Pics of points, rotor, dist cap. Need help!

[kensmith]

I have a 1978 124 Spider and want to know if it needs a tune-up. I have pics on my photobucket.com. Can someone look at the pics and tell me if it looks normal or in need of replacing the dual points, rotor, and cap? Thanks!


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/ ... tor003.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/ ... tor002.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/ ... tor001.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/ ... tor004.jpg

[kmead]

You should be able to clean that up with some ignition files, emory paper and so on. The points are a little pitted but not bad and the cap has some grunge but it should be able to be tidied up along with the rotor edge.

You might consider changing over to a newer Fiat electronic distributor or a Ignitor which uses your existing distributor and removes the points. The Ignitor costs @90 bucks and several members here have sold Fiat systems in the past. Mark at Allison Automotive ( http://www.allisonsautomotive.com/ )offers an excellent electronic ignition system which is a bit pricey but is very good as well. Just a thought.

[kensmith]

I have a 1978 so I would have to do the complete conversion which is too much. Thanks! Anyone else have any opinions on my pics? Replace or good as is? Thanks!

[chrisfiat]

pertronix now has a pointless conversion unit for this dist, i have converted mine and it works great. In have used pertronix ignitors in vw for about 30 years with nothing but the best of results.

see page seven of there ing parts catalogue http://www.pertronix.com/catalogs/pdf/p ... ix2010.pdf

[kensmith]

pertronix now has a pointless conversion unit for this dist, i have converted mine and it works great. In have used pertronix ignitors in vw for about 30 years with nothing but the best of results.

see page seven of there ing parts catalogue http://www.pertronix.com/catalogs/pdf/p ... ix2010.pdf

I did not see any 1978 Fiat 124 kits, only up to 1977.

[DocGraphics]

I too have a 78 I'd like to convert to elect.
Isn't the 78 dist the same as the 77? Then they changed to elect in 79 w/ the 2.0 engine change????????

[kmead]

I too have a 78 I'd like to convert to elect.
Isn't the 78 dist the same as the 77? Then they changed to elect in 79 w/ the 2.0 engine change????????

Yes the Igniter kit will work on the 78. As I pointed out it is an easy changeover (as is the Fiat system since it is effectively plug and play)

Highly recommend moving away from points.

[kensmith]

I sent an email to Pertronix to see what they say about a 78. Here is what they have in their catalog:

1970-77 4 1300, 1500, Berlina, Cabriolet, Familia 13 S91 Marelli MR-LS2
1970-77 4 1500L, 1600S 13 S106, S108A Marelli MR-LS2
1971-77 4 124 13 S134, S144, S147 Marelli MR-LS1
1971-77 4 125 Special 13 S134, S147 Marelli MR-LS1
1971-77 4 127 Berlina 13 S145, S146 Marelli MR-LS1
1972-77 4 132 Berlina Special, GL 13 S144 Marelli MR-LS1
1972-77 4 132 Berlina 13 S134, S144, S147 Marelli MR-LS1
1973-77 4 131 13 S144, S147 Marelli MR-LS1
1974 4 X 1/9 13 S153 Marelli MR-LS1
1975-77 4 132 GL, GLS 13 S134, S137, S144, S147 Marelli MR-LS1
1975-78 4 241 T, 242 13 S147 Marelli MR-LS1
1976-78 4 238B, Bi, 850 T 13 S147, S146 Marelli MR-LS1
1965-69 6 1800B Berlina, 2300 Berlina Lusso, Familia 13 S96 Marelli MR-LS2

[fiat218]

if marks is a bit pricey maybe he should lower it lol
kidding

[majicwrench]

Always suprises me to see people wanting to change from points. Points work, they are cheap, and easy to fix on the road.
Electronic stuff is expensive (compared to points) and if it dies on the road you are sol unless you are carrying another electonic unit with you.
As to the question, your car needs a tune-up if it does not run well. If it runs well, why mess with it?? Gap the points and go for a drive. Parts all look fine.
Keith

[chrisfiat]

30 years 16 cars and 2 boats never an ing problem and three of the cars still running in my stable total over 300k on the pertronix systems. I have installed countless ones in customer mg's and triumh's NEVER an ing issue again. these systems are well made and won't wear or burn like points. the kit for the 1977 dist will fit the newer dual point dist no problems

[kensmith]

Always suprises me to see people wanting to change from points. Points work, they are cheap, and easy to fix on the road.
Electronic stuff is expensive (compared to points) and if it dies on the road you are sol unless you are carrying another electonic unit with you.
As to the question, your car needs a tune-up if it does not run well. If it runs well, why mess with it?? Gap the points and go for a drive. Parts all look fine.
Keith

If they all look fine, I will leave it alone. I was asking as I have not had the car long and have put only about 200 miles on it. Not sure how good it is supposed to run. Next, I will check timing. From what I read, car needs to be fully warmed up, let it idle, timing should be at 0* at the long timing mark on the timing belt cover.

[kmead]

If they all look fine, I will leave it alone. I was asking as I have not had the car long and have put only about 200 miles on it. Not sure how good it is supposed to run. Next, I will check timing. From what I read, car needs to be fully warmed up, let it idle, timing should be at 0* at the long timing mark on the timing belt cover.

I would dress the points, the rotor and the contacts in the cap with emery cloth to ensure they are all set. The rotor and the cap in particular.

I suggested the other alternatives as many folks are not really good at dealing with points. In my 124 with a 1438 the distributor is a real pain to perform maintenance on as it is down low and has the advance mechanism on top which makes it very hard to see the points much less adjust them properly. I have points on my 124 and my 850 for the last 20 plus years and don't have a problem with them they are just a maintenance item.

You do want to carry an extra set of all of these parts with you in the car, I have seen many rotors fail on the road which is a real bummer now of days.

[kensmith]

If they all look fine, I will leave it alone. I was asking as I have not had the car long and have put only about 200 miles on it. Not sure how good it is supposed to run. Next, I will check timing. From what I read, car needs to be fully warmed up, let it idle, timing should be at 0* at the long timing mark on the timing belt cover.

I would dress the points, the rotor and the contacts in the cap with emery cloth to ensure they are all set. The rotor and the cap in particular.

I suggested the other alternatives as many folks are not really good at dealing with points. In my 124 with a 1438 the distributor is a real pain to perform maintenance on as it is down low and has the advance mechanism on top which makes it very hard to see the points much less adjust them properly. I have points on my 124 and my 850 for the last 20 plus years and don't have a problem with them they are just a maintenance item.

You do want to carry an extra set of all of these parts with you in the car, I have seen many rotors fail on the road which is a real bummer now of days.

Well,

You make a good point. If I replace the points, cap, and rotor, I could save them in the trunk in case I need them at a later time? How difficult is it to set the points and dwell? I have a timing light which I know how to use and a Dwell tester which I have never used.