The Ford Barn

1929 · 08-08-2016, 09:50 PM

Does the distributor housing get very hot on your unit?

tbirdtbird · 08-08-2016, 10:17 PM

it gets hot enough, as does a stock dizzy.....head temp will be prolly 180 or more, and exhaust is close by

DougVieyra · 08-08-2016, 10:23 PM

As a side note; The FS ignition requires a special coil (much more $$$). I love my FS ignition on my '31 Dlx Coupe, but confess, I do not do any touching of the distributor so can not attest to it's heat factor. As it sits on top of the engine, I suspect it gets hot enough to be called 'hot'. How much that heat effects the functional operation of the Electronic Ignition I do not know.

tbirdtbird · 08-08-2016, 10:40 PM

"The FS ignition requires a special coil"

not that I am aware. Mine is not 'special' and it works just fine

I have to wonder what is going on that has triggered the OP to pose the question to begin with.......ie the back story

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-08-2016, 11:36 PM

Fs sends a .6 ohm coil. The standard model a is 1.3 or 1.4 ohm. Bubba from the V8 site (spark gru) doesn't like the lower ohm coil, because it puts to much stress on the system.I've got 31,000 on the original fs .6 ohm coil, and it's been over heated overnite when new, and a month ago it was on for a week and ran the battery down. Have put another 1000 miles since then. Fingers crossed.

CYB4 · 08-09-2016, 12:32 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have one without any problems. Never touched it for temperatures. Just get a coil for electronic ignitions, I got one from Bosch.

Best regards

Chris

1929 · 08-09-2016, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

As a side note; The FS ignition requires a special coil (much more $$$). I love my FS ignition on my '31 Dlx Coupe, but confess, I do not do any touching of the distributor so can not attest to it's heat factor. As it sits on top of the engine, I suspect it gets hot enough to be called 'hot'. How much that heat effects the functional operation of the Electronic Ignition I do not know.

I have the special coil, just curious if its normal for the distributor to get as hot as the head.

CT Jack · 08-09-2016, 06:48 AM

1929, You need to explain what you think is a hot distributor problem. First of all solid state ignition systems do not generate heat. The module inside your distributor is nothing more than magnetic switch without any moving parts (no heat). You need to look elsewhere for your high heat problem. Have you oiled the distributor shaft bearing lately?

C26Pinelake · 08-09-2016, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT Jack

1929, You need to explain what you think is a hot distributor problem. First of all solid state ignition systems do not generate heat. The module inside your distributor is nothing more than magnetic switch without any moving parts (no heat). You need to look elsewhere for your high heat problem. Have you oiled the distributor shaft bearing lately?

Great response! Wayne

jerry shook · 08-09-2016, 07:47 AM

I have the fs on my 31. what spark plug is needed, and what does the gap need to be.

V4F · 08-09-2016, 09:58 AM

I'm using the new E plug with good success .

Jordan · 08-09-2016, 10:08 AM

We have FS Ignitions on all 3 cars and love all 3 of them. If they are installed correctly, you will never regret it!

1929 · 08-09-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry shook

I have the fs on my 31. what spark plug is needed, and what does the gap need to be.

I switched over to modern plugs, I was using the Champion W18 with a 35 cap before the switch to the modern plugs.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-09-2016, 10:43 AM

I've always used the 3X . What ive noticed is they're only good for about 10,000 miles as the hot spark eats the electrode. Ive also had spark running down the outside of the plug. Could hear an erratic miss at idle, looked at it in the dark, and saw the "leak".

barkleydave · 08-09-2016, 12:45 PM

Running one for years.. No problems same setup but not fancy coil.

Have a relation has had the same FS unit in his slant for 18 years not one fault.

CYB4 · 08-09-2016, 02:50 PM

Fs-Ignition recomments in their instructions a 1.3 to 1.5 Ohm coil at 6V Electronic Ignition Systems and 3.0 to 3.5 Ohm at 12 Volt systems. If the Ohms are not correct, you might get a hot distributor or you can destroy the ignition, as I know from my Harley-Davidson.

They also provide coils, which fit to the ignition.

harleynut · 08-09-2016, 04:53 PM

Call F S, there nice people they would be happy to answer any questions. I have them in two Models As with no problem.

CarlG · 08-09-2016, 04:56 PM

I'm new to the FS game. Have about 800 miles, so far so good!

Synchro909 · 08-09-2016, 06:04 PM

I've run a RS ignition system on a car for years. The first one I installed has done about 4 0,000 miles towing around the outback. Heavier loads on the engine mean higher cylinder pressures but it has performed well. I use TT10 plugs which I intend replacing before I go much further. They have done nearly 50,000 miles since I pit them in. The "special" coil that came with the kit failed recently and I replaced it with an ordinary one (Made in China) which is still going.
Mine has an automatic advance system that has worked well too. The only negative I can tell is that the small aluminium piece that replaces the cam was made wrong. The slot to locate the rotor button was cut in the wrong place so timing by the usual method is impossible. Almost everybody who fitted one over here at that time had the same problem.

Herb Concord Ca · 08-09-2016, 07:00 PM

I've had mine in my roadster P/U for four years. The thing I noticed first is how easy the motor starts.
Like Doug I never checked the dist temp. I'm also using the same coil when it had points.

08-08-2016, 09:50 PM	#1
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	FS Ignition, who has one? Does the distributor housing get very hot on your unit?

08-08-2016, 10:17 PM	#2
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? it gets hot enough, as does a stock dizzy.....head temp will be prolly 180 or more, and exhaust is close by __________________ '31 180A

08-08-2016, 10:23 PM	#3
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? As a side note; The FS ignition requires a special coil (much more $$$). I love my FS ignition on my '31 Dlx Coupe, but confess, I do not do any touching of the distributor so can not attest to it's heat factor. As it sits on top of the engine, I suspect it gets hot enough to be called 'hot'. How much that heat effects the functional operation of the Electronic Ignition I do not know.

08-08-2016, 10:40 PM	#4
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? "The FS ignition requires a special coil" not that I am aware. Mine is not 'special' and it works just fine I have to wonder what is going on that has triggered the OP to pose the question to begin with.......ie the back story __________________ '31 180A

08-08-2016, 11:36 PM	#5
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? Fs sends a .6 ohm coil. The standard model a is 1.3 or 1.4 ohm. Bubba from the V8 site (spark gru) doesn't like the lower ohm coil, because it puts to much stress on the system.I've got 31,000 on the original fs .6 ohm coil, and it's been over heated overnite when new, and a month ago it was on for a week and ran the battery down. Have put another 1000 miles since then. Fingers crossed.

08-09-2016, 12:32 AM	#6
CYB4 Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ostallgäu, Bavaria, Germany Posts: 54	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have one without any problems. Never touched it for temperatures. Just get a coil for electronic ignitions, I got one from Bosch. Best regards Chris __________________ Best regards Chris 1930 Ford A Std. Tudor

08-09-2016, 06:48 AM	#8
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? 1929, You need to explain what you think is a hot distributor problem. First of all solid state ignition systems do not generate heat. The module inside your distributor is nothing more than magnetic switch without any moving parts (no heat). You need to look elsewhere for your high heat problem. Have you oiled the distributor shaft bearing lately?

08-09-2016, 07:47 AM	#10
jerry shook Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 516	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? I have the fs on my 31. what spark plug is needed, and what does the gap need to be.

08-09-2016, 09:58 AM	#11
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? I'm using the new E plug with good success . __________________ V4f

08-09-2016, 10:08 AM	#12
Jordan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 1,006	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? We have FS Ignitions on all 3 cars and love all 3 of them. If they are installed correctly, you will never regret it! __________________ Cowtown A's

08-09-2016, 10:43 AM	#14
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? I've always used the 3X . What ive noticed is they're only good for about 10,000 miles as the hot spark eats the electrode. Ive also had spark running down the outside of the plug. Could hear an erratic miss at idle, looked at it in the dark, and saw the "leak".

08-09-2016, 12:45 PM	#15
barkleydave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 502	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? Running one for years.. No problems same setup but not fancy coil. Have a relation has had the same FS unit in his slant for 18 years not one fault.

08-09-2016, 02:50 PM	#16
CYB4 Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ostallgäu, Bavaria, Germany Posts: 54	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? Fs-Ignition recomments in their instructions a 1.3 to 1.5 Ohm coil at 6V Electronic Ignition Systems and 3.0 to 3.5 Ohm at 12 Volt systems. If the Ohms are not correct, you might get a hot distributor or you can destroy the ignition, as I know from my Harley-Davidson. They also provide coils, which fit to the ignition. __________________ Best regards Chris 1930 Ford A Std. Tudor Last edited by CYB4; 08-09-2016 at 03:04 PM.

08-09-2016, 04:53 PM	#17
harleynut Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 279	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? Call F S, there nice people they would be happy to answer any questions. I have them in two Models As with no problem.

08-09-2016, 04:56 PM	#18
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? I'm new to the FS game. Have about 800 miles, so far so good! __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

08-09-2016, 06:04 PM	#19
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? I've run a RS ignition system on a car for years. The first one I installed has done about 4 0,000 miles towing around the outback. Heavier loads on the engine mean higher cylinder pressures but it has performed well. I use TT10 plugs which I intend replacing before I go much further. They have done nearly 50,000 miles since I pit them in. The "special" coil that came with the kit failed recently and I replaced it with an ordinary one (Made in China) which is still going. Mine has an automatic advance system that has worked well too. The only negative I can tell is that the small aluminium piece that replaces the cam was made wrong. The slot to locate the rotor button was cut in the wrong place so timing by the usual method is impossible. Almost everybody who fitted one over here at that time had the same problem. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

08-09-2016, 07:00 PM	#20
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 635	Re: FS Ignition, who has one? I've had mine in my roadster P/U for four years. The thing I noticed first is how easy the motor starts. Like Doug I never checked the dist temp. I'm also using the same coil when it had points.