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September 29th, 2008

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Q & A: 1979 MGB Opus Electronic Ignition System

Thursday March 27th, 2003
Q & A, MGA, MGB, MGC, MG T-Type, Midget
John, My 79 MGB appears to still have the "opus" electronic ignition system (68,000 miles). I put 1,000 miles on the car this summer after 3 years of "fixing" and on my last drive of the year it quit on me. After sitting for awhile it would restart and run and then quit, requiring a tow home.

The car will run if the "drive resister" can be kept cool - but I don't believe that's the root of the problem. The Moss motors catalog identifies the Opus electronic ignition as unreliable - I haven't found out what was unreliable - did they tend to cause failure by overheating the systems?

Page 126 of the "Official Workshop Manual" identifies replacement of the "amplifier module" in three of the four options when ignition failure is occurring. The coil seems to be fine (fourth option).

What's your advice? I'm considering replacement of the old amplifier assembly with a new electronic ignition system (Crane, Ignitor).

Thank you.
Russ Holder

Russ!

There are two types of Lucas Electronic Ignitions fitted as "original equipment" to the MGBs. The first system is the inbuilt OPUS Electronic Ignition. This unit has the amplifier unit built into the side ... read more