In another post on this community, partially just trying to generate a conversation, i asked about adaptable coil-on-plug modules. A couple folks were helpful, but it’s still thin on the ground here, that’s cool, it’s all new, etc. Here it is: https://lemmy.world/post/1263808 (not much).
But I’m serious about designing and building a new ignition system for this ancient, forgotten engine that I’m kinda expert on by now (that expertise plus five bucks buys me coffee at starbucks). I’ve got two cars with this engine now, it’s just barely tenable to drive now, parts are extremely scarce (eg. timing chain setups).
Anyway this engine, the Rambler 195.6 cubic inch inline 6, has roots back to the 1940’s, AMC slapped a shitty OHV head on the old flathead version introduced a number of reliability problems, they solved those just as they introduced the fkn except 199/232/258 that lasted 40 years as the Jeep six and later Chrysler 4.0.
But my engine is the shitty predecessor, lol. It has its virtues. Mainly it’s a challenge and I drive one daily.
It’s got a once-conventional distributor, contact points and coil ignition. There’s a Pertronix in there now. It works fine, but I hate them – the distributor has to crank two rotations before it fires the coil, so the engine cranks for over a second each time, instead of firing right up on the first contact-point opening. I WANT THAT BACK.
So I’m gonna make new electronic guts for the distrib, drive some form of coil-on-plug, and do software spark control in the computer I’ve got already running the electronic carburetor.
ITT is chat about research, photos, etc. I’ll make a web page for the project like I usually do. My Rambler Lore website is https://www.ramblerlore.com/index.html
A specific project page often looks like these:
Hot-rod drum brakes: https://www.ramblerlore.com/AMC/Drum-brake-hotrod/index.html
Here’s a page on this engine that you want nothing to do with. BTW it’s 3.2 liters, revs to 4000! rpm! weighs 600 lbs, lol. But it makes 180 ft/lbs, 250 n/m, of torque at 1800 rpm! lol
OK I rummaged around in search engine and RockAuto.com and found some cheap, common Toyota coil on plug modules for which I can get connectors too. And bought one. The issue is (see photos) this is an old pushrod OHV motor, cam in block, and all COPs are designed to fit down through the valve cover etc. So it dangles. This is a really small car, and even if I make brackets to support them, it’s bust. I’m not relocating the battery (umm low center of gravity was not ever considered…) so this scheme won’t work.
I think coil-near-plug as a smart Volvo fan suggested is the next thing to look at; I’d ordered this part before that post. I’ll post on that when I find one to examine.
In the mean time here are photos of failure, lol. Projects like this are failure every step of the way through success.
Plug side of the motor. It’s a very small car, same wheelbase as a Yaris (within 5mm). Tiny engine compartment especially for 1960.
COP on plug #2. Immediately obvious to me not gonna work. Simply too tall. Cyls 1, 2, 3 maybe, but 4, 5, 6 are under the battery and I’m not moving that (again). Too cluttery.
Lifted by hand to in-line with the plug.
Here’s the module itself. Lovely thing! Coil and MOSFET driver right in the sealed unit. I lurv this new shit.
