Hot-Spark Breakerless Ignition Install Instructions
- Sluggo
- Wishin' I was Fishin'
- Location: Portland, Or.
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Hot-Spark Breakerless Ignition Install Instructions
This is just in case any of you got a Hot-Spark but didn't get the recent supplement to the installation instructions. It seems like it would be a good idea on the Pertronix, Compu-fire & others.
Regarding Hot-Spark Ignition Installation:
Thermal Grease: To help keep the ignition module cool, spread a very thin layer of thermal grease (a.k.a. thermal paste or thermal transfer compound, the type used in a computer between the CPU and its heat sink) on the underside of the bottom plate of the BOS4C1 module (centrifugal advance only). If installing the BOS4V1 (Vacuum Advance model), spread a very thin layer of thermal grease on both the top and bottom of its bottom plate. Thermal grease is available from computer stores, electronics shops, Radio Shack, etc. Silver thermal grease is a better thermal conductor than silicone thermal grease, but either will work.
Please see: www.Hot-Spark.com/Installing-Hot-Spark.htm
Regarding Hot-Spark Ignition Installation:
Thermal Grease: To help keep the ignition module cool, spread a very thin layer of thermal grease (a.k.a. thermal paste or thermal transfer compound, the type used in a computer between the CPU and its heat sink) on the underside of the bottom plate of the BOS4C1 module (centrifugal advance only). If installing the BOS4V1 (Vacuum Advance model), spread a very thin layer of thermal grease on both the top and bottom of its bottom plate. Thermal grease is available from computer stores, electronics shops, Radio Shack, etc. Silver thermal grease is a better thermal conductor than silicone thermal grease, but either will work.
Please see: www.Hot-Spark.com/Installing-Hot-Spark.htm
1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
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- DurocShark
- IAC Addict!
- Location: A Mickey Mouse Town
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
- Sluggo
- Wishin' I was Fishin'
- Location: Portland, Or.
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
The ballast resistor did nothing for mine. The replacement they sent works fine but I also replaced my coil while I was waiting, so I don't know if it was my coil or the Hot-Spark. I suspect the Hot-Spark since the Bus ran fine with points.DurocShark wrote:Don't forget the part where they say you need a ballast resistor regardless of the resistance of your coil.
I still haven't gotten mine working reliably. :(
I'm buying a 1.6ohm ballast resistor tomorrow.
1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
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- DurocShark
- IAC Addict!
- Location: A Mickey Mouse Town
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
It works!!!
I got the new one and installed it yesterday. Works great now!
http://www.donimages.com/guacamolebus/h ... g.php?id=9
I got the new one and installed it yesterday. Works great now!
http://www.donimages.com/guacamolebus/h ... g.php?id=9
- Sluggo
- Wishin' I was Fishin'
- Location: Portland, Or.
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
My second one started crapping out. I e-mailed them and they told me the usual stuff (for them) about the resistor and coil again. I pulled it and put the points back in and the Bus ran great. MPG actually improved with points over the Hot-Spark.
After a little back & forth they sent a 3rd unit. They said they improved the design and thermocouple. I put it in on Friday. So far it is the best one yet. Better than the last 3 units and better than points. Smoother running and starting. We'll see if it lasts. Maybe they worked out the bugs. Still shouldn't have to go through 3 of them before I get a good one.
After a little back & forth they sent a 3rd unit. They said they improved the design and thermocouple. I put it in on Friday. So far it is the best one yet. Better than the last 3 units and better than points. Smoother running and starting. We'll see if it lasts. Maybe they worked out the bugs. Still shouldn't have to go through 3 of them before I get a good one.
1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------
- DurocShark
- IAC Addict!
- Location: A Mickey Mouse Town
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
- bretski
- Ellipsis-Meister
- Location: out of hibernation...for now
- Status: Offline
I've been following the "Hot Spark Saga" with great interest. Please keep us posted on how the "improved" units hold up/perform. I have a Pertronix arriving tomorrow, and am going to give it a try.
1978 Deluxe Westfalia - "Klaus"
"transcripts are overrated. hardware store receipts: those are useful." --skin daddio
"transcripts are overrated. hardware store receipts: those are useful." --skin daddio
- DurocShark
- IAC Addict!
- Location: A Mickey Mouse Town
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
I just emailed the guys with this:
I think I've put way too much time and effort into getting this working. I really want it to work, but I'm just spinning my wheels.Getting off a long freeway run, it died at the light. I got it to idle, but pressing the gas pedal did nothing. I rolled out of the intersection, threw my gloves on, and put my points in and it ran fine.
Coming off a hot freeway run is probably the hottest things can get. Massive heat soak, and low fan RPMs can't keep up the cooling.
I'm still running the 1.6, so if anything everything should be cooler, right?
- Sluggo
- Wishin' I was Fishin'
- Location: Portland, Or.
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
I've got my points and condenser in a baggie on the floor by the passenger seat. I am fully prepared for this to crap out, but so far, it's working flawlessly.DurocShark wrote:I just emailed the guys with this:
I think I've put way too much time and effort into getting this working. I really want it to work, but I'm just spinning my wheels.Getting off a long freeway run, it died at the light. I got it to idle, but pressing the gas pedal did nothing. I rolled out of the intersection, threw my gloves on, and put my points in and it ran fine.
Coming off a hot freeway run is probably the hottest things can get. Massive heat soak, and low fan RPMs can't keep up the cooling.
I'm still running the 1.6, so if anything everything should be cooler, right?
1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------
- DurocShark
- IAC Addict!
- Location: A Mickey Mouse Town
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
- DurocShark
- IAC Addict!
- Location: A Mickey Mouse Town
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
- Sluggo
- Wishin' I was Fishin'
- Location: Portland, Or.
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Mine went out a week and a half ago. This is the third one. Similar situation, I had just taken a 20 minute freeway trip. The engine started to sputter like I was out of gas and then died. Started her up a few minutes later and things seemed fine. Then it happened again 10 minutes later leaving me blocking a semi-busy Hollywood intersection with my wife, son and some pissed off, horn happy L.A. drivers. I put my points back in and everything has been perfect.
This is just a bad product. If they offer another free one I'm not going to take it. Even for free it's not worth the time I'd spend on it. I'd have been better off spending the $75 for a Pertronix or Compufire and not having to spend so much time on it.
This is just a bad product. If they offer another free one I'm not going to take it. Even for free it's not worth the time I'd spend on it. I'd have been better off spending the $75 for a Pertronix or Compufire and not having to spend so much time on it.
1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------
- RSorak 71Westy
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
- DurocShark
- IAC Addict!
- Location: A Mickey Mouse Town
- Contact:
- Status: Offline