their dizzys or someone you know and can comment...? thx bob

[911 tweaks]

mskala sent u a pm

[304065]

I haven't used theirs-- regardless of how they time the spark, you still have to move the rotor to the right position under the terminal on the cap, which means a mechanical advance mechanism is still required. Don't worry, the factory had this problem right through the end of the 993.

I think you were on the right track with the Pertronix Igniter II-- high-amp current switching and a hall-effect trigger built into the same unit, you can use a modern low-resistance coil for good charging at high rpm, active dwell control, and fits under the cap.

If your Bosch diz is having wobble issues, send it to Barry Hershon or Ed Fall and have them make it perfect. . .far better alternative than buying something new.

[911 tweaks]

ty...any contact info to reach ed fall...google does not bring him up...

[911 tweaks]

also...i am told that the following distributors will work in this car which is a 1973.5 911 T w/ cis...
dizzy #'s: 0 231 169- 003; -004; -008; -009 and dizzy #'s:0 231 184- 002; -004.
how can soo many different dizzys work in the car...? maybe they all should have their curves re set to what the correct orriginal dizzy # 0 231 169- 003...?
Is there a book I can buy that has all bosch parts on porsche cars and their p/n's and porsche p/n's and possibly other makes of cars identical parts that are interchangeable as i sometimes read how this person used this audi part or that vw part on their porsche and it was 1/2 the $$ and worked fine...thx, bob

[mreid]

Pertronics is your best solutions for replacing points. If your distributor in general is the problem, you can have it rebuilt.

[moneymanager]

Vintage Werks Homepage is Ed Fall. Does very nice work at 1/2 the price of some others also highly regarded and mentioned here.
Rebuild it and put in a Pertronix. I had a Crane for 15 years. It ran well, but initial setup was a huge hassle with lots of experimentation to redesign the mounts and make the tach work. Others have found it easy. And customer support is flaky at best.

[911 tweaks]

ty moneymanager...i'll give ed a call and see what he has to say about what I am trying to achieve...

[E Sully]

Originally Posted by 911 tweaks

also...i am told that the following distributors will work in this car which is a 1973.5 911 T w/ cis...
dizzy #'s: 0 231 169- 003; -004; -008; -009 and dizzy #'s:0 231 184- 002; -004.
how can soo many different dizzys work in the car...? maybe they all should have their curves re set to what the correct original dizzy # 0 231 169- 003...?

The 0 231 169 008 was the distributor original to the 73.5 cis. From all my reading, they have similar advance curves, the difference is the rotor cut out rpm. You can use any of those distributors in your car. The only one that you cannot use is the 0 231 184 004. That is the 2.7 Carrera distributor, and it has an advance curve that is too radical for the T model.
I have used the 0 231 184 007 when my original wore out for a few years till I found a good original 0 231 169 008 to change it out with.
The 0 231 184 00x is a better design than the 169's, so get one from somebody parting out a 2.7 if you don't care about originality.
Distributor Maintenance

[911 tweaks]

thx esully...not to soundlike i am second guessing you, but, i was told by 2 rebuild shops...names withheld, that the correct dist was 0 231 169 003... you are saying it is 169 008...
again not to sound like a wise guy, but are you sure the correct dist is a 008...?
also, where can i get the info on all of these distributors so i can see how close these all are and the interchangeablity among them all...??
I was also told that a "SC" dist would work fine but since it is a bit wider in diameter, it would require a bit of sheet metal re forming...
I am begining to experience why many folks say if it works you are gtg...like spark plugs...if it fires up it works...WRONG in my book...!!
Thus, my asking where i can get data on advance curves of all of the dizzys i was told would work to see just how close they all are to the correct dizzy...
Maybe I need to order a new dizzy from porsche and see what bosch p/n it has on it when it arrives...
ESully...can you help me out with the differences btwn ALL of the different p/n's i was given that would be fine in my application...? maybe by what engine ea dizzy was originally used in if you know...?
thx, bob

[E Sully]

When they switched to the CIS on the T's midway through the production year, they used the 008 distributor.
SC distributor would take some work, they spin the opposite way.
Information I have is from a lot of searching on the different forums. Heres a quick one.
'73 911E distributor part number? Bosch vs Porsche

[911 tweaks]

thx ed...do you have more info on the dizzy's ie bosch p/n & porsche p/n by chance...? i.e. from 1965 to as far fwd as possible (1980's/SC's) as i am trying to see what i can cobble together if i have to go that way...thx for your help...bob

[E Sully]

You have an ad already for a specific 0 231 169 003. Your best bet is to place a more general WTB ad in the Parts Forum for a good used 2.4 or 2.7 disributor from '72-'77. A fair price for one would be under $250 in good shape. I have bought 2 distributors for $150 and 175. Just about any 0 231 169 00x or 0231 184 00x distributor will work, except for the 2.7 Carrera distributor, which would be expensive and have the wrong advance curve. Forget the SC distributors, it would be too much to adapt it. It would involve changing the engines internal gear on the engine to work with the direction of rotation, and other modifications.

[911 tweaks]

thx ed...you have posted on many of my questions asked here on pelican & I appreciate your help & info...bob