J13 electronic ignition conversion questions

[Ofeargall]

I've finally got the truck operating and I'm considering the switch to electronic ignition. I'm not a purist, so the points have got to go...

 

What's the average cost on this type of conversion and specifically what parts are needed? My coil has the resistor built-in so I shouldn't need a new one, correct? I'm guessing this is a distributor swap and a little bit of wiring.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[ggzilla]

$125 for a good used Nissan "matchbox" distributor w/pedestal + matching coil

You want a coil with no resistor built in. Remove the existing or stock resistor.

 

Two wires, connect to the two coil terminals. So simple I wouldn't even call it a swap. More like a replacement.

[Ofeargall]

So pretty much any matchbox distributor will plug in there? Even if it's a 'J' series engine? Cool! Bummer on the coil... I just bought that.

[ggzilla]

Sorry, my mistake. I was thinking of the 521 engine.

 

There are no electronic ignition setups for J13, but you can modify a J13 distributor will Nissan parts or with Hotspark or Pertronix.

[wayno]

So pretty much any matchbox distributor will plug in there? Even if it's a 'J' series engine? Cool! Bummer on the coil... I just bought that.

 

 

No it won't just go in there, the J block never had an electronic ignition that I know of, and I don't beleave that an "A" or "L" block distributor will drop in there, if you want a matchbox, you will have to make one.

Mike K. did it in his NL320 thread, on the first page.

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/393-mklotz70-nl320/page__view__findpost__p__330297__hl__mklotz__fromsearch__1

You need the coil that goes with the matchbox.

I wonder if pertronics makes something that will go in the J block distributor.

[ggzilla]

Pertronix 1741 fits most HITACHI single point distributors through 1973 including J13/J15, L16, A12, and others. If your distributor is stamped D40 or D41 it should fit.

[ggzilla]

You can use an L20B Matchbox distributor in your J13, but you have to remove the drive-end and put the J13 gear on the L20B distributor, and modify the hold-down bracket.

[Ofeargall]

You guys are awesome. Thank you for the information/resources.

[highdesertdatsun]

I have two matchbox distributors both out of a series vech one has a

dual vacuum port advance/ retard pod and the other is a regular vacuum advance

my question is can a A series match be adapted to a J series as described in above

threads ? I couldn't find it but has any tried? If possible I wish to use moduale from

one on the other? advance curve springs kits ? Thanks for any help

[highdesertdatsun]

another option I just completed . I switched a matchbox L series shaft into a A series match box housing . then installd the J series gear . used the J series timming plate and it works great.

bought a new vac advance from napa. hard part was finding a good advance plate. it really woke up

this engine . now no secondary bog. Didnt even install extended tip plugs and increase gap yet.

also the advance plate notch had to be widened . I used a die grinder bit. otherwize a "bolt in "

[ggzilla]

Congrats

 

If you had an L-series matchbox distributor shaft, why not use the whole distributor? Why swap it into the A-series distributor?

[highdesertdatsun]

good ? the A housing works better with advance placement. a E housing may work aswell

[Larry johnson]

I have the Pertronix and the hot coil in my 520. Been working great for a long time.

[XXL]

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I've been running a Pertronix for a little over a year.  Works great-- http://community.ratsun.net/topic/52578-anyone-recommend-converting-to-electronic-ignition/