I recently acquired a Marquette Model 42-127 distributor machine. It is complete and aside from being dirty appears to be in good shape. My question is does anybody know if this machine can be used to check the advance curves on non points style distributors ?
I don't know about the marquette, but on my Sun distributor machine you need to have their "distributor pulse amplifier" in order to run an elect distributor
The answer is yes, but with a caveat. I have run hei, magnetos, and MSD and Accel electronic ignitions on my old Allen Syncrograph, however I have had to set up the complete ignition system like it is in the vehicle to get results. The only part of the Syncrograph used in the setup is the tachometer. As an example. For a magneto you should never run one without having some way to get rid of the spark energy. I have a bar of aluminum with 8 sparkplugs screwed into it. There's a ground wire with a clip that can be attached to the magneto body, and I run the 8 ignition wires to the plugs. I have a self contained timing light and I use it to check out the advance curve if there is one, by shining the light at the degree wheel on the Syncrograph. I used to use an old Heathkit ignition scope with the hei coil adapter to look at the waveform as well, but the scope is gone now, so... I did similar setups but with the electronic ignition system setup. Just use your imagination to make a complete ignition system setup. Same deal with the sparkplugs and a timing light. Mine is down right now, old fashioned condenser failures, and I haven't gotten a round tuit to replace those yet... it's on my list of things to get working again someday!
This is the machine. Also discovered that 3 of 4 leads are off of the bulbs . May try to resolder them. Has anyone ever converted these to LED bulbs ?
After some searching it looks like I can run an old or new aftermarket distributor on this machine . Distributor only no coil , no ignition box , so basically a distributor with a points trigger or electronic trigger but no capacity to produce a spark as in HEI or magneto. Also have a Hamber trying to help me out with an LED conversion .
How did the LED conversion work out. I have one that the light is out it and would like to convert to the LED
Curious if you guys have made any ground with your LED conversion, I have the opportunity to pick up a very nice machine but have to take the owners word that it’s functional… in either case I’d like to convert it if it’s possible
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