Point replacement with what system?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 18
From: scotts mi
Point replacement with what system?
Wondered how many of you have replaced your point system with a Pertronix, Accel, MSD, Mallory or what ever type system, and what kind of satisfaction you've had with your choice. I'd also like to hear from the guys that have replaced the distributor with a new aftermarket unit. I have the stock tach drive w/ points, and an Accel 300+ CDI box and coil, and would like to get rid of the points, but keep tach drive.
Whats your opinion?
Thanks, Dave
Whats your opinion?
Thanks, Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: Corona CA
tried the mallory unilite system, but it let me down repeatedly...sometimes under warranty other times I had to pay for a new unit....I think the optical setup is just not as good as magnetic. In the end I moved to an MSD (they have a tach drive unit and even one with both tach and vacuum) I have been very pleased for several years, it seems a quality unit. FYI I use an older jacobs ignition that I also really like but it is not made anymore.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I'm gonna replace my dual points with Petronix this weekend - I'm not trying to break the sound barrier just avoid messing with points. Before others chime in about reliability; I ran Petronix in two 1966 Mustangs for many years with zero problems. Besides these setups are easy to rip out if you get tired of it or have problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I had the original Pertronix LSC Ignitor in my 64 but I changed it to the Ignitor II about 4 years ago. I also used their .6 ohm matching coil and their 7mm plug wires. The Ignitor LSC, with their 1.5 ohm coil was an improvement over the points set up and the Ignitor II was an improvement over the LSC. If you're interested in my Pertronix 1.5 ohm coil (40011) and the Pertronix Ignitor (1186LSC), I'll sell the pair for $65 including shipping in the USA vis USPS Priority Mail. They were working perfectly when I removed them from my car to try the newest version, the Ignitor II. If you prefer to purchase new, I reccommend http://www.vintageperformance.com/re...ts/ignitor.htm
They are the ones I purchased mine from. Good folks to do business with.
They are the ones I purchased mine from. Good folks to do business with.
Last edited by JoesC5; Sep 17, 2007 at 09:02 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 5
From: Hasbrouck Heights NJ
tried the mallory unilite system, but it let me down repeatedly...sometimes under warranty other times I had to pay for a new unit....I think the optical setup is just not as good as magnetic. In the end I moved to an MSD (they have a tach drive unit and even one with both tach and vacuum) I have been very pleased for several years, it seems a quality unit. FYI I use an older jacobs ignition that I also really like but it is not made anymore.
I went with the Mallory distributor. So far no problems. I purchased their Ballast resistor, coil and power filter. Their site says the power filter helps solve most of the module blow out issues. Hopefully I'll have better luck than macdaren, been a year so far and it runs quite well.
Distributor and parts I purchased from Jegs for this:
650-3864501 Mallory Unilite for Corvette Distributor
650-29216 Chrome Coil For Breakerless Systems
650-700 Ballast Resistor, 0.7-1.5 OHM
650-29351 Active Power Filter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Pembine Wis
http://www.lectriclimited.com/breakerless_se.htm
I had the above system for about 3 years. It burned out on me so it's back to points and cond. To be fair, a couple of weeks prior to this I broke my ground wire off inside the distributor, this is what probably burned out the unit. I'm going to stick with the old school for a while. I'm not trying to start anything, it's just simpler for me. All the other people I have read about with their units, what ever brand, had good luck.
I had the above system for about 3 years. It burned out on me so it's back to points and cond. To be fair, a couple of weeks prior to this I broke my ground wire off inside the distributor, this is what probably burned out the unit. I'm going to stick with the old school for a while. I'm not trying to start anything, it's just simpler for me. All the other people I have read about with their units, what ever brand, had good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 146
From: Chuckanut WA
Pertronics works great for me. 
I carry a set of points and condenser just in case but in 4 years no problems. Why change distributors? Rebuild yours and it will work just just great. Pretty simple job.
I carry a set of points and condenser just in case but in 4 years no problems. Why change distributors? Rebuild yours and it will work just just great. Pretty simple job.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
I trigger a Mallory HyFire IV with a set of Accel points with no problems. Realize that when you add the "box" the points no longer carry any real current. They only function as a trigger so don't burn or go out of adjustment.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: Corona CA
Power Filter, that sounds promising....no such item was ever recommended to me for the unilite...it may not have been available when I was having problems...and the unilite setup I was referring to was just the points replacement kit not the full distributor coil and ballast...I would just guess that a fully integrated system is going to be better especially with the power filter....I know others that have the full mallory setup and it has been fine for them....but I'll stay with the MSD now.
P.S. Just curious does mallory make a tach drive w/ vacuum advance distributor...should the MSD die maybe I would give mallory another try.
P.S. Just curious does mallory make a tach drive w/ vacuum advance distributor...should the MSD die maybe I would give mallory another try.
Last edited by macdarren; Sep 18, 2007 at 11:09 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Barnstable Mass
I have a Summit HEI tach drive unit with a Crane adjustable vacuum advance on my 383. Replaced an old Accel dual point unit without vacuum. Mileage went from around 12 before to 17 with the vacuum unit.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
I've heard nothing but good things about Pertronix.
You may find it rather expensive to buy a new distributor because your tach needs a mechanical drive. Good mechanical drive distributors start at about $300. If your stock distributor is otherwise ok, you can convert it for less than $100.
You may find it rather expensive to buy a new distributor because your tach needs a mechanical drive. Good mechanical drive distributors start at about $300. If your stock distributor is otherwise ok, you can convert it for less than $100.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
i ran a mallory unilite conversion under my stock distrib/cap for 17 years without any problems. About 40K miles.
Doug
Doug
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 18
From: scotts mi
thanks a bunch guys. I have looked at the MSD dist. and the pertronix conversion, among others, and now ponder this: I have an Accel 300+ CDI set up with their coil, and really like this set up, but wonder how the pertronix would wire in with this system. Right now I still have the one wire hookup to the points. Do they have more than one wire? Any comments?
In addition how about the distributor hookup, with the 3 wire? plug, how would that affect my current setup?
If you haven't noticed I'm electrically challenged!!!!!
In addition how about the distributor hookup, with the 3 wire? plug, how would that affect my current setup?
If you haven't noticed I'm electrically challenged!!!!!
Last edited by zim64; Sep 18, 2007 at 07:42 PM.