Pertronix ignition

[Tim Ayers]

"right coil", I used pertronixs for yrs with a coil from a junkyard. was from some sort of Ford truck that worked with my point system. Used that coil with a pertronix for yrs until the coil went belly up

It's not the brand that really matters, its the ohms rating of the coil that needs to match.

Can only speak for my unit, but it needed a 1.5 ohm coil and that is what I've used.

I think the Petronix units use either a 1.5 or 3 ohm depending on the unit you have. It's all spelled out clearly in the directions.

 

[solidaxle]

I use the old 6 volt Mallory C5000 " Best Coil Ever Made" with good results. It's a tank and is old school. You can find them on Ebay every once and a while

 

[tubman]

I use the old 6 volt Mallory C5000 " Best Coil Ever Made" with good results. It's a tank and is old school. You can find them on Ebay every once and a while

I'm with you. I have a bunch of them and have never had a bad one. However, the eBay connection is essentially dead. I got my last one on there over a year ago, and it was missing it's bracket. I also paid more than I wanted. Let's face it though; a guy who puts "The Best Coil I Ever Made" right on the coil must be pretty sure of himself (and his stuff).

 

[47fraser]

I know this is a very old thread, but has anyone used an external electronic firing module?
The problem with points is that they wear out due to the current they are switching and also the condenser can fail causing more problems. With an external electronic module you still use the points to trigger the firing but it's only switching a very small current so your points never burn out and you don't need the condenser. Another benefit is if the unit should fail it's very easy to bypass and reinstall the condenser and you are back to the original points setup.
I have a Pertronix module in one of my crab style distributors and the engine cuts out for some reason and won't restart immediately. If I leave it a while it starts. I have dual points in my other flattie and was thinking of installing the external electronic ignition module. A lot cheaper than a Pertronix and easier to put back to original at the side of the road, no need to remove the distributor.

 

[AzBob]

With an external electronic module you still use the points to trigger the firing but it's only switching a very small current so your points never burn out and you don't need the condenser. Another benefit is if the unit should fail it's very easy to bypass and reinstall the condenser and you are back to the original points setup. A lot cheaper than a Pertronix and easier to put back to original at the side of the road, no need to remove the distributor.

Link please.

 

[petehoovie]

47fraser...Sounds like you are describing a capacitive discharge ignition system...


See > https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nk...capacitor+discharge+ignition+system&_osacat=0

I think I have an NOS one in my parts shed - a Tiger Tri-Star.

I had one in a 1971 Dodge I once owned and I never had to change the points after it was installed - car had a 318 V8 in it. The module had a slide switch on it to switch back to the original stock ignition. I never had a problem with the CDI after many years of use. I never had to use the slide switch to revert back to the original ignition system. Engine ran much better after I installed the CDI...

 

[solidaxle]

After being a proponent of Pertronix mine bit the farm. I ran the resistor wires. My only thought of why it failed is I pulled the plug wire off a couple of times to check the spark. Right now I have points and condenser installed. If I go back to electronic, I'll carry an extra dizzy all set up to slap in on the road.

 

[Christopher Salty]

You can have a spare module in glove box just like a spare set of points. Why do people act like you can’t?

 

[Hal Beatty]

You can have a spare module in glove box just like a spare set of points. Why do people act like you can’t?

I do this on 2 vehicles with Pertronix conversions, along with a spare coil. Haven't needed them yet but it's good insurance.

 

[38 coupe]

I ran Pertronix in a couple off-topic vehicles, both 1966 Ford pickups. They worked well for me until they didn't. My experience was they were not spectacularly more reliable than points, but cost a lot more. I just run points these days, they seem to last for years when using quality parts on a vehicle that doesn't sit forever between uses. Then again, I build my own front mount distributors so I don't have the cost of shipping and paying someone to do that for me.

 

[Drbrown]

My '47 came with a pentronix conversion. During second year of use it died and had to get towed back home. After many tries with the experts like Jim Lindner, I found that the Pentronix units were burning out due to voltage spikes. That problem could not be pinned-down so after spending hundreds on replacement modules I had Charlie S. convert my disributor back to points and they work great. As they say "ELECTRONIC MODULES CAN DIE ANYWHERE BUT POINTS CAN GET YOU HOME". Regardless, I always have a spare distributoer in my trunk.