Electronic ignition

Your standard R4 ignition system relies on a coil, a set of make and break contact points and a condenser, all within an electro mechanical distributor. This has hardly changed at all since the early 1930’s. The points will last around 6000 miles in normal use and performance and starting will decline rapidly as mileage increases, due to the fact that the fibre heel will wear and allow the gap to close up, and also the act of sparking will cause metal to be deposited from one contact to the next creating a ‘pip and crater’ which makes it impossible to gap. Modern cars have little of this, regulating the spark electronically via a coil pack to each plug and an electronic module that tells the engine which cylinder needs the spark and when.

One way to move on from the older system is via an aftermarket electronic ignition.

There are two kinds:

The simplest version retains points but uses an electronic module that regulates the pulse and the spark at the points, and provides a more constant performance. Points can last for up to 50k and starting and running are markedly improved, with some benefits to fuel consumption, albeit not as spectacular as some manufacturers have claimed.

The main advantages are: The more advanced systems use the same technology but substitute an electronic trigger for the points. The points are banished. All the advantages are present but the system never needs resetting and timing can be set extremely accurately, which is a boon in performance engines. . Systems can be bought which simply fit into an existing distributor, or bespoke distributors can be supplied. Naturally prices are higher and in the event of failure, there is no easy way of restoring life at the roadside.
 * Increased reliability and less wear and tear on components.
 * Better starting and running.
 * Relatively low cost, probably around £35.00 (eg: Boyer Bransden)
 * In the event of a failure of the module, the whole system can be quickly set back to its original settings at the roadside by moving a few wires around.

Advantages are therefore: Drawbacks: The first kind represents good value for money, overcomes many of the faults of traditional ignition and is probably more than adequate for the sort of ‘cooking ‘ engine enjoyed by a Quatrelle. If you upgrade to a Gordini, it may be worth considering the more advanced kind.
 * Reliability, etc. as before
 * Extremely accurate setting up of ignition is possible and once fixed timing stays spot on indefinitely.
 * You are more likely to get some performance and economy uplift.
 * More expensive (Aldon ignitor around £80.00)
 * Failures not unknown and require replacement of unit as only option.