[SEL] Friends and Igniters

[Curt Holland]

Welcome to this eccentric list Joe and thanks for the advice on ignitors.
I've got a question along the same lines concerning an ignitor on a 
Stickney.
A Stickney ignitor has a sliding electrode instead of a rotating 
electrode. Every single time I start to run my Stickney I have to remove 
the ignitor and with great effort remove the stuck moving electrode from 
the brass body it lives in. It is never rusty, but rather it is carboned 
up to the point that it sticks tight if left overnight.
Removing and cleaning the ignitor is just part of my starting procedure 
now, but it sure would be nice to eliminate this step!
The ignitor is in great shape with nice close tolerances and everything 
glides nicely when clean.
Should I be using a special oil to prevent the carbon build up? I've 
tried plain motor oil and 10wt. oil.
Any suggestions?
Curt Holland
Gastonia, NC

Joe & Jewel Maurer wrote:

>Hi Folks,
>
>I'm new to the list so I'm not sure if I'm doing this right but here goes.
>Met a bunch of new SEL friends at Baraboo and Portland.  Dave and Arnie,
>Steve and Mel and Pete to name just a few.  Enjoyed the Thursday night
>banquet and the good company.  I think a few of you are a little eccentric
>but then who isn't?
>
>Robert Bransen taught me a very valuable tip about igniters.  Carbon builds
>up on the moveable electrode and causes the shaft to drag.  You can trip it
>by hand or put a meter on it and it will act normal.  However, it doesn't
>take much drag to cause the engine to stop.  Try cleaning the shaft with
>carb cleaner and keep it well oiled.  This helps about 80% of igniter
>troubles when the igniter is in good condition.
>
>  
>