Standard Motor Products ignition parts-any good?

[Sean M Rooks]

The Permatune allows you to retain the points but the 6 volt version is out of production so only expensive used units are available. Winterburn is a better alternative there,
http://www.capacitordischargeignition.com

I've got a 6v Permatune I'd be happy to pass on to a new owner. Never installed on the car and I wouldn't charge an arm and a leg. Honestly I just want it out of the garage.

[Cliff Murray]

25 years ago I owned 2 auto parts stores and Standard Motor Products was the 600 pound gorilla in ignition parts manufacturing. The quality was very good for US built vehicle applications but I was always less impressed with their imported car parts. Many of those were not manufactured by them but were sourced from overseas and the quality was inconsistent. Sometimes you opened a box to find the actual OEM part but sometimes a cheapo looking part was in the box.

I don't know about the quality today but with condensers being lower volume parts today I doubt they are a better quality.

[Jack Kwiat]

I am using it on my cabrio Jack and so far after 3 years absolutely no issues. Very simple installation.

David, thanks for posting a picture of the actual unit installed. It's smaller and more compact than I visualized it. But I guess big things come in small packages sometimes. I appreciate your information.

[Jack Kwiat]

I am using the delta 10 6volt for many years now love it...if you can find one get it..,.I have two 12 volt ones if you need tony apcar

Tony,
I've also used a 6-volt Delta Mk 10 many years ago. I still have the unit somewhere. Perhaps, I may consider going back to using it again. I know they require using a larger plug gap like .035 and a fresh set of points. However, one of my concerns is if it fails out on the road somewhere, I'd like to be able to easily convert it back to a standard ignition configuration in order to get me home.
Thanks for your input and offer of one of your 12-volt Mk 10's.

[Jack Kwiat]

I've got a 6v Permatune I'd be happy to pass on to a new owner. Never installed on the car and I wouldn't charge an arm and a leg. Honestly I just want it out of the garage.

Thanks for you input and offer to sell your Permatune unit. I'll send you a private message.

[Jack Kwiat]

25 years ago I owned 2 auto parts stores and Standard Motor Products was the 600 pound gorilla in ignition parts manufacturing. The quality was very good for US built vehicle applications but I was always less impressed with their imported car parts. Many of those were not manufactured by them but were sourced from overseas and the quality was inconsistent. Sometimes you opened a box to find the actual OEM part but sometimes a cheapo looking part was in the box.

I don't know about the quality today but with condensers being lower volume parts today I doubt they are a better quality.

Cliff,
Thank you for your input on the Standard Motor Products. Normally I would prefer Bosch or a good foreign OEM brand replacement part. I realize in today's times many components are made offshore and using them is a crapshoot. I will try them out as an experiment. Worse comes to worse, they turn out to be junk and I never use them again.

[David Jones]

Jack, if you go to a CDI unit you do not have to open the plug gap to .035". You can but it is not required. If you do install a CDI unit then leave the condenser in place on the outside of the distributor but disconnected. If the CDI should fail just switch back to stock and reconnect the condenser. Just make sure that you make the connections compatible with doing a reversal on the road so to speak. I used to run larger gaps with my Permatune until I realized one day that I could have misfire problems if I had to switch back to a stock ignition with larger than normal plug gaps.

[Bob Slayden]

So here is the ignition in my roadster. I installed a 123 distributor in 2014 and it has been rock solid since. Then I upgraded to a Winterburn CD system when my coil died (this was unrelated to th 123.) In conversation with Fred Winterburn, he told me that the CD ignition and his in particular draws less current than a Kettering (points/condenser) ignition, a really good thing with a 6 volt system.
So now I have LED headlights, LED fog lights and Cu layer brake lights. I also have a USB/voltmeter to monitor generator output. With all this, my electrical system is great and even pulling all loads (all lights, windshield wipers, cell phone on usb) my generator keeps up fine. No more "slung solder generator" like I did when I had H4's, 55 watt fogs and windshield wipers running all together for 30 minutes one night years ago. That time I managed to get home on parking lights and no wipers but it was a little dicey if I was going to make it before the battery ran flat. Note that I have my distributor installed so that the Hex screw "window" is easily accessible so you can easily change the setting on teh 123. I have settled on setting "B" and the blue tape documents my last setting.
Sorry for the less than clean engine, been using the car a bit. I'll get on it soon.

Bob Slayden
Sandy Springs, GA
'62 twin grill roadster 89696

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[Juha Vane]

Have same setup as Bob, 6V is enough when you have 123 distributor, thanks Cliff + Winterburn box and LED lights all over.
This is a working combination.
Stay away from Magnecor junk ignition wires!

[Norm Miller]

I think Standard Motor products have been around longer than most of us.
Seldom used on 356's in the day when Bosch products were top of the line.
So, I think good!
"change points and condenser" like "Lube oil and filter" and "Balance and rotate" all became catchphrases most weren't needed.
If you can find an old 36hp distributor, salvage the condenser.

[Cliff Murray]

I think orange cars should be banned.

[Jack Kwiat]

Jack, if you go to a CDI unit you do not have to open the plug gap to .035". You can but it is not required. If you do install a CDI unit then leave the condenser in place on the outside of the distributor but disconnected. If the CDI should fail just switch back to stock and reconnect the condenser. Just make sure that you make the connections compatible with doing a reversal on the road so to speak. I used to run larger gaps with my Permatune until I realized one day that I could have misfire problems if I had to switch back to a stock ignition with larger than normal plug gaps.

David,
If I recall correctly, in Delta's instruction manual, they actually recommended opening up the plug gap to 035. I'll have to look again. Fortunately, I still have the instructions somewhere, 30 + yrs later.
I think using any electronic or CDI ignition system/device is beneficial in these cars. I will try reinstalling my old Delta Mk 10 unit and see what it runs like. I may as well, I still have it and it's not costing me anything at this point. I just have to dig it out of it's hiding place.
I'm glad this thread progressed into electronic ignition units, and what's available out there.

[Juha Vane]

I think orange cars should be banned

Cliff, please open this a bit more.
What would be the approved color?

[Cliff Murray]

Pink? Like Racing Point?

[Mike Horton]

Tim B. recently posted that the Standard Brands GB125 Condenser was a good choice.

I have one GB 125 on my 022, and spares I found on Amazon, and the horshoe wire terminal is handier.
When Tim posts something, believe it. I've suggested this condenser to several, for the cast iron housing distributors. I also keep my original aluminum bodied Bosch ones, numbers stamped into the end opposite the wire, and have one on a BR18, which I think may be original. I am suspect of the chromed, unmarked Bosch version.

If anyone still has their 6V Delta installation sheet, I'd like to have a copy, I still have one in a box, somewhere...