M38A1 Solid state ignition conversion

Discussion topics on Willys Overland M series vehicles
Post Reply
MikeM38A1
Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:00 pm
Location: Cleveland County UK.

M38A1 Solid state ignition conversion

Post by MikeM38A1 »

Hi Guys,

I read with interest the article and video on the M38A1 conversion to solid state ignition using a Swiss unit, designed for the M151.
From my 2007 restoration, to date I have gone through a handful of condensers from unknown origins, and decided to convert.

One of our UK suppliers now imports the unit at £50 per unit.
It was a straight forward conversion and once the new locating notch is made in the dizzy housing, I set the timing at dead on 5 deg, btdc, and plug gaps at 25 thou. and it fired up instantly and ran smoother.

My question is, should the plug gaps be opened to 32--36 thou, as on the Mutt, and or advance the timing ????

Any advice appreciated, as usual,

Thanks,

Mike.
User avatar
buzzk
Active Member
Active Member
Posts: 197
Joined: Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:00 pm
Location: Saint Augustine , Florida

electronic conversion

Post by buzzk »

would that work on the M38 and who has the conversion thx buzz
User avatar
wesk
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Posts: 16467
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:00 pm
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Post by wesk »

Yes and no one actually sells a conversion. You simply buy the M151 Swiss igntion unit and modify it to fit your M38 or M38A1 distributor. This is an old topic and if you search a bit you'll find the background on it. Also visit my photo album's sub-album on ignition systems.

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

Image
This is the late 151 Swiss system referred to above.

Image
This is the early 151 Prestolite system and the one I prefer but it is much harder to find.

Image
Here they are side by side.

Erik Maes did the conversion mentioned above and has documented it quite well several years ago.

Here is where it all started in 2006:
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t= ... electronic

Here is Erik's conversion using the swiss kit.
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t= ... f83d81c4c0
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
User avatar
buzzk
Active Member
Active Member
Posts: 197
Joined: Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:00 pm
Location: Saint Augustine , Florida

Locating notch

Post by buzzk »

kind of corn-fused about the locating notch and what it is thx buzz
User avatar
wesk
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Posts: 16467
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:00 pm
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Post by wesk »

Have you reviewed all the links provided by me and the links in those links?

Here's one that will explain the notch issue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4XAcYvVJQs

Here's a couple more links:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... pic&t=3306
http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com/2013/04 ... w-starter/
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
Post Reply