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what spark plugs for converting to matchbox distributor?


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I converted my 521 to matchbox a couple years ago. It seems to work fine; much better, more responsive than the points.

 

Yesterday I put a matchbox in my 70 510. After going back and re-reading posts on swapping, I got it hooked up and running (after removing oil pump and rotating one tooth).

 

Today I planned to get new plugs/wires. I dawns on me that ok would probably not get the stock plugs now that I've changed the distributor and coil. I didn't see this mentioned in the posts I've read.

 

What plugs, wires and plug gap should I use?

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NGK plugs only, wires, cap and rotor from any matchbox distributor should work. If you get me the number stamped on the dizzy body I can tell you what year and model it's out of and you can order those parts and plugs. It's 22100-?????

 

Stock plug gap on the 521 is probably 0.032". Some EI plugs have an increased gap (0.038" to 0.042") to take advantage of the fatter spark.

 

 

My 78 620 FSM says BP6ES-11 for USA. The 11 means 1.1mm or 0.044" gap.

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Thanks for the great information.

 

They had the BP6es plugs in stock. So I put those in after work (set at 0.04). They ordered the wires, distributor cap and rotor.

 

But, the funny thing is, after I put in the matchbox, it won't start with engine cranking. As soon as you let off the starter it starts. I'm going to check battery charge and altenator.

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But, the funny thing is, after I put in the matchbox, it won't start with engine cranking. As soon as you let off the starter it starts. I'm going to check battery charge and altenator.

 

You need both the ignition On and the START wire connected to the coil+ and the module. Sounds like you only have the ON wire. During cranking there is no spark until the key returns to ON.

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Per the instructions on the post (I think it was "lose the points"), I ran a new hot wire from the pos coil to the "c" on the matchbox. I ran a new neg wire from the neg coil to the B side of matchbox. I connected the existing black-with-white wire to pos side of coil as well.

 

On the old ballast resistor there was a black/white wire and a black/blue wire. The black/blue goes to nothing now.

 

There were originally three wires all connected to the post on the points distributor. They are all disconnected and go to nothing now (per the swap post I read).

 

I took some before pictures. I'll take some pics of it now and try to post them.

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The "B" terminal on the matchbox goes to the Battery positive.

The "C" terminal goes to coil minus.

Wiring diagram.

521wiresEI.jpg

You must run an extra wire to the cylinder head from the body of the matchbox distributor to the head.  I run that wire to one of the small bolts that hold the head to the front, or cam chanin cover.  

The wiring diagram above uses the stock 521 points type coil.  If you use the matchbox electronic ignition coil, I believe you just tie the black with red wire to the black with white wire, at the coil. 

On a stock 521, black with white wire supplies electricity to the coil when the key is in run position.  Black with Red supplies power when the key is in crank, or start position.

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Black/blue and black/white to positive coil. Black/blue is cranking power, black/white is ignition power.

 

 

Some 510 ignition switches supply power to both the blue and white wire while cranking, some do not.

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regarding the wires, Yes, they ordered the wires mentioned in the post above. And, per the post above, I'll hook up both the black/blue and the black/white to the positive on the coil. Currently, {because of the directions on the other post} I only hooked up the black/white. I am out of town this week but can't wait to get home and make this change.

 

Thanks for the tips. Ratsun members are beyond awesome.

 

P.S. I have posted pics of the 510 in other posts but not this one. I'll post the obligatory pic.

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  • 2 weeks later...

NGK plugs only, wires, cap and rotor from any matchbox distributor should work. If you get me the number stamped on the dizzy body I can tell you what year and model it's out of and you can order those parts and plugs. It's 22100-?????

The one in my 510 is N8502

The one in my 521 is B9802

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