6 volt electronic ignition

Also, please remember that any pre 57 Y block distributor MUST be connected to the carburetor type it came from the factory with. Any change in carburetor and a change to a 57 type dizzy is a must. The upside is a greatly increased performance, and the newer dizzy is not expensive.
 
I agree with Don, and the old loadmatic distributers will only work properly with the original carb. In my opinion, they were a POS.
 
Yes, I agree and should have mentioned going to the later carb/distributor but I assumed he wanted to keep it original looking since he specifically asked about 6v positive ground. Pertronix doesn't make a 6v + ground ignition for the later distributor.
Personally I run a later distributor with an Ignitor III that has multi-spark and a rev limiter in my '55. But originally I used the 6v one and it really improved the way the car ran.
 
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Dont quite get the deal Must be connected to original style carb..Sorry about the confusion but did not think carb had anything to do with italthouigh i think my carb is original for the 272 cu in..Thanks
 
The deal is... if you want to keep the original carb you have to use the original distributor, whether you use the Pertronix or not. Original carb + original distributor = matched set. Thing is your original distributor is vacuum advance only.

The guys are suggesting to use a later distributor ('57 up) because it has both vacuum and mechanical advance and performs better. BUT if you use the later distributor you must use a later carb. Later carb + later distributor = matched set.

I hope that sorta makes sense.

Back to your original question, Yes, Pertronix make a 6v + ground ignition.
 
I have read where they do make an igniter for the late model flathead, but what is written above pertains to the distributor on 49 to 53 flathead distributors too. If you change carbs, change the distributor as well.
 
For Itsa52 - I've had a 6 V petronix on my stock '49 flathead V8 for about 3 years now with no problems (so far). Works well and runs great.
 
Thanks for the carb and distributor info..You got me all straightened out and i think the Petronix sounds like the way to go Thanks Barners PS Blockhead you have given me at least 2 cents worth..LOL
 
If you begin to have a problem starting, be aware that all of your wiring must be totally good. I had a starting problem with Pertronix unit and found that, while the battery cables appeared in good shape, they lost voltage during the starter engagement period. I made up new cable using 0 guage welding cable and viola, fixed the problem.

In talking to Pertronix technician, he said that the unit must have 5 volts during starting to activate the Pertronix unit; mine had 4.2 during the starting phase! I had gone through 3 new batteries 'til I figured this out. Male sure you keep the points, condenser and the original wire for the distributor in the trunk in case you run into a problem on the road.
 
To add to what Motorhead6 said, don't accidentally leave your key in the 'on' position because you may burn it up. For the Ignitor II and III. Pertronix fixed this problem.

I never had a problem with my original Pertronix until this happened. I couldn't find a listing for 6v Ignitor II so just be aware.
 
If you change to a '57 up distributor, you can still keep the original carb and feed the vacuum advance with manifold vacuum. You cannot use the original vacuum port on the carb as it supplies a relatively minute ( 2" hg) mixture of manifold and venturi vacuum, also, there is no source of ported vacuum on the carb. If you had asked about using a later ('57 up) carb, then you must match it with a later distributor that does not rely on only a vacuum signal for advancing. good luck : Bruce
 
Bruce, I think we are all in agreement that a '57 up distributor would be a better choice except there is no 6v + ground electronic ignition made for the newer distributor... which his car is.
 
Sorry,I must be missing something, but I can not find where he says he already has the later dist..If it's a stock '55-272 it should have the original stock loadamatic. Apparently there is no six volt positive ground electronic unit available but as a few have already stated, going to the '57-up distributor would be a huge step in the right direction, and I see no reason to change the carb, only find a new source for manifold vacuum to the dist.. Cheers : Bruce
 
Bruce, sorry I confused you. I could have worded my response better. I meant his car is 6v + ground, not that he has a '57 up distributor. He has a Load-o-matic and pertronix DOES make a 6v + ground unit for the Load-o.

And that is what he asked in his original question which I answered in my original response.
 
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A stock 55 two barrel engine is still a very good engine if well tuned. Mine would scare the snot out of many people at a stop light, some surprised me too!
 
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