39 ignition
- Thread starter Viroid
- Start date
petehoovie
Well-known member
Why would you want an electronic ignition system as opposed to the original???
Hi there. The simple answer to your first question is NO. Converting to 12 volt system requires many items to be changed or modified as in, all bulbs, generator and regulator, ignition system, instruments, horns, wiper motor if electric. Starter motor might survive OK on 12 volts. Why would you want to change a good 6 volt system. Just fix whats wrong with it if there is a problem. Give us more information on your project. Regards, Kevin.
mrtexas
Well-known member
Yes you can get pertronix for 39 6v system
RKS.PA
Well-known member
I recently went through this thought process with my '39. About 20 years ago I replaced my "helmet" dist. with a Mallory dual point with a three bolt attachment. Great dist. and I could set the timing with my induction light by rotating the dist. Finally the front bearing in the Mallory wore out the the point gap and dwell was all over the place.
I posted my problem here on the Barn a few months ago, and got a wonderful education on dizzys and coils. I converted to a '41--'42 crab. It's a two bolt and I had to buy an adapter plate from Speedway. I also had to make a vacuum line because the stock one didn't mate with my Offy intake manifold....no big deal.
Bottom line, this is a wonderful dist. and my 59AB runs better now than it every did even when the Mallory was new.
I investigated the 6 volt electronic with all the discussion about coils and non-solid ignition wires and couldn't see any advantage. You'll read lots of pros and cons here and my experience says go with the dual point, mechanical advance with the vacuum brake. You won't be disappointed.
Dick.
I posted my problem here on the Barn a few months ago, and got a wonderful education on dizzys and coils. I converted to a '41--'42 crab. It's a two bolt and I had to buy an adapter plate from Speedway. I also had to make a vacuum line because the stock one didn't mate with my Offy intake manifold....no big deal.
Bottom line, this is a wonderful dist. and my 59AB runs better now than it every did even when the Mallory was new.
I investigated the 6 volt electronic with all the discussion about coils and non-solid ignition wires and couldn't see any advantage. You'll read lots of pros and cons here and my experience says go with the dual point, mechanical advance with the vacuum brake. You won't be disappointed.
Dick.
As I understand it, coils are 6 volts to the distributor. At least that what I was told by the Pertronix people. Anyway you can use an electronic ignition unit in a "helmet" style distributor. To my knowledge nobody makes a kit but you can do it yourself. I used a Pertronix module in my '39 dizzy and it works fine. Unfortunately being new to these types of systems, I foolishly left the ignition on while I was chasing a lighting prob and fried the original coil (which had been concerted to 12 volts) so I used a modern coil (without an internal resistor) with adapter. I'll go back to a rebuilt gennie coil as funds permit. But in short, yeah, you can do it.
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