New ignition ???
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 53
Likes: 56
From: Antioch Il
New ignition ???
Just finishing up a rebuild and upgrade on a 300 hp 327 for my wife's 66 coupe. Looking to up grade the ignition before the dyno run on advise of the builder. What system do you guy's think for a distributor or a rebuild of the unit . Thanks .
Drifting
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1,005
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Might ask the engine builder what he considers an "upgrade"....and why it's necessary.
fwiw I run an old Mallory dual point with a stock coil, stock replacement plug wires, etc on the blown 427 in my Chevy II, and it's run in the nines. Stock old stuff will get you a long ways, with ignition. And unless she plans on using it as a daily driver for years, you shouldn't need to do hardly any maintenance with a properly set up stock distributor.
fwiw I run an old Mallory dual point with a stock coil, stock replacement plug wires, etc on the blown 427 in my Chevy II, and it's run in the nines. Stock old stuff will get you a long ways, with ignition. And unless she plans on using it as a daily driver for years, you shouldn't need to do hardly any maintenance with a properly set up stock distributor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 2,643
From: Really Central IL Illinois
What do you want?
I have the original point set up in R66 with good quality points that have over 11,000 miles on them and still run well, although I have adjusted the dwell once. I expect to replace them this fall as they are what I believe at the end of their service life.
I have a reluctor type pickup similar to the old Chrysler ignitions in the distributor in our 68RS that has been in there over 100,000 miles. It had a MSD 6A amplifier box which was shorted out by a short in the ignition wiring and left me stranded, but by all means no fault of the box. I put an old amplifier on it from an Accel setup and it is running again.
Many will recommend a Pertronix and others a Breakerless SE pickup. Both electronic and should last several thousands of miles without maintenance.
I prefer the Chrysler magnetic reluctor as it is indestructible, but requires the external amplifier which is not.
In summary, if you don't mind maintenance on the points, they work just fine and there is less chance of catastrophic failure out on the road leaving you stranded.
It's strictly personal preference.
I have the original point set up in R66 with good quality points that have over 11,000 miles on them and still run well, although I have adjusted the dwell once. I expect to replace them this fall as they are what I believe at the end of their service life.
I have a reluctor type pickup similar to the old Chrysler ignitions in the distributor in our 68RS that has been in there over 100,000 miles. It had a MSD 6A amplifier box which was shorted out by a short in the ignition wiring and left me stranded, but by all means no fault of the box. I put an old amplifier on it from an Accel setup and it is running again.
Many will recommend a Pertronix and others a Breakerless SE pickup. Both electronic and should last several thousands of miles without maintenance.
I prefer the Chrysler magnetic reluctor as it is indestructible, but requires the external amplifier which is not.
In summary, if you don't mind maintenance on the points, they work just fine and there is less chance of catastrophic failure out on the road leaving you stranded.
It's strictly personal preference.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oviedo Florida
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Old days..OH NO I am stuck here
on the road and I dont know where I can
find a phone to get help.
Today My car has broken down. Oh ..I
have a i phone and can summon help without
leaving my car.....and I have AAA.
Old school ignition or new your choice.
Problems ,on the road are easier to solve , now.
on the road and I dont know where I can
find a phone to get help.
Today My car has broken down. Oh ..I
have a i phone and can summon help without
leaving my car.....and I have AAA.
Old school ignition or new your choice.
Problems ,on the road are easier to solve , now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 2,643
From: Really Central IL Illinois
I forgot to mention: If you don't do your own troubleshooting and minor repairs like points and condenser replacement on the side of the road, there is no advantage to sticking with points. I carry a spare set of points and condenser even though I have never had a set fail on the road. The engine generally will start running poorly before catastrophic failure of the points and condenser and you will replace them as part of normal maintenance.
Not so with electronic ignitions, they can fail without any warning.
So, if you don't wrench your own or don't carry the small parts and tools, a cell phone is your best friend as you will never find a phone booth today.
Of course you have to be prepared to wait in line for a tow for ???? hours. 
Not so with electronic ignitions, they can fail without any warning.
So, if you don't wrench your own or don't carry the small parts and tools, a cell phone is your best friend as you will never find a phone booth today.
Of course you have to be prepared to wait in line for a tow for ???? hours.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 1,606
From: Eastern MA
But I think by now we have proven that there is nothing wrong with points, and that a dual point offers quite a lot as you report. Points are easy. It's a lost art thing to many but really no more complicated than setting plug gap.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Everybody's idea of upgraded is different.
The Electronic Ignitions like Pertronix are NOT and upgrade. Just a different way to do the same thing. I've used them several times over the years and never had a problem.
That said I have Points/Condenser in my 67 BBC. They work perfect and the car runs great. However when it's time to change them I'll go electronic conversion. Not because it's better or an upgrade, it's because I like them.
Now MSD boxes. I personally think they are crap on a street car. Whenever I've bought a car with one I rip it out withing 24 hours. That's just me.
The Electronic Ignitions like Pertronix are NOT and upgrade. Just a different way to do the same thing. I've used them several times over the years and never had a problem.
That said I have Points/Condenser in my 67 BBC. They work perfect and the car runs great. However when it's time to change them I'll go electronic conversion. Not because it's better or an upgrade, it's because I like them.
Now MSD boxes. I personally think they are crap on a street car. Whenever I've bought a car with one I rip it out withing 24 hours. That's just me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Port Orchard, WA
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St. Jude Donor '25
We've got Pertronix lobe sensor ignitions on our 68 Mustang convertible and the 65 Corvette. We've had these on our twin engine boat for well over 20 years. Never a hiccup with any of them. Proper installation will help with reliability.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 1,122
From: Huntsville AL & Hills of Southern TN
When discussions regarding electronic ignitions come up, it's usually between Pertronix or Breakerless SE. Over my time here, folks who've used both tend to prefer the Breakerless SE. My Pertronix never failed me, but last Spring changed to Breakerless based on the collective experience of many here.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Old days..OH NO I am stuck here
on the road and I dont know where I can
find a phone to get help.
Today My car has broken down. Oh ..I
have a i phone and can summon help without
leaving my car.....and I have AAA.
Old school ignition or new your choice.
Problems ,on the road are easier to solve , now.
on the road and I dont know where I can
find a phone to get help.
Today My car has broken down. Oh ..I
have a i phone and can summon help without
leaving my car.....and I have AAA.
Old school ignition or new your choice.
Problems ,on the road are easier to solve , now.
19 hours, including sleeping overnight in her Caddy, waiting for them to show up (with frequent calls saying just a "little" longer).
This was just north of Tampa, FL, so it was not out in the boonies...
I was partially involved since my wife was with her when her engine overheated due to a failed cooling fan. My wife became pretty ill, and 911 was called, and she went to the hospital (1-1/2 hours away).. Long day, and then a longer week for all of us.
And yes, stick with the points.
Plasticman