purtronix electronic ignition
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
I use the Ignitor on my 68 L36 to trigger the MSD box. I use the Ignitor 2 (I think) and coil on my verrry original 65 442. I am thinking of buying a 64 to 67 El Camino. If I do, I will get another Pertronix setup.
Did it make a difference? Well, there is nothing wrong with points. I believe it smoothed out the idle somewhat, but that could be due to the age of the points. I don't think there are any more cars built with points.
Others will chime in with their experiences...
Did it make a difference? Well, there is nothing wrong with points. I believe it smoothed out the idle somewhat, but that could be due to the age of the points. I don't think there are any more cars built with points.
Others will chime in with their experiences...
Last edited by Jeff_Keryk; May 19, 2009 at 03:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Holcomb Mississippi
which one
I was looking on the purtronix web site and noticed there are 2 types of the igniter II available for a V8. One is for a dual point the other is standard. How can I tell if I have dual point or not. I have a 350.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
No upgraded ignition or conversion will make a difference in performance if that's what you're asking. The early Pertronics units had a horrible reliability record, the latest ones seem to be OK.
The only thing they achieve is eliminating occasional adjustment or replacements of the points. I doubt very much if you have dual points in your existing distributor.
The only thing they achieve is eliminating occasional adjustment or replacements of the points. I doubt very much if you have dual points in your existing distributor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 10
From: Brooklet Ga.
I guess I am the exception to the rule here I built a 390 Ford to put in my 65 pickup and put a Pertronix in it 10 years ago and it is still going strong. No more setting points to trouble starting. I am going to put one in my wifes 72 Vette soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
No upgraded ignition or conversion will make a difference in performance if that's what you're asking. The early Pertronics units had a horrible reliability record, the latest ones seem to be OK.
The only thing they achieve is eliminating occasional adjustment or replacements of the points. I doubt very much if you have dual points in your existing distributor.
The only thing they achieve is eliminating occasional adjustment or replacements of the points. I doubt very much if you have dual points in your existing distributor.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I've had good luck with the pertronix units. My feeling is if the distributor is in good condition you wont see any difference between the pertronix and points. But if the distributor has some wear and allows the dwell to vary the pertronix unit will forgive this and the engine will run better. I've experimented a little by taking a car that that has worn dist bushings and allows the dwell to vary and was breaking up around 4000 and installed the pertronix and the car would then run on up to higher rpm. Rebuilt the dist at a later date and reinstalled the points. This could be one reason some feel a difference in performance.
I "was" able to make a 54 start better by installing a pertronix and using an extra capacitor so the battery voltage to the dist didnt fall to a critical level.
I "was" able to make a 54 start better by installing a pertronix and using an extra capacitor so the battery voltage to the dist didnt fall to a critical level.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
My 2 cents.... With points, you can tell when the ignition system is "going south" way before it will leave you stranded; with electronic ignition systems, when they go, the car's dead.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 10
From: Brooklet Ga.
I keep a set of old points and condenser in the glove box just in case, if the pertronix dies it is really easy to change back to the points, the boxes are about to crumble they have been in there so long.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
I put the ignitor 2 1 year ago... only thing I set the gap wrongly and the pick up ring rubbed the module...appart from that car runs fine. I corrected the gap last week when replacing the dizzy main shaft...now it runs better...hahah stupid amateur mechanic me....
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
yeap
I though so once but I was looking to keep the tach drive... and new dissy with tach were in the 300 and up but then I saw ones in around 150 but that was after I went petronix.. and as I had that well just decided to rebuilt.. anyway the rebuilt ended up ok...car runs strong up to 140mph with no problem....is that ok???
I though so once but I was looking to keep the tach drive... and new dissy with tach were in the 300 and up but then I saw ones in around 150 but that was after I went petronix.. and as I had that well just decided to rebuilt.. anyway the rebuilt ended up ok...car runs strong up to 140mph with no problem....is that ok???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
I run the Ignitor kit in five cars. No problems, ever.
I disagree that there wouldn't be a performance difference between stock points set-up and the Ignitor kit.
First, I can run a full 12v to the Ignitor FlameThrower coil and that has to mean a better spark to the plugs. Stock coils and points ran on 6-9v to prevent the points from frying.
Secondly, single points set-ups weren't much good much past 5500 RPM. With the Ignitor kit, I often rev my two SB cars to 6500+ without ever missing a beat.
And the best part is, everything looks completely stock.
FWIW
I disagree that there wouldn't be a performance difference between stock points set-up and the Ignitor kit.
First, I can run a full 12v to the Ignitor FlameThrower coil and that has to mean a better spark to the plugs. Stock coils and points ran on 6-9v to prevent the points from frying.
Secondly, single points set-ups weren't much good much past 5500 RPM. With the Ignitor kit, I often rev my two SB cars to 6500+ without ever missing a beat.
And the best part is, everything looks completely stock.
FWIW
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; May 22, 2009 at 06:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
No upgraded ignition or conversion will make a difference in performance if that's what you're asking. The early Pertronics units had a horrible reliability record, the latest ones seem to be OK.
The only thing they achieve is eliminating occasional adjustment or replacements of the points. I doubt very much if you have dual points in your existing distributor.
The only thing they achieve is eliminating occasional adjustment or replacements of the points. I doubt very much if you have dual points in your existing distributor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Hello,
Car will start better, idle better and run better at high RPM.
Points worked when that was all that was available but the electronic pickup precisely controls the spark duration and collapse at all RPMs.
Installed on 68 Camaro, 65 Mustang and 72 Corvette with 454, all run better in every way.
Douglas in Green Bay
Car will start better, idle better and run better at high RPM.
Points worked when that was all that was available but the electronic pickup precisely controls the spark duration and collapse at all RPMs.
Installed on 68 Camaro, 65 Mustang and 72 Corvette with 454, all run better in every way.
Douglas in Green Bay
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
OK, I've been using them since 1980 when they were introduced by the Per-Lux lighting corporation and only had 1 issue due to my fault of not properly checking clearances after installing a unit ( I caused a high RPM miss due to rivets losening when the magnet wheel rubbed the pick-up unit when I did'nt properly set clearances.). I run them on most of my old Chevy's and Ford's with no roadside strandings EVER! I guess they don't like the cold enviroments of the Great White North or you and your buddies the McKenzy brothers did the install while downing too many Molsens (EH? Hoser?)
Not only do you seem to hate the NCRS, you seem to be biggoted against Canadians. Get a life loser.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
I put a pertronix set-up in a 65 Buick 401 nailhead, ran it for close to 15 years with no problems. It did run a lot better at Idle and I did notice a slight improvment in gas milage. As far as performance?..... well we all have different definations of what performance is.
if the engine runs better and there is an increase in mpg, then I would have to say that, yes, there was an improvment in preformance.
BTW, that 401 had over 150K on it and never been apart and could suck the doors off anything going up the Grapevine ! WOO- WAHH
if the engine runs better and there is an increase in mpg, then I would have to say that, yes, there was an improvment in preformance.
BTW, that 401 had over 150K on it and never been apart and could suck the doors off anything going up the Grapevine ! WOO- WAHH
