Another E-Failure

Good to see it was sorted by Clive and you're up and running !


I must be lucky with the modded crab with 12V Pertronix I put together 10 yrs ago. Still going strong !


No to hijack, I just buttoned up a buddy's 59A and he wanted an E Fire so will be looking to fire it soon but want to confirm the correct coil resistance.


Similar to Pertronix, the right coil is paramount as are spiral core wires and engine grounds etc. I've been advised the coil needs to be 1.5 Ohms without a ballast resistor or 3 Ohms if you run the ballast resistor.


Sound logical enough, can anyone confirm to be sure?
 
Blownflatheaddeuce said:
Good to see it was sorted by Clive and you're up and running !


I must be lucky with the modded crab with 12V Pertronix I put together 10 yrs ago. Still going strong !


No to hijack, I just buttoned up a buddy's 59A and he wanted an E Fire so will be looking to fire it soon but want to confirm the correct coil resistance.


Similar to Pertronix, the right coil is paramount as are spiral core wires and engine grounds etc. I've been advised the coil needs to be 1.5 Ohms without a ballast resistor or 3 Ohms if you run the ballast resistor.


Sound logical enough, can anyone confirm to be sure?
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Yes, that what I did with my Ignitor I, but I think it also depends on which version of the Pentronix unit you have. The directions are crystal clear as to what is needed.
 
My concern here is tuning. Without a vacuum signal, How can the ignition timing be controlled for loading conditions of the engine. Did I miss something
Gramps
 
A little OT. But what is the consensus on the new mallory 42-48 dual point distributor? No electronics. Are these worth considering. Inquiring minds..
 
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my4dv8 said:
A little OT. But what is the consensus on the new mallory 42-48 dual point distributor? No electronics.
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Since Mallory was bought out by Holley (via MSD) a long time ago, I don't think they are making anything new anymore.

More information, please.
 
I am addicted to the old ones, but I have heard that the new ones come with a Chevrolet timing curve that will give you a total advance at speed of around 36 degrees. Because of the combustion chamber design in a flathead, they only want something in the low to mid 20's, so the advance is all wrong (it comes in too late too, I believe). I seem to remember that they came with a plastic key that would allow the advance to be limited properly, so if it doesn't have one, it's probably a bad deal.

Other than that, all I can add is that new is usually not better these days.

I should add that I am talking 8BA post style distributors here. My knowledge on the earlier models is even more sparse.
 
From what I have observed they are supposedly a high performance unit ,that means higher spring pressure on the points = premature rubbing block ware not good for street use .
 
richard crow said:
why do people buy that stuff when the original ford dist is a good reilable unit & trouble free.
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They have been brainwashed into believing points are unreliable, high-maintenance, and just generally evil. Or could be they just need the latest "shiny" thing.
 
Agree with Rich b, and most folks think that "new" is better and I quite frankly believe the opposite !
 
People use them because they get tired of trying bad coil after bad coil and bad condenser after bad condenser. And they don’t know the one person who hand-makes coils and the one person who hand-makes condensers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they make them. Just not everyone knows about them.

Why does H&H use these E-Fires?
 
Fritz said:
People use them because they get tired of trying bad coil after bad coil and bad condenser after bad condenser. And they don’t know the one person who hand-makes coils and the one person who hand-makes condensers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they make them. Just not everyone knows about them.

Why does H&H use these E-Fires?
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Because it's fast and easy. They also use new crankshafts and rods. Less time machining parts. Faster turn around times for engine rebuilds. There is nothing wrong with this. H&H does a good job from what I've heard and seen. I enjoy their videos on Instagram.
 
That certainly makes sense. I’m sure reliability and customer satisfaction is a reason too. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t hear people with those engines complaining about them not running. They must be doing something right with the electronic ignitions.
 
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