Pertronix failure? I need help!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
No....the Ignitor III requires a FULL 12V to run properly so NO ballast resistor in the circuit.
I wouldn't run on the stock coil too long personally.
You need the low ohm FlameThrower coil. I run this one (in black to look stock): http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/fla..._volt_ft3.aspx I believe its epoxy-filled but I'm out of town and not near my car so I can't immediately check.
BTW - even with the latest Pertronix I still try not to leave the ignition switch in the ON position too long. I did accidentally do just that for about 1/2 hour the other day working on my radio but no damage occurred.
I wouldn't run on the stock coil too long personally.
You need the low ohm FlameThrower coil. I run this one (in black to look stock): http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/fla..._volt_ft3.aspx I believe its epoxy-filled but I'm out of town and not near my car so I can't immediately check.
BTW - even with the latest Pertronix I still try not to leave the ignition switch in the ON position too long. I did accidentally do just that for about 1/2 hour the other day working on my radio but no damage occurred.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
Frank - which coil number did you go with? Mine, of course, is out of warranty and I am looking at the epoxy-filled types. Also, in the meantime, I also need to run through the ballast resistor to keep from frying the stock coil, don't I? Pertronix likes full 12 volts, but the stock coils don't as I understand it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
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I know, I know, points are inferior to electronic ignition, but they do however work.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Here we go...wondered when the Pertronix vs points issue would come up. I've run them since the EARLY Pertronix I in a variety of cars under racing, autocross and street conditions and never a failure. I know Tom Parsons has used them a ton as well. Its a personal choice as much as a technology bake off.
My Pertronix got me home when the side of my distributor cap blew out and the rotor button got knocked sideways...would points have done it....can't say but I doubt it. In fact, other than an occasional stumble I wouldn't have known it happened.
The problems I've seen on others' cars have been from improper installation or leaving the ignition on (in the early versions).
My Pertronix got me home when the side of my distributor cap blew out and the rotor button got knocked sideways...would points have done it....can't say but I doubt it. In fact, other than an occasional stumble I wouldn't have known it happened.
The problems I've seen on others' cars have been from improper installation or leaving the ignition on (in the early versions).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
My bad flamethrower coil blew my old pert II unit. They gave me a new unit and solid coil. Too many people have had excellent results with Pertronix. Like many online reviews, you hear mostly about the failures not the successes. Human nature. Unless it happens again,I am sticking with Pertronix.
Last edited by MiguelsC2; Aug 22, 2010 at 04:14 PM.
Race Director
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 71
From: SOUTH SHORE Massachusetts
I went from the Pertronix one to the two after 5 plus yrs with the one. never had a problem just got a deal on the two...so I put it in and it seems to be fine. I have done trips ranging from 100 to 200 miles straight and no problems...lets see what happens on the Carlisle run this week...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Well....after a year of running with this distributor cap and rotor set a screw came out of the rotor (see picture) and got wedged between the rotor button and cap and just dang well knocked the side out of the cap....the other screw was only 1 turn or so tight when I finally got to the problem. They are both Lok Tited in now!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Well....after a year of running with this distributor cap and rotor set a screw came out of the rotor (see picture) and got wedged between the rotor button and cap and just dang well knocked the side out of the cap....the other screw was only 1 turn or so tight when I finally got to the problem. They are both Lok Tited in now!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 171
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I'm going to find out what the Pertronix folk are made of. I emailed them to let them know of my problem, to see if they will work with me. Even though I am out of warranty on this coil, I have only driven a total of 1400 miles with the setup! Seems like that ought to count for something.
I will keep you all posted when I hear back from them. Thanks again for all your input.
John
I will keep you all posted when I hear back from them. Thanks again for all your input. John
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
I'm going to find out what the Pertronix folk are made of. I emailed them to let them know of my problem, to see if they will work with me. Even though I am out of warranty on this coil, I have only driven a total of 1400 miles with the setup! Seems like that ought to count for something. I will keep you all posted when I hear back from them. Thanks again for all your input.
John
I will keep you all posted when I hear back from them. Thanks again for all your input. John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
I went from the Pertronix one to the two after 5 plus yrs with the one. never had a problem just got a deal on the two...so I put it in and it seems to be fine. I have done trips ranging from 100 to 200 miles straight and no problems...lets see what happens on the Carlisle run this week...
I have done trips between 1000 and 5000 miles over the years with a Pertronix Ignitor with no problem. In my experience, the problem rate(next to nothing) is much lower than with points, and the mean time between failures (car dies on the highway) is about the half that of points.
IMO the Pertronix coil on the other hand, gives the company a bad name.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 99
From: Lake Villa Illinois
St. Jude Donor '14
[QUOTE=MidYearRoadster;1575089714] I have done trips ranging from 100 to 200 miles straight QUOTE]
I can't help but poke fun at this. We take the car 150 miles out and back just for lunch!
Oh, I see. where you live 200 miles might take all day. Lots of traffic there.
Gerry
I can't help but poke fun at this. We take the car 150 miles out and back just for lunch!
Oh, I see. where you live 200 miles might take all day. Lots of traffic there.
Gerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 71
From: SOUTH SHORE Massachusetts
[QUOTE=Mossy66;1575100958]Yep..sometimes it takes 2 hrs to go 30 miles to Boston....open roads are not close by....sigh...thats why we take off as much as we can...usually up north to the mountains in NH>
