Question about Petronix Ignitor ignition
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 11
From: Florence SC
Question about Petronix Ignitor ignition
Has anyone had experience with using the Petronix Ignitor ignition system? I am considering getting it or someother "breakerless" system for my car. I understand that you maintain the stock appearance of your distributor.Thank you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,573
Likes: 117
From: Conroe Texas
I have it on my 71 Vista Cruiser and 62 Vette. I love it, smoother idle and better throttle response.
That is MY experience, others may differ
I plan to put the Petronix II and the matching coil on my 65 when I get down to "nice to have" upgrades and am no longer fixing "must do" things.
That is MY experience, others may differ
I plan to put the Petronix II and the matching coil on my 65 when I get down to "nice to have" upgrades and am no longer fixing "must do" things.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 99
From: Boston MA
I've got a Pertronix on my car. No trouble in 5 years. Musta saved me at least 1 or 2 times adjusting those pesky points. Yessiree. You know how difficult and time consuming it is to do that. Musta saved 10-20 minutes. More time to polish my nuts.
There are other systems out there. Look at the Breakerless SE.
There are 1 wire systems if you want to maintain the stock appearance.
Make sure you save your old points and condenser and carry them as emergency spares. If the Pertronix breaks, you aren't finding a spare anytime quick.
There are other systems out there. Look at the Breakerless SE.
There are 1 wire systems if you want to maintain the stock appearance.
Make sure you save your old points and condenser and carry them as emergency spares. If the Pertronix breaks, you aren't finding a spare anytime quick.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 477
Likes: 43
From: Millbrae California
Originally Posted by chris ritchie
I've got a Pertronix on my car. No trouble in 5 years. Musta saved me at least 1 or 2 times adjusting those pesky points. Yessiree. You know how difficult and time consuming it is to do that. Musta saved 10-20 minutes. More time to polish my nuts.
There are other systems out there. Look at the Breakerless SE.
There are 1 wire systems if you want to maintain the stock appearance.
Make sure you save your old points and condenser and carry them as emergency spares. If the Pertronix breaks, you aren't finding a spare anytime quick.
There are other systems out there. Look at the Breakerless SE.
There are 1 wire systems if you want to maintain the stock appearance.
Make sure you save your old points and condenser and carry them as emergency spares. If the Pertronix breaks, you aren't finding a spare anytime quick.
i think the M&H Breakerless SE may be a little better than the others both because of the one wire hook up plus it has a auto shut down (like a HEI) so if you leave the key on without the engine running it will shut it self down and not keep current flowing thru the system. on a points system the points will "burn" if you leave the key on and the points are closed and on a electronic ignition system it could overheat the coil or do other electronic damange. (i have seen the taylor/vertex electronic magneto get very hot and burn up the coil when the key was let on while the owner was listening to the radio)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 27
From: Plum Boro, Pa. USA Pennsylvania
Installed a Pertronix in the '57 Lincoln back before it was overhauled; enabled the engine to run well through oil soaked plugs
I DO carry the old points & condenser, but no probs in 6 or 7 years
Cruz
I DO carry the old points & condenser, but no probs in 6 or 7 years
Cruz
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 941
Likes: 160
From: Edmonton Alberta
I have used the igniter ll and their coil for about 4 yrs now. Not a single problem. I do carry a set of points and condenser just in case the module burns out. If you go to the pertronics website you will find that they also carry an electronic box like the MSD 6AL that hooks directly to the module under your dist. cap. It has a built in rev limiter and some sort of multple spark capability if you need more spark.
The pertronics igniter ll also has the capability to automatically adjust the dwell as you accelerate. Check their site for more info.
65-StingRay
The pertronics igniter ll also has the capability to automatically adjust the dwell as you accelerate. Check their site for more info.
65-StingRay
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history
Replaced my dual ponts on the 61 with this Petronix last year. I do not see an improvement over properly set points; however, runs just as well. AND, save twice as much time setting those dual points.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 499
Likes: 18
From: Mason NH
Originally Posted by 62Jeff
I have it on my 71 Vista Cruiser and 62 Vette. I love it, smoother idle and better throttle response.
That is MY experience, others may differ
I plan to put the Petronix II and the matching coil on my 65 when I get down to "nice to have" upgrades and am no longer fixing "must do" things.
That is MY experience, others may differ
I plan to put the Petronix II and the matching coil on my 65 when I get down to "nice to have" upgrades and am no longer fixing "must do" things.
I love it!
But to answer the original question, I love the Pertronix. Very easy to install, still looks very stock, and eliminates all the points problems that us peeps in the Northeast always enjoy.
Although, they do cost a few bucks (must be close to hunge by now), usually they need to be ordered (especially for supersweet applications such as the aforementioned '71 vista cruiser) and yes, a replacement will be tough to come by ASAP (so maybe order two?).
I've installed 3 so far, on a 66 vette, 69 vette, and a 72 Karmann Ghia (which the first one installed may have been bad, but the replacement worked great). I highly recommend them, but these were all from atleast 3 years ago, so I asume they were not Pertronix II's.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 653
Likes: 9
From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada
I installed Pertronix on my '56 Vette three years ago and will NOT go back to points, makes maintenance and tuning so much easier. Also installed Pertronix on my International farm tractor, best thing ever done to that machine.
Pierre
Pierre
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Miramar, FL
I have used the Mallory Unilite kit since it first came out in the '70's. The first for the Unilite was a Big Block. I had great success with it and put it on all point cars since (at least a dozen).
A few years ago I decided to try the Petronix II on my '65 coupe that I drive daily, and all over Florida. It worked as good as the Unilite, but I guess the year round heat finally got to it. The mylar (or whatever plastic film they have glued to the bottom to hold the magnets) let go and so did two of the magnets.
I have since switched back to the Unilite as it is not constructed with magnets in a vulnerable position.
A few years ago I decided to try the Petronix II on my '65 coupe that I drive daily, and all over Florida. It worked as good as the Unilite, but I guess the year round heat finally got to it. The mylar (or whatever plastic film they have glued to the bottom to hold the magnets) let go and so did two of the magnets.
I have since switched back to the Unilite as it is not constructed with magnets in a vulnerable position.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,573
Likes: 117
From: Conroe Texas
I guess I have one other point to consider.
I live in a very humid area. Many of my cars get parked for long periods because of work, projects, etc.
Even if the Pertronix didn't make any noticable difference in how my cars ran, I'd still go with it over points just to eliminate having to deal with corroded points that comes from sitting in 90% humidity all day long.
I live in a very humid area. Many of my cars get parked for long periods because of work, projects, etc.
Even if the Pertronix didn't make any noticable difference in how my cars ran, I'd still go with it over points just to eliminate having to deal with corroded points that comes from sitting in 90% humidity all day long.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: whiting,nj
i had the pertronix in my stock dist. for a couple years.
now using the mallory unilite dist. without vac. advance.
and a crane spark box with rev limiter. very happy with this set up.
another choice might be the crane electronic under the cap unit.
it has a built in rev limiter. stealthy and a safety factor built in.
i have not used this type. but might be worth a look.
now using the mallory unilite dist. without vac. advance.
and a crane spark box with rev limiter. very happy with this set up.
another choice might be the crane electronic under the cap unit.
it has a built in rev limiter. stealthy and a safety factor built in.
i have not used this type. but might be worth a look.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
My father has it on his 64 and i have it on my 65. Made a hell of a difference and i dont have to mess with a stupid points setting ever again.
I've heard of people having problems, but so far (5 years) no problems with either car. I suggest the coil upgrade along with 8mm wires.
I've heard of people having problems, but so far (5 years) no problems with either car. I suggest the coil upgrade along with 8mm wires.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Petronix
Should work fine on the Mallory. I have a dual point Mallory on a 67 Big Block 435HP Engine and I put the Petronix II in a few years ago and it works great. I didn't even change the coil. Make sure you use the Petronix II which automatically adjusts the dwell.
Originally Posted by vettepoor
Will these work on a dual-point Mallory distributor? I have this on my 57w/o vacuum advance, but a major PITA to properly adjust.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 4
Has any1 ever looked into the crane XR-i?
http://www.cranecams.com/index.php?s...lvl=5&prt=1973
It's also a one wire hook up.
-Remove the points and condenser, install with two screws, connect the wire and you're done
It even includes a rev limiter!
Cruz59
http://www.cranecams.com/index.php?s...lvl=5&prt=1973
It's also a one wire hook up.
-Remove the points and condenser, install with two screws, connect the wire and you're done
It even includes a rev limiter!
Cruz59
