Depending on your particular situation and engine would probably be the most important factor. With a stock, relatively low revving engine a points system is tried and true. With higher revving more powerful engines pointless systems are the way to go. I was under the impression that at some rpm point the points will start to float and/or bounce. I have used the point systems ,both single and double, over the years and yes, they were relatively reliable and easy to repair but after installing the MSD system in my 66 I will never go back. Start up, especially on a hot engine, is now excellent, reliability and performance so far have been excellent also. Simple to install and they have mech tach drive drive systems. IMO Steve

 

The MSD systems are outstanding and actually offer a performance improvement over the stock systems. That MSD tach drive pro billet with the -6AL box is really a great setup. I do have to agree with that. But I've seen a ton of problems with the aftermarket electronic conversion kits that replace the points, and I've retrofitted dozens of those systems back to points for people, and realized an actual performance improvement, or the elimination of specific problems, by going back to points. I have no doubt that there are many of the systems in great running condition, and that many of them perform very well. But I have a big cardboard box full of ones that don't....

A good set of points won't bounce at any usable rpm. I have a Sun distributor machine, and I test this stuff regularly. The Echlin CS786 points will run past 7000 rpm with no bounce or float - rock steady dwell and timing. They will probably go higher, but at 7000 (3500 distributor rpm), I chicken out with that thing spinning in my face. We ran points systems to trigger an MSD 6 when running NHRA Super Stock back in the 70s: back then, we used the Mallory 102 points for rock-solid stable performance. I still use the 102s (now discontinued, but I hoarded a bunch of them) in my 455 Judge. I run the CS786 in my 357 '64 Vette, and I run 6500rpm shift points with no problem. I'm gonna' break rod bolts before those points float...

I have correspondance with PerTronix where I have documented in detail the technical problems I have seen with the systems, and PerTronix engineering has confirmed that they have seen the issues that I disussed in my letters to them. They have told me that they have fixed most of the issues in the newer versions of the systems.

I have tuned many well-running cars using the PerTronix and UniLite systems. But I happen to like points. Maybe I just like to use my dwell meter for something....

...yeah! What Duke said...! If you don't like points, I'll come by your house and cut vacuum hose on your car!

 

I agree that a properly set-up points system works really good. The trouble is finding someone who really knows how to set it up and set the curves. My points distributor always seemed to drift out of adjustment and just a little off on the dwell settings and the engine runs really bad!

After getting stranded a couple of times, I switched to Pertronix and I like it. My engine fires right up, runs smoothly all the way up to 7000 and my plugs tell me I'm getting a better burn. I think the hot coil helps a lot.

I'm still tweaking my motor and look forward to testing it more this summer (carb modifications, new fuel pump, possible cam swap).

I still have my points if I want them back....

 

If you had issues with the advance system with points, you'll still have them with the Pertronix conversion; all the Pertronix module does is replace the points (electronic vs. mechanical switch for the coil) - the centrifugal and vacuum advance systems are totally independent of the points or Pertronix module and aren't affected by the conversion.

 

Good point, John. I should have mentioned that I had the distributor re-curved after my engine rebuild. I think my problem was with worn set screws - the dwell kept drifting.....

(you are amazing...)

 

Hard heads should take note of Consumer Reports. CR reported a big jump in reliability on the 75, 76 c3 (to much better than average from POS) which they attributed, at least in part, to points elimination.
Caution: i only use #1181.
the LS is dubious, especially in an old worn dist.

 

Pertronix works great. I've run it in my '65 Mustang for 10 years and had no problems whatsoever.

The car starts on the first crank and runs just as good as the day I made the switch. No more fooling around with "tuneups" every 5,000 miles like when I had points.

When I get my Vette on the road it will have a Pertronix in it (and a spare set of points in the tool tray).

 

Like Seaside63, I've had my Pertonix Lobe Sensor setup in my '5 for 5 years...no issues (knock on wood). But, I do need an ace to fall back on when I take road trips...just in case...I do need to pick up a set of points and a step by step instruction on how to convert back to points (slept since then )...anybody??

Jim