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Is there such a thing as a quick overview on this system, regarding reliability, performance, durability etc ?? Also, can the amplifier be bench tested before I attempt my intial startup to break in the cam? The guts of the amplifier look "okay", but the housing looks like it has been on the bottom of the ocean for a few decades. Should I be as worried as I think I am?
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
the orignals were not too durable as i had them in new 64,65 and 66 corvettes. and i repaired lots of them for customers. i would get the "new and improved" guts installed in your "black box" to be on the safe side. make sure where the ground wire goes to the outsde of the the "black box" there is no paint that would cause a bad ground. since the 3 bolts that hold the box to the car go thru fiberglass which can work loose with time i always used longer bolts,with nuts on the back side of the box,and then put this thru the fiber glass and installed locking nuts on the back side of the fiberglass panel. this way if the fiber glass wears the ground wire will still be tight because of the nuts on the back side of the box. i can test it for you if you want to send it to me. i am not looking for work as i am retired but i stll have my "black box" tester. -
Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
Clem,
The numbers on the distributor (1111475 Delco Remy 8A1) indicate that this is second generation TI, if that is of any help toward the reliability/durability issue. Before the rebuild, I had no problems with the engine firing up right away, if that can be any indication. Your description of how you mounted your boxes is very similar to how mine was mounted, complete with lock washers. It's just that everything under this car was so corroded due to sitting in the Florida weeds for a few years. This box is about the only thing left in that condition. Your offer to test the box for me is very generous. I am tempted to take you up on it if it would be no imposition, but first will try to find someone in the Cincinnati area that can do this. Thanks so much.
DaveComment
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
You can bench test the TI system as follows.
Layout the coil, amp, and distributor on a bench and make all the harness connections. Check all connectors before connecting to be sure they don't have bent pins or corrosion. Install the coil center wire and connect a spark plug to the other end. Use a test lead to connect the spark plug ground electrode or shell to a TI system ground to establish continuity for the high voltage circuit, and be sure the negative coil terminal is grounded. Use an ohmeter to be sure you have all the proper grounds IAW the service manual schematic. Now establish a ground connection to a 12V power source, such as an automotive battery, and, last, connect the +12V power to the proper wire on the harness.
Spin the distributor gear in the normal direction of rotation with your fingers or use an electric drill. If your test setup (including necessary grounds) is okay and the system is functional you will observe a spark across the plug gap.
The same basic test setup can be used to test a point igntion, HEI, or any other ignition system.
DukeComment
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
Thanks Duke. You have made this very easy to understand. I'll set this up, and let you know how it came out. Please add another IOU to the stack.Comment
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Re: transistor ignition-- test procedures K66
Dave
I did the removed spark plug test and found weak spark orange-red not blue.
I found diagnostic procedures of the system on a web
search
..Transistor ignition..................... excellent reading.
Here somewhere I
Learned the one plug removal test should not be done on this system and will cause damage.
The Best.....info great...........and parts
The Diag tests were.......TI specialists...... website.........yep
test page..........
all K66 owners should save this Info for future use.
this--> 1966-71 diagnosis
This test for older corvettes and ground quality for grounded items
like tail lights and ignitions
K66
This car with a fresh engine loaded up ,and odd fired ,like too much cam and a sticky valve,owner wanted cam changed,specs on installed cam were mild plus it had weak spark said ignition to me.
Checking ground wires looked attached well everywhere.
I attached a GROUND TEST lead from the alternator brace and while the car is running touch-attach it to already grounded item.
1.The amp box test idle jumped right up from choppy 1000 to smooth 2200 rpm and climbing and after idle adjustment a major improvement in quality,
left test lead attached with allgator clip.
2 Then a second test lead to dist. improved idle 200 rpm,
This surprised me the most the first time I did this on a points car years ago.
I always thought with oil pump shaft ,cam gear plus housing contact ground was a sure thing.
I removed paint just under the end of clamp and top of dist. base after setting timing,when test lead makes no change or spark your done.
paint any bare metal after
Horn relay sparked lightly when touched but v-reg did not so I unwrapped harness forward of v-reg and felt for a soft of thin spot and after which I pulled apart having only a few strands of wire conducting just enought to start an run the car run poorly.
It is possible to have everything seem normal and do this test and get a slight spark adding a test ground to a part thats working fine,then you do not have a full ground,and room for improvement,tail lights many times brighten up when tested and/or blink faster.
I guessed this harness got pinched mayby wrestling a head or the intake or hanging alt. on it when engine was pulled for it recent rebuild,since it ran fine before less oil usage.Comment
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Re: transistor ignition-- test procedures K66
Thanks Frank. A lot of info to keep me busy on a rainy day. This is a big help. My education keeps expandingComment
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
Upon further inspection, the amplier case itself is corroded (literally missing)about 1/4" from the bottom along one long side, the mounting plate rusted to the box, and the guts appear only "okay" with some corrosion on a couple of connections. Given the cost of replacement, and the less than hardy endorsement of the system itself, I'm inclined to put it aside for future consideration and replace it with a good old fashioned points distributor with tach drive. Although I am striving for a quality restoration that should pass judging fairly well, the car has no tank sticker or original documentation to confirm it came with the K66 option to begin with. And it will be driven as often as the weather will allow.
So, if I do this, is there anything about the way the TI system is wired that I could screw up by replacing this as described? The harness seems fairly self-contained to support the system only, and that's how I interpret the wiring diagram.Comment
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
the weak part of the system is the black box amp. if you replace it with a newer improved version of the amp and you should be OK. the only other problem i ever saw with the TI system was the breaking of the wires to the distributor pickup coil cause by the movement of the vacuum advance.Comment
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
Good to know, Clem. Thanks. Given the price of a "correct" points distributor, the black box turns out to be the best economical solution. Gee, I only have to spend $300...again, and again, and again.....Wonder what the record for consecutive "$300 spent per week" is ?Comment
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
Welcome to the real world of old cars and restorations. They are sort of like the kid when I was growing up. He was about 18. Daddy, before his fifth bankrupcy, was pretty well heeled. Had a fantastic collection on Springfield Rolls Royces, Cords, and Dusey's. Kid had late 20's Pontiac sedan with a blown Chrysler 354" engine he ran on the drag strip. When the kid was out of town Daddy had the car lettered with his company name, and had "Little Mo" painted on the side. Said every time he saw his son he wanted a little mo money for the car.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: "68 transistor ignition questions
Yeah....you know you have "arrived" when you can call any one of 3 or 4 parts suppliers, and they say "Hey Dave - How's Mom and them?" Sort of reminds me of my favorite line from "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (You ruined my life!), a phrase originally coined by my ex-wife . I think of her when I look at my formerly crusted over silver shark...kinda brings a tear to my eyeComment
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Re: $300. a week club
Instead of the 200 mph club, we should start the $300 dollar a week club. Can you imagine the buying power if we could all pool our cash outays?
JonComment
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