Mechanical Ignition Handbook: The Hack Mechanic guide to vintage ignition systems

Very informative book, covers care and maintenance very well, and convinced me that retro fitting electronic ignition makes a lot of sense. I knew a guy who actually replaced the electronic ignition in his new car. He was that afraid of no possible way to troubleshoot the system if it failed (remote possibility). Actually diagnosing electronic systems is well documented. But I digress, the book was entertaining and very informative, so much so that I am seriously considering buying his companion book to this. that book is titled "The Hack Mechanic to European Automotive Electrical Systems." But I am not into Euro cars so I need to find out if the info transfers to other cultures. Also promising is the authors "Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic" Needless to say I enjoyed this book, and that's the best way to learn.

Sometimes things get done with a great deal of enthusiasm chased by staggering ignorance. This was the case of me replacing what I had thought was going to be a failed cylinder head gasket. Turns out the head was cracked and needed to be replaced. After replacing the head, there was a whole lot more than just getting piston #1 at TDC. The careful alignment marks I made on the distributor were no longer relevant. I was not doing well and the engine ran like a bag of knuckles. But the information in this book rescued me. Rob knows what to do and he knows how to explain it in a way that makes sense. I know how to check the dwell, time the engine statically and dynamically (use the flywheel ball not the crankshaft pulley marks on a E3!) Thanks Rob, again. Someday when cars are just rolling robots your books will be revered as rosetta stones to keep our electro-mechanial heaps running.

Rob Siegel has an unparalleled ability to write a book that simultaneously entertains and informs, so that I am equally happy reading it propped on the nightstand or the inner fender, but for very different reasons. His books contain a wealth of information, to provide a deep understanding of how automotive systems work, but so well presented that when I am trying to figure out why the @#$%* thing won't act right, I can get straight to the problem, all without having to have a degree in rocket surgery to do it. But he also tells stories. Either is worth the price of admission, but together, they are priceless.

This is a terrific book for anyone who works on vintage cars with mechanical (points) ignitions. I thought I knew how to tune my old car, but this book filled in a lot of gaps in my knowledge and suggested some things to me that helped me make the car run better. Highly recommended for shade-tree and professional mechanics.Ray King

Meh. Not really a ‘books worth’ of info. Probably good if you’re new to Kettering type ignitions. Nothing at all wrong with it, though. The author likes BMWs, they are often the ‘example vehicle’ which is fine. He seems personable, easy reading.

I am old, so I really got a kick out of realizing that the autmotive basics of yesteryear are mythical lore to the newbiesalso, I love Siegel's style

My husband liked it.

Very informative book. Learned a lot. Thank you.

This book sets out in an easy-to-read manner just how all of the parts of the per-computer age auto ignition system functions. It then builds on this knowledge.

Like all his work, Rob Siegel puts basic ignition servicing into a logical, step by step process, with some humour thrown in. Must have for working on older, analogue cars.