pig_iron Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 I am looking to upgrade the ignition system in my 620/l18 to a matchbox dizzy. I read the stuff on here and the jason gray thing, and I was wondering if a remanufactered distributor from rockauto for a 1979 l20b would do the trick (it's only a little more pricey than a JY part, due to the wholesale thing going on). If it's good to go, is there anything else I will need to do the swap? Also, because it's going in an l18 do I need to modify anything on the motor to fit the dizzy, or is there an aftermarket bracket available (couldn't find anything)? Here is a link to the part; it's the cheapest one: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1210150,parttype,7108 Thanks Quote Link to comment
jefe de jefes Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 That's a good price. Jump on it Quote Link to comment
pig_iron Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 cool, thanks... http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1210150,parttype,7060 Should I replace my coil as well? At the top of the web page above is a 'california' electronic ignition coil; should I scoop this thing up as well or should I use the regular one? Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 You want to use a coil that is intended for use with an electronic ignition. A regular points coil will burn up eventually. Quote Link to comment
LenRobertson Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 If that price includes a new vacuum diaphragm, it is a great price, since the vacuum unit itself is around $30. And the majority of JY dizzys will have a bad vacuum diaphragm. I think to mount this on an L18, you need a distributor pedestal from an L20, although that may only be true for an L16. You should be able to get this part without the dizzy for pretty cheap at the JY, or maybe someone here on Ratsun has an extra. I'm not absolutely sure about the pedestal difference, so hopefully some else can confirm that. Len Quote Link to comment
pig_iron Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 thanks for the replies. Do I need another ignition control module or can i run this off the one in my truck? Quote Link to comment
datsunaholic Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 The '79 dist, the ignition module is part of the distributor. I have no idea what you have now- '77 California version was the only '77 with electronic from the factory, but it used a remote ignitor and hence must use the remote-ignitor dist (76-78 type, cali only for 76-77, all States 78) A '77 49-State version would have had points, no ignition module at all. If you have a module, it's either a Cali truck or someone has swapped dists and ignition systems already. Since you engine isn't stock, God knows what's in there now. Also, for the '79 dist, you would need the '79 dist pedestal. While it's possible to make SOME other pedestals work, some won't work at all and make it impossible to time. The Rockauto ones do not come with a pedestal. Quote Link to comment
pig_iron Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Okay cool, that was very informative. It's running a points distributor right now... I ordered the distributor from rockauto, a used one at the u pull it was listed for around 40 bucks, so I figured i might as well get a remanufactured one for a couple bucks more. I also picked up a 12v coil, so hopefully this will be good to go (famous last words). I will scrounge around for the pedestal, if anyone wants to sell me one i got real folding money. Thanks again for the help, i will post an update with results. Quote Link to comment
jefe de jefes Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 You can snag a coil from the 280zx cars with ei. Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 I will scrounge around for the pedestal, if anyone wants to sell me one i got real folding money. i sell you the one you already have ;) use that one! did you get the close out one? let us know how it is Quote Link to comment
pig_iron Posted February 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 i sell you the one you already have ;) use that one! did you get the close out one? let us know how it is lol i hear you. I read a post where a guy shaved his points dizzy pedestal with an angle grinder (i guess the pedestal was to tall to let the dizzy fully seat/engage). If i run into the same problem i will give that a try first; hopefully i will be able to time it okay. Ya it is the closeout one. I will update this post when i get it in. Quote Link to comment
Jayden71 Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 I have an EI dizzy from an '80 L20b on mah L16, very happy with the results :D I didn't mess around with a JY one, reman from the parts store Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 hopefully i will be able to time it okay. it only goes in one way. shouldnt be off more than a few degrees. Quote Link to comment
motavated Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Copy paste!!! Not exactly in the center but whatevers... That is also that valance you gave me. Its being used and hopefully abused! That is what I was going to tell you. I learned that your 4 cylinder dissy pedestal is the same for a 1980 280zx. I was using a 280zx pedestal but I thought it was not the same as the 4 banger dissy. When I got yours. THEY LOOKED EXACTLY A LIKE! So i looked up the part numbers for a 280zx and a 1980 720 pickup l20b.... SAME PART NUMBER!!!!! THANKS MAN! Sorry buddy! If i would of known I would of not bottered you about that... I am saying this so that other people could know... Quote Link to comment
D52E Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 I ordered one of these reman units and can confirm it comes with ignition module and vacuum advance unit. The ignition module does not appear to be OEM and the vacuum advance appears to be a cleaned up original. Quote Link to comment
brodster Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Just bought two! Great find. I think there are 21 units left now. Quote Link to comment
Ooph! Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Received mine today, a really nice unit. The Rockauto discount thread came in handy too. Quote Link to comment
ariascarlos1990 Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Do they come with the pedestal? Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 no they dont. PS there were to types of matchboxes made. soem use another pedastal so its up to you guys to make sure the rotor is at TDC when you install it. IF the rotor points between plug wires 1& 3 THEN YOU HAVE THE WRONG PEDASTAL. Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 What I did to make the other pedestal work is move the distributor gear 2 teeth counterclockwise. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 yes you can move the spindal on oil pump. Just remeber if you put another dizzy on from another car ans it will be off on that one Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.