Paul, the group are best situated to give answers to a friends
problem. He is restoring an old hand pushed sycle  mower powered by a
good old villiers engine.  The ignition is however cactus and no
parts available.   Apparently the museum is not as "pure" as others
and is willing to have an alternative ignition system fitted.  I am
assuming that there is no spark advance in these engines??  What is a
simple alternative ignition for an old engine such as this?

Neil Unger

I think there are systems on the market that one can program spark
advance. Maybe MSD.

Just put "programmable spark advance" in Google.

Of course the Motec EFI can do that.

We don't need spark advance for the aircraft rotary as it runs over
5000 RPM the vast majority of time so I recommend setting  it 22
degrees BTDC and leaving it there. A lot of the racers do that as
they never get below 8000 RPM.

Any CD system will work with an old engine with no spark advance or
dwell time. Ordinary old fashion coils need dwell time which is
provided for with old points type distributors.

However the old coils will also work with CD systems.

Send me some pictures of the front of the engine if you have them.


Paul Lamar

There are electronic pickups on the market to eliminate  the old
points on old briggs engines They are positioned  on a point to use
the magnets  on the flywheel to amplify the signal for switching the
coil. Richie Barrow

Sounds like Hall effect. Not all engines have rotating magnets.

Paul Lamar


Richie,

                Bingo, I had forgotten the electronic ignition for the
old Briggs.  I suspect that they would get the old rubbish going for
little cost.  Thanks,

Neil Unger

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