Rick,
This is the EXACT system I am running with and have been for 5 years on my
'74, I have had NO problems with any part of the set up. I did a little
testing and found that I could use a larger plug gap and get a little more
go power from her, I believe I have them set at 0.035.
I think you will really enjoy the reliability, though I keep the point set
up in the boot just in case...
Have fun
N.A. Campiglia III
'67 Spitfire MKIII
'74 Spitfire 1500
http://camalott.com/~spitdrvr
----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Gregory <rick_gregory@yahoo.com>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 29, 1999 9:58 PM
Subject: Conversion to Crane Cams XR700
>
> Hi all,
> I just converted my Lucas '74 1500 contact/points
> style distributor over to the Crane XR700 electronic
> ignition system. I also installed the Crane Cams
> Chrome street coil along with the system. I'd be
> interested in hearing from others who use this system.
> Did you have any troubles converting? Are you pleased
> with the performance, etc.
>
> My system seems to work but a couple of notes:
>
> 1. I still have what feels like an occassional
> electrical "miss" .. I'm not loosing a cylinder, just
> a little "hiccup" every once in a while. It does not
> represent a significant loss of power (at least not
> yet). I have a new rotor and cap, and have ordered new
> Bosch Platinum plugs & silicon wires from Vicky Brit.
> They should be in by mid-next week.
>
> 2. When I first hooked up the XR700, I tested each
> cylinder with an open-grounded test spark plug. This
> plug has a much larger gap than normal. Every cylinder
> fired except #2. After investigating, I discovered the
> mounting bracket for the XR700's pickup unit is in
> close proximity to the rotor near the #2 cylinder's
> firing position. I think the ignition might have been
> shorting to the bracket because the large plug gap
> (and resistance ignition wire) made the "course of
> least resistance" from the rotor to the bracket
> instead of through the plug. When I hooked the system
> to the regular spark plugs, I tested cylinder #2 with
> a timing light and it was firing normally. To play it
> safe, I bought corona high voltage "ARC" TV dope from
> a local electronics store and coated the top of the
> bracket with many layers of dope. The bottle said it
> repels 10,000 volts per .01" of thickness.
>
> Thanks for any ideas/comments.
> --Rick
>
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