Ever see one of these?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Myself · 10-17-2006, 02:19 PM

I picked up this Radio Shack, Archer kit at an auction. It's a performance Capacitive Discharge Ignition that you build yourself. I don't really have a need for it I just thought it was pretty cool, and it will make good trade material. It's still in the original packaging with all the parts. The assembly manual is dated 1971. It even has a bypass switch so you can run with the CDI on, or just regular ignition. This would be awesome for a period correct hot rod. Any old guys on here that have actually used one of these??

woodchip · 10-17-2006, 07:56 PM

I built one of these back in the 70s.It was not a Archer Kit I built mine from a set of prints. I used it on the 68 i am restoring now,work great, I still have it.

72 Cheyenne402 · 10-17-2006, 08:37 PM

wHAT DOES THIS DO AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

cdowns · 10-17-2006, 09:54 PM

yeah radio shack used to have alot of cool stuff like that back then it was sort of like science project stuff in fact i think they had a cruise control and a reverb box for cars that you could build// i went in there last week looking for insulating washers(nylon or fiber) for my electrial system redo and they had no idea what i was talking about.

gouldie · 10-17-2006, 11:16 PM

what does it do?

cdowns · 10-17-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gouldie

what does it do?

its an early model electronic ignition it fires the sparkplugs

Aarons72s · 10-17-2006, 11:34 PM

I agree that radio shck used to be a cool place. Now it seems like all they sell is cell phones. Nice find!
Aaron

BowTieOgre · 10-18-2006, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarons72s

I agree that radio shck used to be a cool place. Now it seems like all they sell is cell phones. Nice find!
Aaron

Yep...batteries and cell phones. I asked where their IDE cables for computers where and the clerk looked at me like I had spark plugs sticking out of my nose.

woodchip · 10-18-2006, 11:31 AM

Hey 72Cheynne402
Its called a Capacitive discharge system,It takes the high curent load off the points. Makes the points just a switching device. Keeps the points from burning up. Also puts a higher voltage to plugs 40,000-45,000 volts.runs better and better gas mileage, kindly like a HEI.

Myself · 10-18-2006, 12:43 PM

Exactly, it's like HEI before there was any such thing. You can keep the stock points distributer and still have a high performance ignition. Here's another pic I found of an old Cragar unit.

qksilver · 10-18-2006, 08:48 PM

What was that other company, I remember building a short wave radio from one of their kits. Heath or something like that.
Cool stuff

fletch1212 · 10-18-2006, 11:26 PM

Heathkit is the company you are thinking of. I still have a Heathkit tach/dwell meter that my father built in the 70's.

10-17-2006, 02:19 PM	#1
Myself Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Arkansas Posts: 1,142	Ever see one of these?? I picked up this Radio Shack, Archer kit at an auction. It's a performance Capacitive Discharge Ignition that you build yourself. I don't really have a need for it I just thought it was pretty cool, and it will make good trade material. It's still in the original packaging with all the parts. The assembly manual is dated 1971. It even has a bypass switch so you can run with the CDI on, or just regular ignition. This would be awesome for a period correct hot rod. Any old guys on here that have actually used one of these?? Attached Images

10-17-2006, 07:56 PM	#2
woodchip Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lexington N.C. Posts: 160	Re: Ever see one of these?? I built one of these back in the 70s.It was not a Archer Kit I built mine from a set of prints. I used it on the 68 i am restoring now,work great, I still have it. __________________ 98 Chevy Z71 1500 extended cab 99 Dodge carvan es 68 Chevy C10 LWB 50TH 396 eng 400 Trans 62 Wheel Horse tractor in good shape

10-17-2006, 08:37 PM	#3
72 Cheyenne402 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 581	Re: Ever see one of these?? wHAT DOES THIS DO AND HOW DOES IT WORK? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne 402 LWB 2005 Silverado X-Cab 5.3L 2004 John Deere L120 20HP B&S

10-17-2006, 09:54 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Ever see one of these?? yeah radio shack used to have alot of cool stuff like that back then it was sort of like science project stuff in fact i think they had a cruise control and a reverb box for cars that you could build// i went in there last week looking for insulating washers(nylon or fiber) for my electrial system redo and they had no idea what i was talking about. __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-17-2006, 11:16 PM	#5
gouldie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: daytona beach Posts: 101	Re: Ever see one of these?? what does it do?

10-17-2006, 11:34 PM	#7
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,669	Re: Ever see one of these?? I agree that radio shck used to be a cool place. Now it seems like all they sell is cell phones. Nice find! Aaron

10-18-2006, 11:31 AM	#9
woodchip Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lexington N.C. Posts: 160	Re: Ever see one of these?? Hey 72Cheynne402 Its called a Capacitive discharge system,It takes the high curent load off the points. Makes the points just a switching device. Keeps the points from burning up. Also puts a higher voltage to plugs 40,000-45,000 volts.runs better and better gas mileage, kindly like a HEI. __________________ 98 Chevy Z71 1500 extended cab 99 Dodge carvan es 68 Chevy C10 LWB 50TH 396 eng 400 Trans 62 Wheel Horse tractor in good shape Last edited by woodchip; 10-18-2006 at 11:33 AM.

10-18-2006, 12:43 PM	#10
Myself Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Arkansas Posts: 1,142	Re: Ever see one of these?? Exactly, it's like HEI before there was any such thing. You can keep the stock points distributer and still have a high performance ignition. Here's another pic I found of an old Cragar unit. Attached Images

10-18-2006, 08:48 PM	#11
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: Ever see one of these?? What was that other company, I remember building a short wave radio from one of their kits. Heath or something like that. Cool stuff

10-18-2006, 11:26 PM	#12
fletch1212 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 4	Re: Ever see one of these?? Heathkit is the company you are thinking of. I still have a Heathkit tach/dwell meter that my father built in the 70's.



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