) Has anyone converted an early Pinto (mine is '73 2.0l) to electronic ignition? Any advice on brands, etc.? LOOK AT USING A PERTRONIX KIT TO GET RID OF THE POINTS. A MALLORY UNILITE DITRIBUTOR IS ANOTHER WAY, BUT EXPENSIVE. (I HAVE THAT IN MY 73 1600)
2) Has anyone replaced valves to accommodate unleaded fuel? Any advice? JUST DRIVE IT AND DON'T WORRY. IF A VALVE STARTS TO GO YOU CAN INSTALL THE HARDENED VALVE SEATS AT THAT TIME. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IS ADJUST THE VALVES AND CHECK COMPRESSION EACH TIME YOU CHANGE THE PLUGS. IF YOU SEE A COMPRESSION LOSS, THEN DO IT AT THAT TIME. I HAVE PUT OVER 100,000 MILES ON PRE-UNLEADED GAS ENGINES RUNNING UNLEADED.
DO NOT USE LEAD SUBSTITUTE ADDITIVE. IT LEAVES DEPOSITS AND PROMOTES SPARK KNOCKING.
IF YOUR TIMING IS IN RETARD IT WILL BURN THE VALVES. SO MAKE SURE YOUR TIMING IS CORRECT OR SLIGHTLY ADVANCED.
3) I've been told that once you put in electronic ignition, you can advance the timing a bit to get more power. Is this true, and if so, how much can I advance the timing. My wonderful Squire is very slow (big surprise...hea vy car, 70's auto, 80HP!).YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADVANCE YOUR TIMING WITH OR WITHOUT ELECTRONIC IGNITION TO GET BENEFITS. THE TRICK IS NOT TO HAVE SPARK KNOCKING.
FIRST PULL YOUR DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR. ADD 4 DROPS OF OIL TO THE FELT THAT SHOULD BE THERE. IF NO FELT, ADD THE DROPS ANYWAY. THIS LUBRICATES YOUR MECHANICAL ADVANCE.
KEEP ADVANCING YOUR TIMING SETTING A LITTLE AT A TIME UNTIL YOU HEAR SPARK KNOCKING WHEN THE MOTOR IS WARM AND YOU APPLY A LOAD. THINGS LIKE GOING UP A HILL OR ACCELERATING. NEXT, USE A HIGHER OCTANE FUEL TO ELIMINATE THE SPARK KNOCKING. IF YOU WERE USING 87, USE 89. IF YOU USING 89, USE 93. YOU GET THE IDEA. USE BRAND NAME FUELS ONLY. THAT SHOULD BOOST YOUR POWER. YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY GET BETTER MILEAGE TO OFFSET THE MORE EXPENSIVE FUEL PRICE.
Thanks, members!