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

Here you go.....https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/part/universal/440465?gclid=eaiaiqobchminjk6u4fj1givrbjach0x8wpseaqyaiabeglxk_d_bwe

Lynn E. Hanover



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