Helmet style distributor 85 to 60hp

[ULLRICH]

Will the helmet style aluminum case from a 85 hp fit the v8 60?

[Kurt in NJ]

They are the same, case and internally, but I found that a coil that works "ok" on an 85 may not be good enough for a 60 to get full power and rpm

[Jembow]

The 60 needs to rev more, I couldn't get my helmet unit running properly at high rpm so went to the new crab style electronic unit.

[Kurt in NJ]

I had no problem with rpm, with a good coil it would go it's 74mph top speed all day except in the hills, then it was up to 50 in second ----

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Someone explain the rpm difference in a 60 and a 85 ???

[cas3]

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well, thats easy, the 60 goes in smaller circles than the 85, dont ya know nothin?

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by cas3

well, thats easy, the 60 goes in smaller circles than the 85, dont ya know nothin?

A fair indication of the company they keep?

[Jembow]

If you look at the power curves on the Van Pelt site you'll see the 85 curve drop off at 3800, while the 60 is still going up at 4000. V8-60 midgets would pull up to 7500. It's a motor that wants to rev.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Jembow

If you look at the power curves on the Van Pelt site you'll see the 85 curve drop off at 3800, while the 60 is still going up at 4000. V8-60 midgets would pull up to 7500. It's a motor that wants to rev.

Thats kinda why i asked, it would take a very very very special helmet distributor to run anywhere close to 7500 rpm.

And that was the discussion regarding a helmet distributor for a 60. There is no difference in a 60 helmet from the other helmets........same point set and same cam advance etc......

[Jembow]

Those 7500rpm motors we're obviously running hot cams, hi-comp heads etc, I don't know what they did for ignition. Kurt said he ran 74mph, that has to be around 4000rpm as he was probably running a 4.55 rear end.

[Jack E/NJ]

Bubba>>it would take a very very very special helmet distributor to run anywhere close to 7500 rpm.>>>


Why is that? I guessed that, by using stronger springs here--there-- in-between, it should be good to go with a decent coil. Jack E/NJ

[Yoyodyne]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

They are the same, case and internally, but I found that a coil that works "ok" on an 85 may not be good enough for a 60 to get full power and rpm

What advance curve did they use?

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Its not impossible to make a helmet run more rpm , especially the later version model 68s or 11 A , The advance curve was quick and topped out at 22 degrees etc. The use of individual contacts helped a lot. With a small cam and seperate contacts we can get them up and over the 5000 rpm mark and with some special work maybe above 6000 etc.
However thats why Kong , Harmon Collins etc made up the dual coil units . A harmon Collins dual coil will pull 7000 plus all day long..

[Gary in La.]

Most but not all midgets with v8-60's ran magneto's including some with dual mags. (Barker V twin is a good example)

[ULLRICH]

Thanks all for chiming in, I have been using the stock helmet from the 60 on the 60hp, was curious if I was going to get more out of an 85 on my 37 sprint racer. Bubba I switched over to an external 12 volt coil and condenser ( Napa 176 )unit per your recommendation and ran last year at Road America.....OK but looking for more. I rebuilt the motor (tin side)this winter and will run in June Historic class VSCDA at Blackhawk farms. 40. over and fresh pistons bearings valves and crank grind....no cam changes. After all its just for fun ...right?