Converting an old Hilborn to electronic and to use a Vertex.

Most of my friends say you cannot do that. I feel somewhat confident adapting the FI; however, am concerned about the mag interfering with the computer for the FI. The mag did not cause any issues with the instruments in the race car; but, there was not a computer involved. I recall back in the sixties that some guys wrapped a thin gauge copper wire around the plug wires and grounded it; but. there were no computers then. Is the electrical interference from the magneto body or plug wires or both? Is there a means to contain that interference?

 

The EFI is not going to be popular here.

The answer is yes, both.

The plug wires and the magneto will both produce EMI.

It is hard to say exactly what effect that will have on electronic components, though.

Most modern stuff rejects interface fairly well, but the same cannot necessarily be said for home-brew stuff.

 

If it is a Vertex magneto, then there are solutions to control radio frequency (RF) interference. They work by making a Faraday cage around the parts that can emit RF.

There is a factory aluminum hood, as per the images below:



The hood prevents RF interference from the cap area. The hood "outlets" let the plug wires exit. The plug wires are covered in stainless braid, connected to the hood and earthed to the block. This prevents RF interference from the leads.

Cheers,
Harv

 

This is an option for the mag look with EFI...

https://eclipseengineeringmags.com/

 

I have not seen one of those,
About what year introduced & is it a Vertex?

The Efi will need a Rpm signal, I think you could fake it , a crank trigger wheel or take a add 4 magnets 90 deg from each other to balancer , flex plate Ext with pick up to
Reference rpms to ecu to operate injectors, Im sure other ways ,
& Mag just send spark to plugs ,
I am just sharing a thought .

 

Mounting the ecu inside the cab somewhere will protect it. It might be possible to shield the sensor wires with tin foil such as some of the wires are in oem. I used to run an Autometer tach on my dragster without 12 volts so I know that a pickup has been used. This is in the Autometer catalog: https://www.autometer.com/magneto-s...NdMMpO37Cv8aN_G7y66ZmEI4K4BysMYiOUhJGaR9awnSq

 

Not sure what year they were introduced, but definitely Vertex factory gear. The picture below is an excerpt from the Vertex instruction manual.

Cheers,
Harv

 

I don't know if this is a home brew or aftermarket. If home brew, lurk on the FI conversion companies for as much info as possible. If bought, ask them.
For shielding, First look at stuff like BB corvettes.

The immediate question is - was the whole point of running old ignition with new fuel for the looks, because this isn't going to make you happy. It also begs why you want to go modern and old school when they aren't really compatible.
If you gotta have it, try to keep the computer stuff away from the mag, and no long parallel runs.
You can also get shielded wires for the EFI and then also run them inside a shield.
You might talk to local HAM or other radio hobbyists near you about EMF.