I would like to put breakerless ignition in the 1800, but I keep getting conflicting information. I understand the Crane unit is available and easy to install, but if hooked up does the tach still work??? Is there any breakerless ignition available that can be installed and allow the operation of the factory tach???

I have the diagram for the 1975 B20 hook up, but was recently informed that the system had reliability issues. True???

Thank you in advance....

Oliver
1966 1800S

Think of the tach wire running down to your condenser as the same wire that would come from the negative post of your coil to condnser if your car didn't have a tach (because it really is). The wire on the negative side of your coilis the same wire as that on your condenser, it just makes a loop inside the tach. If the instructions say to connect a particular wire to the negative side of the coil, just hook that wire to the tach wire formerly on your condenser.
I know I have a special talent for making it sound difficult but it really isn't.

I just installed the Crane on my '71. Works great. I think that you're trying to say that the negative wire on the coil goes through the tach and then to the condensor on the standard points unit. Just remove the wire from the condensor (white on mine) and attach to the negative lead from the Crane box. This puts the tach in the circuit. Crane includes instructions on adjusting the Smith's tach--if necessary. Nothing required on mine.
Rolfe--'71E

Thanks to all posters.

I think I at least have enough information to make a purchase now. Thanks again.

Oliver
66 1800S (Soon to be breakerless)

I just installed a pertronix breakerless ignition module on my B21A. Easy install and made a world of difference. The unit was $110 Canadian and for my engine (with vacuum advance) the part number was 1847V.

I have no knowledge of the Crane setup, but the '75 B-20 ignition is quite reliable. It's not useable with D-Jetronic injection, though.

I've got the Crane XR700 on my old 544 and I have a tach hooked up to it. No problmes. I think the Crane unit has a special terminal for the tach - if not you can always just hook it up to the coil wire as is done with the points. It just needs the pulsed ground that the coil also needs.

Granted, that isn't with an 1800 tach, but I don't think there is anything unusual about them. Other than they tend to read a bit high when baked in the sun :^)