How to fit a Positive Earth Powerspark electronic ignition kit:

How to fit a Positive Powerspark electronic ignition kit:

These instructions are for our positive earth ignition kits only. See separate post for negative earth.

Before you begin, it’s a good idea to disconnect the car battery. Most Powerspark® kits can be fitted to the distributor while still in the car. If you choose to remove the distributor, turn the engine to Top Dead Centre and mark the distributor / rotor position carefully.

Remove the distributor cap, rotor arm, contact points and condenser carefully, retaining the screws and withdraw the wires through the distributor body.

Test fit the module first and then apply a small amount of the white thermal grease provided (2 or 3 small blobs is sufficient) to the underside of the module baseplate, leave the screws fitted. Some kits are pre-fitted to a complete baseplate, in which case the thermal grease is not required.

Check there is sufficient slack in the wires inside the distributor body for the base plate to turn when a vacuum unit is fitted, inserting the rubber grommet or plastic plug to prevent the wires from chaffing. Secure the wires in the distributor body using the supplied cable tie to keep these out of the way of moving parts.

Fit the new trigger ring pressing down gently onto the shaft. Some kits have more than one trigger ring, use the one that fits best. On occasion the ring can be tight and may need to be carefully sanded to make it wider. Only do this to make minor alterations.

Fit the rotor arm and rotate the spindle to check there is clearance between the module and the trigger, and that the rotor arm does not foul the module.

The kit will find it’s own position but if the ring and kit touch then move the module to achieve a close but not touching position (3 or 4 mm maximum).

Locate the live feed from the ignition switch to the coil and disconnect it from the coil. Connect this wire to the the WHITE wire from the Powerspark® kit.

Connect the BLACK wire from the Powerspark® kit to to the coil(–) terminal (sometimes labelled ‘1‘) ensuring no other wire is on that same side.

Make up a new wire to connect the coil(+) to earth or ground. The coil mounting bracket is often a good location for this.

Failure to connect the wires correctly may result in damage to the Powerspark module. Never connect 12v directly to the black wire.

Refit the distributor cap, start the engine. Check and adjust the dynamic timing for best running.

Troubleshooting:

If you can’t get the ignition to work once installed, try these suggestions:

• Check the coil resistance prior to fitting this unit to ensure that your coil has a resistance of more than 1.5 ohms.
• Check that the ignition feed from the ignition switch is not connected to the coil.
• The Black wire must be connected to the coil(-) or ‘1’.
• Check that the coil(+) terminal is connected to a good earth. 
• For testing purposes, no other wires should be attached to the coil terminals, except for the centre HT lead to the distributor cap.
• Check the condition of the cap and rotor arm (replacing them if possible for testing).
• Do not connect coil(-) to earth.