Converting points and condenser....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NS
Converting points and condenser....
I'm thinking of replacing the points and condenser in my 60 Vette. Currently it's running a stock 327.
I've looked into the conversion units like Pertronix, Mallory and Crane have. I'm also considering going the HEI route.
Others have suggested all I need to do is add a MSD external box like the MSD 6AL - but I don't see how that is an advantage as you are still using the points and condenser. Nor do I understand exactly how the MSD unit works or what it does...
Any thoughts on conversion units - which one Pertronix, Mallory or Crane? Or HEI or MSD ? Any preference of one over the other?
TIA
Ken
I've looked into the conversion units like Pertronix, Mallory and Crane have. I'm also considering going the HEI route.
Others have suggested all I need to do is add a MSD external box like the MSD 6AL - but I don't see how that is an advantage as you are still using the points and condenser. Nor do I understand exactly how the MSD unit works or what it does...
Any thoughts on conversion units - which one Pertronix, Mallory or Crane? Or HEI or MSD ? Any preference of one over the other?
TIA
Ken
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history
Ken,
A couple of years ago a adapted my stock Mallory dual point ignition on my 61 283 (270hp) with Petronix modual. It is great, takes a few minutes to install. I keep the old points and internal hardware in my tool box if it should fail.
I have run it over 8,000 miles, no problems. I drag race it and take long trips in hot weather.
I can NOT imagine any reason to go with any device that requires external boxes, etc.
Joe
A couple of years ago a adapted my stock Mallory dual point ignition on my 61 283 (270hp) with Petronix modual. It is great, takes a few minutes to install. I keep the old points and internal hardware in my tool box if it should fail.
I have run it over 8,000 miles, no problems. I drag race it and take long trips in hot weather.
I can NOT imagine any reason to go with any device that requires external boxes, etc.
Joe
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Ken,
A couple of years ago a adapted my stock Mallory dual point ignition on my 61 283 (270hp) with Petronix modual. It is great, takes a few minutes to install. I keep the old points and internal hardware in my tool box if it should fail.
I have run it over 8,000 miles, no problems. I drag race it and take long trips in hot weather.
I can NOT imagine any reason to go with any device that requires external boxes, etc.
Joe
A couple of years ago a adapted my stock Mallory dual point ignition on my 61 283 (270hp) with Petronix modual. It is great, takes a few minutes to install. I keep the old points and internal hardware in my tool box if it should fail.
I have run it over 8,000 miles, no problems. I drag race it and take long trips in hot weather.
I can NOT imagine any reason to go with any device that requires external boxes, etc.
Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 789
Likes: 10
From: Las Vegas NV
Back in the old days when I last had a points type ignition, I converted to an Accel BEI distributor. Very good, extremely reliable piece. Moved it from engine to engine over the years. I killed and just plain wore out many engines over time but never had a problem with the ignition. Highly reccomended! It'll end up on Ebay eventually when I get around to organizing my garage......
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,349
Likes: 673
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Probably yours can! How many miles have you put on it in the last 8 years? Couple hundred? Bet your points (if you had them) would still be like new!
Ken,
If you do change, an HEI (if it will fit) works just great, and parts are available everywhere (as long as it is recurved to match your engine).
A Petronix or Mallory or LL, etc. type that uses your existing dist. assumes that your dist. is in good working shape (shaft and bushings are good, cent. and vac. advance are good, etc., point cam no longer is "used" with a conversion, but they do wear out - much to the surprise of a few guys).
If your dist. is in good shape, and the cent. advance curve matches the engine, then (if I was to dump the points - which I won't do!) I would go that way. If the dist. is in sad shape, then a good HEI would be my next choice (since you don't have to be concerned with finding a Tach drive HEI dist.).
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Aug 31, 2007 at 07:10 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,120
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
when i moved beachside in '89 points would fail EVERY month! the car would sit, just plain wouldn't start(salt air). in 90-91 got 2 accell dist (custom) for 72 & 67. then got pertronix too for #3, have over 20 car years NO ADJ cleaning
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,120
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,349
Likes: 673
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Having spent 4 years in Key West (when points were all you had), and never had a point issue there, don't know why you have a problem where you are. Buy some good parts, and maybe the ignition gods will smile on you.
I just don't take short cuts, like some forum members I know (how is the gas tank conversion going, Matt?).
Plasticman
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 376
From: Mobile AL
Converting to breakerless ignition alone doesn't get you a hotter spark at your plugs. It just keeps you from having to adjust or change your points every few years.
Going to a full HEI set-up actually gets you more voltage at the plugs. It's a High Energy Ignition, just like the name says. You can run wider plug gaps as a result.
An MSD amplifier box gives you a Mulitple Spark Discharge up to about 3,000 rpm. That means each spark plug will fire several times during every compression stroke at low rpm. This does make a difference you can feel in starting, idle smoothness, and low speed engine efficiency.
I don't install Pertronix type modules for customers anymore. Yes, I have had them stop working and leave someone stranded. When it finally happened to me last year, I threw in the towel... er, points.
Going to a full HEI set-up actually gets you more voltage at the plugs. It's a High Energy Ignition, just like the name says. You can run wider plug gaps as a result.
An MSD amplifier box gives you a Mulitple Spark Discharge up to about 3,000 rpm. That means each spark plug will fire several times during every compression stroke at low rpm. This does make a difference you can feel in starting, idle smoothness, and low speed engine efficiency.
I don't install Pertronix type modules for customers anymore. Yes, I have had them stop working and leave someone stranded. When it finally happened to me last year, I threw in the towel... er, points.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 99
From: Captain Cook Hawaii
The HEI is an excellent distributor! Just remember; 10 ga wire must feed this unit. Inside is an electronic module, coil and triggering device.
Potential trouble exists, knowledge and spares keep us going, no matter what is firing our plugs.!
brgds
rene
Potential trouble exists, knowledge and spares keep us going, no matter what is firing our plugs.!
brgds
rene
