engine and drivetrain E21 Electronic ignition

[qdessa]

I have a E21 engine with electronic ignition that I am putting into my 74. The motor has been rebuilt and includes a metric mechanic head.

I have the electronic dist and the parts. The question is this -

Is there an simplier solution for the distributor? Something like pertronix.

The problem is that the distributor on the e21 ( with electronic ign ) rotate in the opposite direction of the older distributors. The cam in the new motor is for the E21 electronic ignition.

Any ideas would be a big help. I'd like to have less stuff if possible.

Thanks

Alan

[skipsfcr]

There really isn't a simpler solution. Fact is the E21 electronic ignition is actually quite good. If you've got the distributor , ignition module, and the connectors / pigtails from the E21 harness you can wire it up in fifteen minutes. Here's the diagram...

[Guest Anonymous]

unit and its installation. Long ago in the early 80's, Bosch actually sold retrofit kits for the older 2002 models to update them with the TCIH ignition system found on the E21. These kits allowed one to not have to switch to the E21 camshaft to install the ignition. It is extremely rare to have problems with the standard E21 ignition system and it puts out more than enough juice.

shermanmartinez@hotmail.com

[Guest Anonymous]

I have the electronic dist and the parts. The question is this -

...

The problem is that the distributor on the e21 ( with electronic ign ) rotate in the opposite direction of the older distributors. The cam in the new motor is for the E21 electronic ignition.

Agree with others. If you have all that stuff and a matching cam I don't see the problem??

Tommy

[philv]

can you swap the gear from the 02 to the 320 dist?

[Harv]

Skip, that does look like great info. Back when Randy Molson was looking for an answer to this the only thing I knew would work was to get the distributer to fire off an MSD box. That's what he did and it does work.

John

[qdessa]

Thanks for the info. Especially the diagram. I have all the parts so I should be good to go.

I just wanted to know if there was a 'better' alternative.

The motor and interior are out of the car so fitting it in while be easy. My 320 had the module under the dash above the glove box. I'll try to place the module in the same location.

[TobyB]

can you swap the gear from the 02 to the 320 dist?

yes. Drill the end off the pin first, as it's swaged in place.

BUT make sure that the distributor rotates in the direction indicated

on its base. Otherwise the mechanical advance won't work right,

and your ignition timing will be, quite frankly, Fooked.

t

[skipsfcr]

Hey qdessa...that's NOT the module you need. I'm referring to the ignition module bolted to the firewall. It's black and screwed to an aluminum heatsink which is bolted to the firewall. Has one 6 pin Bosch connector going to it. It's about 2-3 inches wide.

[qdessa]

Ok - got it - that makes it even easier. Thanks!

[qdessa]

Skip - do you have the diagram for the fuel pump relay? If so please post it. I have the relay and a 320 haynes manual but it doesn't have connection numbers like your posting.

I'm going to retain the carb but have an electric fuel pump.

My understanding of the 320 fuel pump relay is when the relay is connected to the ignition module the relay will only be powered when the motor is turning. This is far better then just powering the pump when the ignition is on.

Thanks for you help!

[RandyMolson]

Bump for qdessa...

Back when Randy Molson was looking for an answer to this the only thing I knew would work was to get the distributer to fire off an MSD box. That's what he did and it does work.

Yeah I was in a bind because I did not have the e21 ignition box, and the standard 02 ignition parts do not plug into the e21 dizzy. If anybody is in the same boat, be assured that the MSD ignition works like a charm if you don't have the e21 electronics.

Harv, that motor runs like a top! The Weber sidedraft really puts out the brawwwwmp.

[18wheelerbob]

Hello new to this site. I think I have a similiar situation. I have an 1980 318 Baur 1.8L weber carb engine. 4cyl engine. I installing a rebuilt '72 2002 engine and was told I had to change the distributor due to opposite rotation. After reading this solution, does it apply to me as well? Can I get any advise on the best way to make this work. Thank you, Bob.

[flyingscot]

On 5/16/2010 at 9:15 AM, 18wheelerbob said:

Hello new to this site. I think I have a similiar situation. I have an 1980 318 Baur 1.8L weber carb engine. 4cyl engine. I installing a rebuilt '72 2002 engine and was told I had to change the distributor due to opposite rotation. After reading this solution, does it apply to me as well? Can I get any advise on the best way to make this work. Thank you, Bob.

If you are fitting a complete 2002 engine you would be best to fit a 2002 distributor as well. This is the old style contact breaker distributor but there are plenty of electronic ignition modules to replace the points and give you more than enough bang with a standard coil. Not got a 2002 Bosch Distributor part number but you should be able to find it on RealOEM or Google....

[stephers]

Check the date of the post, this is 10 years old.