6 volt electronic ignition for 48 ford

The Pertronix is a good system. I have one in my '40 6 volt positive ground that has been there for ten years, with NO problems. That being said, I would not travel without a spare points distributor as backup. Your electrical system need be perfect for it to do it's job well and reliably. Generators tend to be electrically noisy, especially in poorly maintained electrical systems. I run a generator, no problem. I also use DOT 5 also, so, I tend to be different from some others.
 
Talk to the guy at: The Pit Stop, in Gary Texas. He knows flathead ignition, and carries all the pertronix stuff. I ran a 6volt, pos ground pertronix in my 53 Merc for 5-6 years with no problems. 903-685-2431
 
I like the Petronix system.I converted my system to 12 volts.Working on a car with a 6 volts system and have a petronix 6 volt set up for it .Make sure you also use their recommended coil.I have had one in the 12 volt system for 8 years now and have not had a bit of trouble.Sure beats the heck out the points.JMO.:cool:
 
I think he may have been asking about the 48 passenger car distributor. There used to be a couple guys (Remund was one) who did the Pertronix conversions on these, but nowadays I don't know who does. The problem is that it wasnt a stock Pertronix kit that fit.....I think it required some mods to the stock distributor. You can still buy their kit for the 49-53 upright type Load-a-matic distributor (we sell them), but that is a different setup altogether.

The other option is to purchase a Mallory Unilite or MSD brand electronic crab style distributor. They have their own reliability issues but the MSD is supposedly is better. Both are more expensive of course.

I still like the stock original Mallory type distributor that Ford used from 1942-48. Dual points and easy to set. Fits nicely in the engine package too.
 
I have a Pertronix 6 volt positive ground Igniter in my '52 F1 along with their Flamethrower 6 volt coil - a REALLY GOOD improvement over points!!
 
I also am running a Pertronix 6 volt positive ground on my 50 Ford. The only problem I have found is it is hard to start when. After it has fired and run for a few minutes, it starts great for the rest of the day. I am going to change the carb to a rebuilt unit to see if that fixes the problem.
 
I have used a Mickey Remund Pertronix ignition installed in the stock distributor on my '46 ford for over 10 years with no problems. It was a great improvement especially in the La. humidity and it's effect on ignition points. Contact Henry Downing at the Pit Stop in Texas for information. He pretty much has taken over the conversions after Remund stopped. The phone # (903) 685-2531 The only draw back to electronic is when they quit they are done. No side of the road repair. Best to keep a spare in the trunk just in case.
 
kraken said:
I also am running a Pertronix 6 volt positive ground on my 50 Ford. The only problem I have found is it is hard to start when. After it has fired and run for a few minutes, it starts great for the rest of the day. I am going to change the carb to a rebuilt unit to see if that fixes the problem.
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That's not the Pertronix's fault.
 
I ran a Philbin Mfg. conversion using the Pertronix module for five years and it was great until it died without warning one day, as apparently is their wont. I'm now back to the stock distributor with points and it runs fine, too. It also allows me to run an electronic tach which was not possible with the Philbin conversion. IMHO, other than bragging rights there is probably no significant difference between points and electronic, at least the way I drive my car.
 
I think it is a combination of Pertronix and the carb. If I put the points back in, the engine fires quick. With the Pertronix, it acts like it is flooding - the engine labors while trying to start. Pertonix says you need 5.2 volts to the ignitor while cranking, but the best I can get is 4.5 after making sure all connections were super clean. When I change the carb, I am expecting the problem to be fixed or greatly improved. I love the way the car runs with the Pertronix installed, so there is no way I am going back to points.
 
kraken said:
I think it is a combination of Pertronix and the carb. If I put the points back in, the engine fires quick. With the Pertronix, it acts like it is flooding - the engine labors while trying to start. Pertonix says you need 5.2 volts to the ignitor while cranking, but the best I can get is 4.5 after making sure all connections were super clean. When I change the carb, I am expecting the problem to be fixed or greatly improved. I love the way the car runs with the Pertronix installed, so there is no way I am going back to points.
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The next time you start it when its the first time for the day,
turn the switch on and wait for about 5 seconds or a little more
then hit the starter button. A while back had a car in and it was
odd at start up the first time, contacted pertronix and they said
it was a type one system that required this to build up a charge to
the ignitor.
 
Your 50 Ford does not have a balast resistor. they were used on pre 49 Fords, once Ford went to the new style distributor the resistor was eliminated. if your 50 has overdrive you will need to add a inline resistor to the wire that goes to the o.d. relay."Quote from Pertronix.. Our ignitor will not be harmed when using with an overdrive, however you may be required to run a 7 ohm 5 watt resistor in series with the ignitor"
 

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I guess the two cars got mixed up in this thread, at least in my mind they did. JDL is correct in that a 6 volt system on a post '48 car does not have a ballast resistor. The '48 and earlier did undert the dash. The consequence of such in a Pertronix system would be a voltage too low for the ignitor to function properly. Sorry if I confused anyone.
 
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