Zipper Distributor??

spdway1

spdway1

Well-known member
Does anyone have suggestions (dumb question on the Barn) on the Zipper distributor? My friend has one in his 60's mustang and he loves it.
From the ad:
Available in PerTronix Electronic Ignition or Modern points - your choice.
The Zipper is available in 6-volt and 8-volt, positive and negative ground, and 12-volt negative ground. It has centrifugal advance and retard controlled by engine speed. It advances and retards in first and second gear as well as high gear. This is a great feature in city traffic, and rolling hills. One less thing to worry about in heavy traffic.The advance is 26 to 28 degrees at 2000 rpm and can be altered to fit your needs. Up to 35 degrees for OHV conversions.
This distributor has oil impregnated bushings that are align honed for a perfect fit - no need to oil them. Stock Model A cap, rotor, and body will fit on the ZIPPER.
 
FS ignitions out of Ponca City Oklahoma is a first rate outfit. 4 of these Zippers just made a 4000 mile trip to Marquette, MI. and back.
 
One guy in the club has one, he says it was a nightmare to set up but he does not seem to have any complaints once it was done.
 
The major thing that has kept me away so far has been the "leave your key on and fry the electronics" thing. May not be an issue, just didn't want to fry a $500 piece of equipment just 'cause I forgot to turn the key off some time or another. And at my age, forgetfulness is just a part of life.

I may rethink that.
 
CarlG said:
The major thing that has kept me away so far has been the "leave your key on and fry the electronics" thing. May not be an issue, just didn't want to fry a $500 piece of equipment just 'cause I forgot to turn the key off some time or another. And at my age, forgetfulness is just a part of life.

I may rethink that.
Click to expand...
How do you turn your car off if you don't use the ignition switch?
 
Blessyouboys said:
How do you turn your car off if you don't use the ignition switch?
Click to expand...
My thought would be while working / troubleshooting on it. Just seems like 30 seconds seems to come quite quickly.

Another scenario would be that if you had your car out in the driveway idling to warm up or whatever, went back into the garage to get something and the engine died and you didn't get back to it within the alloted 30 seconds, you've just toasted a 5-c note!
 
Isn't the zipper set up with an safety shutoff so it won't fry itself or work if wired wrong? Have one on my 30 Coupe and like it alot.
 
CarlG said:
My thought would be while working / troubleshooting on it. Just seems like 30 seconds seems to come quite quickly.

Another scenario would be that if you had your car out in the driveway idling to warm up or whatever, went back into the garage to get something and the engine died and you didn't get back to it within the alloted 30 seconds, you've just toasted a 5-c note!
Click to expand...

you would just fry the module, not the whole unit. The modules are around $150 to replace i think.
 
Is the manual spark advance still operable? For, like, if you want to retard it a bit pulling a hill.

Steve
 
steve s said:
Is the manual spark advance still operable? For, like, if you want to retard it a bit pulling a hill.

Steve
Click to expand...

no it is not. but the it sets the advance according to the driving conditions. It will retard itself on hills.
 
I believe the spare module for mine was about $80, but mel can tell you for sure. I keep it in the car just in case, along with my old stock dist.
 
Jordan said:
no it is not. but the it sets the advance according to the driving conditions. It will retard itself on hills.
Click to expand...

Does the advance depend only on rpm or rpm plus engine load/vacuum? In other words, when it retards itself on hills, is it doing so in response to anything beside rpm? If not, that's not good enough (for me). Thanks!

Steve
 
carlg, just came across a note from Mel at FS Ignitions regarding the "new" zipper distributor. No worry about meltdown problems.

Subject Emailing: Zipper Prototype November 2007 021.jpg
Attachments Zipper Prototype November 2007 021.jpg 42K Zipper Prototype November 2007 003.jpg 637K

Sorry I can not provide better information than this we are just now
getting this off the ground. The Zipper (Named this due to the fact it is
hardly noticeable but really handy.) has 28 degrees advance @ approx. 1750
rpm, electronic ignition (Pertronix) oil impregnated bushings and uses a lot
of stock Model A parts, and 30 month limited warranty.
We use the Ignitor Two module by Pertronix which automatically turns power off to the module if the engine is not running, will not dammage unit if mis wired on installation. And provides more spark than points or the Ignitor One.
More information @www.pertronix.com USD $430.00 plus USD $8.00 US. Price
includes coil. Try it, if you like it send us a check. If you are not happy
with it send it back. The way things are going it will most likely be about
three weeks delivery. (Very small shop JD and I) Thanks for the inqury Mel
Mallory
 
Since this thread is still running I can add that we installed a 6 volt Zipper on our roadster. There are some wiring changes that need to be made but the instructions and markings on the wires are very complete and it went smoothly. The car fired on the first touch of the starter. This was something because the car had stopped running due to an original distributor failure prior to our trip to Marquette so has sat for months.
 
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