All this is very clever stuff. I'd never have thought to try a capacitor from some completely different thing. The trouble is as I see it, it's the cheap component thing has invaded everything, mostly. I work in care, and everything from toasters to washing machines nowadays - pot luck. May last a week, a month or a year. Always sorted out on the guarantee, but I hate to think what happens with all the waste when we're given new things by the manufacturer.

Bosch washing machines are notable for being better, even the entry level ones. So there is some hope. An engineer told me they are visibly that bit better quality components inside. But then I know from the Mercedes world that Bosch car parts are a bit pot luck now. Sad really.

@jasu
I would be very interest in seeing the photos of the Lada Samara conversion if you can find them

Did find some photos, they are some more but they only need to find first. Here You go..:


Drilled hole big enough to allow trigger wheel through...


HALL-sensor what "read" is there metal at sensor gap. "Good Old USSR", inside parts made in USA...


Cut the trigger wheel so there is only two "windows" now. Drilled the center hole to fit original contact breaker cam, drilled and tapped holes wich mount trigger wheel to cam plate...


New made cover plate, 3mm anodised aluminium, red led indicating "when points are open", to adjust the static ignition...

Made that with only bench drill, no milling or lathe needed. Cost was a small fraction of 123-ignition, and quite fast to make...

The date at photos, took them when installed the ignition. Made it before summer 2004, if I recall correct, that was on winter 2003-2004. Installed just day or two after we went home from WM Sweden...

Wow that's very ingenious.

I found some railway sleepers being thrown away. Only one is actually a railway sleeper I think, another is a shortened one and the third is just a good bit of wood.

Anyway was very impressed they fitted in the 2cv. I did remove the front passenger seat and rear seat before picking them up. Just fitted if nudged up on the front toe board. Slid in easily. Even the boot closed OK.

What a amazing little buggy.

I did shift a 2 meter ladder in the car under the front and rear seat till the toe board. And shut the lid. People looked on very curious...

I've been on tour in the Deuche. Only the normal trip it has always done, down to South Devon for a week. It has been an absolute blast. I realised it's only been as far as Bristol and back for a while, as the last two Devon trips it had lost so much power and was awful on the motorway.
It's been tuned now anyway and what a blast. It is back to it's hilariously roaring little self.

All the way down with the roof open roof. (About 3.5hrs.) Roof open any time I went anywhere. (To buy supplies from the bakery in the nearest town because camping on the beach.)
Felt like I was in France.

Incredible economy too. And really zoomy up hills. Fun.

Nice, i like driving the countryside too.

I like to drive from here to lake Ballaton and make a tour around the lake and back home again.
Just a bit disappointing is that the van has no roof I can open .
The AZ will be perfect in summer.

You can cut a sunroof in it.... But not as a colleague at the paper did. At the time you could but glass sunroofs at Wickes or Praxis. He did cut a hole in his Opel's roof and yes the glass hatch fell into the car.... He was very lucky they still had a bit larger size sunroof on sale...