Convert Proform ignition to Pertronix?
Thanks for the comments Bewy. Perhaps the design could be improved with big red letters on it saying DO NOT RUN DRY FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS OR IT WILL SEIZE! I have since seen this warning added to web sites that sell the pump, so I assume they have had returns for this reason. It may be rare for others, but my experience is 50% fail :) :(
Re the pressure switch, yes that's on the list and I fully agree, but I'm trying to do so many things at once the danger of crashing (in my garage) is low! I fitted the (1st) pump, it didn't start, I wondered if I had done something wrong, so I reconnected the fuel line to mechanical pump temporarily (which I knew worked, at least when cold) while I started looking at the ignition probs (fitted the EI same day). That's why it seized. For the second pump, I put an inline switch in so I could turn it off from the engine bay while working on the electrics - apart from anything else it makes a heck of a racket! And for a few days it was great - until the EI stopped working.
Yes, I know now not to run the pump dry. I had thought it would be like any other electric motor and have sealed bearings. Now I have checked how it works internally I see why it seized.
I guess I am sounding over-defensive - I don't mean to be, and I really do appreciate the advice from you and others in this forum.
I have lived with the heat soak for decades, only doing mechanical and body work while I have owned it. Now I am semi-retired I am trying to finally sort the heat soak from a start position of zero knowledge. I have learned in the last couple of months how to set points, adjust timing, how ignition works with and without ballast, measure dwell angle, wear gloves while rotating the distributor (!!!), track down and fix heat-associated conduction problems, play with fuel lines and vacuum hoses, adjust carbs, and much more. I have even learned not to rest my hand on the fan. It's been an interesting journey, but this knowledge comes without experience (which I am sure most will agree is a grim condition!).
My teachers have been forums like this, it's great to have so many experienced people give up their time to help, so hard for you to judge what a person asking a question knows or doesn't know, has tried or hasn't tried, and still give concise and helpful responses. Thanks again!
On an aside, this is a photo of my dash which I re-veneered with walnut myself about 30 years ago. Below it is the original formica (from another CV8). Interesting features are the green indicator lights behind the steering wheel, which can be flipped shut in case you don't want to know when you are indicating (huh?), and on the lower pic the central Selectaride switch below the air outlet, which adjusts the suspension to be very soft, soft, medium, or hard - or more accurately does very little. There is no "Park" on the gear selector, which is a real problem as the handbrake isn't great, even though it is a normal torqueflite box. I re-covered the leather dash-top then, it now has many fingernail scratches as the wheel is too close.
Thanks for the comments Bewy. Perhaps the design could be improved with big red letters on it saying DO NOT RUN DRY FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS OR IT WILL SEIZE! I have since seen this warning added to web sites that sell the pump, so I assume they have had returns for this reason. It may be rare for others, but my experience is 50% fail :) :(
Re the pressure switch, yes that's on the list and I fully agree, but I'm trying to do so many things at once the danger of crashing (in my garage) is low! I fitted the (1st) pump, it didn't start, I wondered if I had done something wrong, so I reconnected the fuel line to mechanical pump temporarily (which I knew worked, at least when cold) while I started looking at the ignition probs (fitted the EI same day). That's why it seized. For the second pump, I put an inline switch in so I could turn it off from the engine bay while working on the electrics - apart from anything else it makes a heck of a racket! And for a few days it was great - until the EI stopped working.
Yes, I know now not to run the pump dry. I had thought it would be like any other electric motor and have sealed bearings. Now I have checked how it works internally I see why it seized.
I guess I am sounding over-defensive - I don't mean to be, and I really do appreciate the advice from you and others in this forum.
I have lived with the heat soak for decades, only doing mechanical and body work while I have owned it. Now I am semi-retired I am trying to finally sort the heat soak from a start position of zero knowledge. I have learned in the last couple of months how to set points, adjust timing, how ignition works with and without ballast, measure dwell angle, wear gloves while rotating the distributor (!!!), track down and fix heat-associated conduction problems, play with fuel lines and vacuum hoses, adjust carbs, and much more. I have even learned not to rest my hand on the fan. It's been an interesting journey, but this knowledge comes without experience (which I am sure most will agree is a grim condition!).
My teachers have been forums like this, it's great to have so many experienced people give up their time to help, so hard for you to judge what a person asking a question knows or doesn't know, has tried or hasn't tried, and still give concise and helpful responses. Thanks again!
On an aside, this is a photo of my dash which I re-veneered with walnut myself about 30 years ago. Below it is the original formica (from another CV8). Interesting features are the green indicator lights behind the steering wheel, which can be flipped shut in case you don't want to know when you are indicating (huh?), and on the lower pic the central Selectaride switch below the air outlet, which adjusts the suspension to be very soft, soft, medium, or hard - or more accurately does very little. There is no "Park" on the gear selector, which is a real problem as the handbrake isn't great, even though it is a normal torqueflite box. I re-covered the leather dash-top then, it now has many fingernail scratches as the wheel is too close.
