Ht Leads

Elan Discussions
1

Hi

I have been reading this foum for some time, full of useful info.
I have a 1968 Elan +2 with a 23D4 distributor. I have been told that the only caps available for this distributor are the original type with screw in connections for the HT cables. I am about to replace the the points etc with a lumenition Magnetronic system and intend to replace the HT leads at the same time. Do I have to use the original copper wire or can Silicon\Carbon leads be used ? Ideally I would just like to cut the ends off some standard modern leads and screw them in. The reason I want to use modern leads is for their superior interference suppression, I do like to occasionally listen to the radio.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

2

Steve
I have silicon/carbon leads in mine,just cut them to size and fit.
P.S.
7mm leads O.K.
John

3

I have an Optronic Lumenition system in my plus 2 and you cannot use copper leads as they interfere with the electronics. I suspect it may the same with the Magnetronic system. A word of caution with the Magnetronic however, my friend fitted one to his MGB and it wouldnt run the rev counter he had to change to a different makers system. Make sure you get it on a sale or return in case it doesnt run your counter.

4

There are a couple of options for fitting different leads into the early distributor.

  1. You can drill out the cap to take larger leads
  2. Magnecor produce HT leads and sell different sizes from 7 to 10mm. They also sell the distributor cap already drilled out to take larger leads.
  3. I believe the silicon leads are also soft enough to use 8mm instead of 7mm if you cut the ends off.
    check out magnecors website http://www.magnecor.co.uk/
    Clive
5

You can get original type solid copper 7mm leads from http://www.holden.co.uk/

6

Thanks for the info.
I will get a set of stock leads of the appropriate length and cut the distributor end to length.
I don’t expect the RVI revcounter to work correctly with electronic ignition (it doesn’t work properly without it either on my car). That the next job.

7

I use the Aldon Ignitor with Bosch 7mm silicone leads. Snagless and works the rev counter.

8

Can you buy the Bosch leads as a set? If so do you have a part number?

Thanks

Carl

9

When buying HT leads I would be tempted to measure up the length of each lead and buy individually. I find that because of the side entry on the distributor if you rotate it when timing the engine, the length of the leads needed can vary quite a bit to the point that I have had leads that are too short.
Clive

10
[b]QUOTE[/b] (pereirac @ Mar 6 2005, 01:56 PM)
Can you buy the Bosch leads as a set? If so do you have a part number?

[/quote]
Carl,

Not exactly - until recently, I had a Discovery2 4.0 V8 and was having ignition trouble with pot 5, so I bought a new set of HT leads only to discovery that the problem was with the coil pack - coil no5 (it had 8!) was stuffed. So when I came to get my Elan going, I had 7 spare HT leads and just cut them to size. Waste not, want not!

Matt