actually, I've never had ANY bad experiences with the electronic conversions OR with points. But I know a LOT of people that have had plenty of problems with the elctronic conversions and don't know a single person that's had ANY problems with points failing on them, Not one!
The very first times I've even heard of a set of points failing on someone is on another forum last week. And there are still many, many times more people with the old points distributors in them with the points than have installed conversion units. The percentage rate of failureson the conversion units is higher than points - it's that simple. Nothing more and nothing less.
It's not BS and I'm not misinformed.
Do a simple search on this forum alone and see how many people has claimed problems and/or failures on the electronic conversions and even people that have given up on them and switched back to points vs. the number of posts you find where someones points have failed and left them stranded.

If you prefer your electronic conversion kit than more power to you, but to say they are more reliable than points is plain wrong.

Bringing up a modern weapon system and the electronics built into them is a completely different ballgame and we can't even begin to compare the two. Are tyou seriuously trying to compare the simple and basic electronics in a distributor conversion kit to modern computerized electronics? that's like trying to compare an electronic conversion ignition system to a modern electronic ignition system. It can't be done!
Remember, all we are talking about is what amounts to a simple switch. BUT in this case there IS a higher percentage of failure rate of installed units of the conversion kits than there are of installed points. I don't even understand how you can argue that fact as easy as it is to check out.
If you are really trying to compare points to a modern computerized elctronic ignition system in modern and current cars than you are also not comparing apple to apples.

When someone is asking for technical advise as you mention, i'm trying to let them realize there are downsides to the issue. Are there advantages? Sure, no need to adjust dwell. But at the same time the original poster should be informed of a greater risk of reliability issues.
Does than mean it will definitely happen to him? Not at all, but he should be made aware of it so he can make a better informed decision.
Can failures occur with points? Sure, but at a lower percentage chance of it happening.

By you claiming that electroniuc conversion kits are more reliable than points you are misleading the original poster and providing incorrect and wrong information. Period!

i've had more than enough to say about this.
I'm outa here.

 

Well this helps me make up my mind as to which system to go with, lots of good info from both sides

 

I run a Crane HI-6 box trigged by an Accel 37000 series dual point(one set removed)tach drive distributor with flawless performance. After the installation of a Holley 6-71 blower, I was leafing through it's manual and found this statement in bold type...never use a point style distributor, use only electronic triggered ignition. When I questioned a holley "tech" about the statement all I could get was "it's a more reliable system".....O.K. sure

 

Ok, Barry, I give......Peace As I read your input and try to understand where you are coming from, You may have a valid point if we include failures due to Bubba's stupidity. I obviously do not have validated data on "conversions" but I do believe that 9 times out of 10 the failures are due to someone letting the high voltage coil output arc over to the solid state switching electronics module. 45000 volts will fry the module in a heart beat. Even getting close could significantly reduce it's life. Too many times I have seen someone remove the coil wire and crank the engine to check something like compression letting the spark arc as it wants to. I do stand by my position that solid state electronic switches are much more reliable that points whether they are used in relays or distributors. Guess we will just have to agree to disagree.



Bullshark

 

I think that I am going to stick with the original setup. My car only has 33,000 miles and I drive it about 1-2 miles are year, so gas mileage, performance and/or reliability issues are not really a consideration for me.

I was having some problems with a gas smell coming from the exhaust and though it might be a carb or tuning/timing problem, hence my interest in the electronic setup, since it claims to need little maintenance/adjustment vs. points. Seems to be problems and advantages for both sides.

In the end, my problems appears to be that one of my spark plug wires was fried and hence one of the cylinders was not firing. So it wasn't a tuning/timing problem. Once I replace, my issue will hopefully be resolved.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

As my Physics professor said back in the early eighties-"Electronics will replace mechanical -because there is nothing to wear out." He also said "one day we will plug our music in-no more tapes to break."

I sorta think this guy was right!! I've converted several cars over to electronic and wouldn't go back...However- I'm NOT running synthetic oil BUT I am running Synthetic Brake fluid!!!

 

I'm not gonna debate the reliability of aftermarket kits for breaker-point distributors that replace points & condenser.

I know this ... typically, replacement parts for such kits (or for Crane/Mallory/MSD stuff) are not readily available at local parts houses; if you have a problem with either it is a near certainty you will wait for shipment.

It is quite true that a good breaker-point setup is VERY reliable and works well.

It's just as true that a good 4-pin GM coil-in-cap HEI distributor (OE on all mid-to-late seventies C3 and all current GMPP crate motors that ship with a distributor) ... or an HEI clone/copy ... is just as reliable as a breaker-point setup. 4-pin HEI continues to be the most popular ignition for chevy V8 ... WHY? ... they work very well, are very reliable, are easily repaired and parts are inexpensive & readily available.

But if ... if you have an electrical problem with breaker-point distributor ... the quick availability of those parts that'll get your distributor firing on all eight also varies. These days, in-stock ignition parts for breaker-point distributors are becoming rarer & rarer. On the other hand, just about any town has a parts house that'll have "firing on all 8" HEI replacement parts; plug wires, coil, cap, rotor, module and pickup ... usually on-the-shelf.

Bottom line ... 4-pin HEI (or a clone with a tach drive on it) is as RELIABLE as anything else and its "firing on all 8" parts are MORE readily AVAILABLE that anything else.

So far, all opinions about comparative reliability (including mine) are anecdotal ... real comparative proof would require exhaustive & expensive MTBF studies like Bullshark's probably all too familiar with. But proof of availability is a horse of a different color ... next time you're at your favorite local parts house, ask the counterman to look up a set of points for a 71 C3 and a module for a 75 C3 ... ask him what's in stock ... ask if he can tell you how many of each he's sold this year ... and ask him what the "manufacturer's popularity code" is for each.

 

Well said Jackson

 

The best conversion and the cheapest was a GM HEI unit from the bone yard " No tach drive" I solved that by buying a small electronic tach from wallmart and I installed it on top of the steering colum between the speedo and the tach and it looked great. Bonus cheap, great performance, parts avaliable everywhere. The best solution is always the simpliest

 

I don't know about anyone else but I have fixed a LOT of cars that died because of points and/or condensor failures. I can't say that makes them unreliable, with a bit of maint, they will run a Long time, but not forever. Usually the contacts burn over time, ot the gap closes up due to wear on the cam follower. My first car was a 69 chevell SS and being 18 and suffering from testerone poisoning, the first thing I did was can the malf Q-Jet and slap on a holly 750 and Accell Eliminator kit with breakerless kit. I never had a problem with it, sold the car 4 yrs later. Have put the same kit and others like it in several cars, no problems ever.
Personally, I like the electronics for the reasons Longevity, reliability and no maint.
Lots of guys use and LOVE points, more power to them. Pretty much a matter of choice.

 

Very well put.