Just worked out costings for the ignition system parts needed for getting the engine going. The difference in cost between genuine military bits and a hacked-together system with 12v parts is quite amazing…

Original Military System with New/Reconditioned Parts: £295.52

Dodgy DIY System: £80.34 It’s sad that the price difference is so great, really. I’d love to have replaced the parts with originals, but £200 is a lot of money and could be better spent on the rest of the engine parts I need (carb, hoses and whathaveyou).