News Page.
Dear Sunbeam Lovers,
*********I am having a break for the Summer to visit a friend in far off lands. I have extended my stay. The full Beamspark kits will be on sale from 4th August. So not to worry all will be back to normal on my return **************
There seems to be some controversy as to why electronic ignition is the way to go on the Sunbeam engine.
The problem is not with the ignition system more to do with the distributor.
The distributor is a Lucas car distributor modified to fit and run on the Sunbeam engine. First problem is it runs horizontally, the drive being a peg in a hole in the camwheel. The camshaft lubrication system is directly beside the distributor drive, so to prevent oil entering the distributor an oilseal is fitted in the distributor body.
Another problem with the distributor is the contact breaker mechanism. This is fitted on the lower part of the mounting plate of the distributor.
So an oil seal failure will result in the distributor filling up with oil and consequently fouling the contact breaker.
This actually happened to me on my first S8 while I was on holiday in Torquay some 400 miles from home.
This is why I specify turning the points plate 180 degrees to the top ( out of harms way ). My dummy distributor cap has a drain hole for any oil leakage as well.
My ignition unit , the Beamspark also has a secondary high voltage pulse momentarily across the points to clean them. So adjustment is set and forget !
The Beamspark units in six and twelve volt are extremely reliable.
John Moseley
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Kits are tested, includes full illustrated fitting instructions.
If you want a kit or part kit get your order in asap.
I send kits out of the door immediately.
Please specify which type of distributor cap you require, standard or slimline, satin black or natural aluminium finish.
Contact me at :- ** [email protected] **
or [email protected]
[email protected]
* Beamspark 6 or 12 volt kits post free UK £109 *
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Back by popular demand- Dynamo pole piece screws
Set of four £ 12 ( Post free UK )
Extended oil pipe for those bikes with a sump extension.
( Reaches right to the bottom for the cooler oil. )
£15 ( Post free UK )
New polished distributor cap shown below. I manufacture the distributor cap in batches of ten. Each one takes approximately one day of machining on a small lathe, then milling operations and finally drilling and tapping. A two coat finish in satin black or natural finish satin aluminium of your choice.
Shown below the all new Mark 3 Beamspark ( see start page for details and offer )
Showing the distributor as it would be mounted on the engine, but now the contact breaker plate is reversed so points are at the top making adjustment and timing much easier. ( If oil seal fails on distributor shaft the points do not get covered in oil ). The distributor cap has a drain hole at bottom. Full written and pictorial instructions are supplied with the kit.
Reversing the points plate is simply a matter of removing the two slotted head screws and rotating the plate 180 degrees.
The white wire is shown connected directly to the points underneath the plastic 'tophat'. The wire and support loop are supplied as part of the kit. Picture below shows a black wire on my Sunbeam.
