Dinoplex - restore or replace?

[HugoHarris]

I have a 2.4 spider with a non functioning Dinoplex. The car is presently running on points. I have 3 options I think: Get the Dinoplex restored in Italy for around Euro 1K; Replace the innards with modern (e.g. Bosch) circuitry within the Dinoplex housing; replace the whole system with a modern unit. My main concern is reliability. If I go to the expense of keeping things original am I likely to run into problems with the Dinoplex down the line? The seller of the very pretty blue spider in the States posted recently that his MSD unit was far better than the original functioning Dinoplex. Do others have a view on this? My car is original and unmolested, built in 1970 and registered 1971, fitted with the large Dinoplex unit. Your views welcome.

[alh]

If the original BZR205A ignition coil is still there and functional i would recommend repairing the Dinoplex. A professional repair should be very reliable, and most of the parts are still easily available. The most common defect is a failure of one or both of the inverter transistors (2N3773), these cost around $4 a piece and take about one hour to replace.
Regarding the repair cost, if it's just a repair and not a full restoration (e.g. refinishing of the case, new labels, wires etc), then 1K is quite over the top. A standard repair takes 1-2 hours with testing, and a full rebuild including a new transformer is around 4-6 hours plus the transformer cost, which is still way below 1K.

Repair instructions: http://www.dinoplex.org/aec101diag/aec101diag.html

If the original BZR205A coil is broken or missing, then doing a high performance Bosch/optical switch conversion is the best choice if originality is a concern, IMHO.
The cheapest plug and play solution is to install an MSD 6A ignition/coil, it won't look original but is quite similar to the original Dinoplex setup.

A Dino will run similar with a good (non broken) Dinoplex or an MSD 6A, the spark output and voltage are similar. The only difference between the two is the multi spark feature below 3000 RPM, which makes cold and warm starts a bit easier but next to that there is no real difference when driving.

Good luck,
Adrian

[HugoHarris]

Thanks Adrian for the detailed reply. I really appreciate it, this is just the advice I needed. Happily I have a functioning BZR205A coil. Repairing the Dinoplex is beyond my skills. Can you or anyone else recommend a company in the UK to do this for me?

[Tobi]

As Adrian has already written, a repair of your Dinoplex would be the perfect solution. A working BZR205A is worth it's weight in gold. You do not need an electronics engineer to repair it. Anyone who's good in handling a soldering iron and knows how to measure a resistance should be able to do it with Adrian's instructions. You might have one of these guys in your circle of friends and save a lot of money.

[HugoHarris]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will see if my local classic car shop can help out.

[alh]

A small electronic component shop in your area should be able recommend some of their customers who can do the work. Classic car shops are usually not very much interested (or equipped/experienced) in doing electronics repairs though. I can support the workshop/repair guy via email if required.

Did a quick google for "power electronic repairs" in the UK and this one turned up:
http://www.qesltd.co.uk/services/power- ... cs-repair/

[HugoHarris]

Thanks Adrian. You seem to be the guy that keeps half the world's Dinoplexes alive! Credit to you, and this excellent community of Dino nuts. I'll ship it over to my local electronics shop (http://www.oxfordpowershop.co.uk). The unit whines when in Normale mode but the engine doesn't fire up, so maybe it isn't a transistor issue. In any case I will give them your website instructions and ask them email you only as a last resort. I'll let you know how I get on. Many thanks again.

[Dino John]

http://www.dinoplex.org
My Spider is a '67 with chassis 0000456,at first I thought my dinoplex was just missing or had been replaced but after reading this article it seems that the factory installed
dinoplex were fitted from 0833 on…Just wondering if I should replace the old unit or start looking to install a dinoplex…Any thoughts ?
Also does anyone know if the other number 0000466 is in relation to the paint code and if so what colour would it be…
Any help would be much appreciated.
Cheers

[Tobi]

Does your Spider have any other kind of ignition system now or still no ignition as delivered? Many early cars have been equipped with a Dinoplex later by the dealers upon introduction in the series, so a Dinoplex can still be considered as original even if the car came without one. It's kind of a works upgrade. As already discussed above, you should strive for a Dinoplex in any case. If you already have another working ignition system, be happy and try to get one somewhen. If you have no ignition system at all, try to get a Dinoplex and get an MSA or something similar in the meantime.
Regarding the number, I don't know about a color #466, maybe it's the motor number.

[Dinoswede]

Dino John; Your chassis number plate with number 0466 stamped - it is not a colour code - it is the Fiat spare parts number (according to the description of the chassis number plate in the original Fiat Dino spare parts catalogues). The third number 4954 should be a homologation number, but I guess you have figured that out, already.

/ Dinoswede