pertronix ignitor
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 735
From: Youngstown Ohio
I used the Pertronics Ignitor II before switching to my current HEI.....no problems for years, never had to open the dist. cap for maintenance and shifted at 6500 RPM at the track. In fact, a friend is borrowing the distributor now and it is still trouble free.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I like them and they work great.The only problem I have found on the Pertroix II-the one without the magnetic ring under the rotor is that you have to leave the ign. in the on position for a second before going to the start position. I have found if you go directly to start the engine cranks longer before firing.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
I've had both Pertronix I and II, recently while checking compression in the cylinders I found out the hard way to disconnect the unit before you crank the engine (8 times per cylinder), I damaged the unit... 
I just recently switched to a Crane XR-I unit from a recommendation of a Forum member, with a built in rev limiter(knocks out cylinders) and no magnet needed, it's alot easier to install and at $30.00 cheaper you can keep a spare.....I've heard alot of good things about this unit...
I just recently switched to a Crane XR-I unit from a recommendation of a Forum member, with a built in rev limiter(knocks out cylinders) and no magnet needed, it's alot easier to install and at $30.00 cheaper you can keep a spare.....I've heard alot of good things about this unit...
Last edited by 73jst4fun; Jun 3, 2007 at 07:04 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Shouldn't you always disconnect the ignition if you crank with the ignitor plugs removed or disconnected ? The high voltage spark will always find a way to ground , so if the shortest way over the plug gaps is missing, it will find the next shortest, even through the ignition wire insulation if so required.
I have the pertronix 1 for 4 years now and had no issues. Also had a ingitor lead plug coming off during driving from the plug and even this did not damage the petronix.
And if it gives up enroute, it is not impossible to reinstall the old contact wihtin 1/2 hrs or faster ( if you still remember how it all fits ).
So either have a spare pertronix or the old contact + removed hardware and a digi photo of how it was installed before mod.
Günther
Shouldn't you always disconnect the ignition if you crank with the ignitor plugs removed or disconnected ? The high voltage spark will always find a way to ground , so if the shortest way over the plug gaps is missing, it will find the next shortest, even through the ignition wire insulation if so required.
I have the pertronix 1 for 4 years now and had no issues. Also had a ingitor lead plug coming off during driving from the plug and even this did not damage the petronix.
And if it gives up enroute, it is not impossible to reinstall the old contact wihtin 1/2 hrs or faster ( if you still remember how it all fits ).
So either have a spare pertronix or the old contact + removed hardware and a digi photo of how it was installed before mod.
Günther
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Toledo,Ohio,USA
Yes, the output of the Pertronix II does drop off a lot after 5000 RPMs,
that what I'm using. Even the box the kit came in has a graph showing over double the voltage output of point at 2500 RPMs but drops back to the stock points output by 5500. Mine worked fine until I added nitrous and then it would miss a little sometimes above 5000 RPMS. I added a MSD box and used the Pertronix to trigger it and problem solved.
that what I'm using. Even the box the kit came in has a graph showing over double the voltage output of point at 2500 RPMs but drops back to the stock points output by 5500. Mine worked fine until I added nitrous and then it would miss a little sometimes above 5000 RPMS. I added a MSD box and used the Pertronix to trigger it and problem solved.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Yes, the output of the Pertronix II does drop off a lot after 5000 RPMs,
that what I'm using. Even the box the kit came in has a graph showing over double the voltage output of point at 2500 RPMs but drops back to the stock points output by 5500. Mine worked fine until I added nitrous and then it would miss a little sometimes above 5000 RPMS. I added a MSD box and used the Pertronix to trigger it and problem solved.
that what I'm using. Even the box the kit came in has a graph showing over double the voltage output of point at 2500 RPMs but drops back to the stock points output by 5500. Mine worked fine until I added nitrous and then it would miss a little sometimes above 5000 RPMS. I added a MSD box and used the Pertronix to trigger it and problem solved.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: sherbrooke quebec
We had one installed and noticed that it takes longer to start,cold or hot,this is the one with the magnetic ring under the rotor.The instructions sais that the gap must be between .010 to .060 ,mine is at .040 .Is it beter if it is closer to .010 ? We want to install one in the other vette ,that is why we need a little more info than what it is written on the box .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Since it is a magnetic trigger, it probably works best closer.
Just watch that it's never touching as the magnet ring is made out of some plastic not 100 % true straight. That's at least with the one , I installed. It some kind of wobbles , but stays within specs all the time.
Günther
Since it is a magnetic trigger, it probably works best closer.
Just watch that it's never touching as the magnet ring is made out of some plastic not 100 % true straight. That's at least with the one , I installed. It some kind of wobbles , but stays within specs all the time.
Günther
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 735
From: Youngstown Ohio
We had one installed and noticed that it takes longer to start,cold or hot,this is the one with the magnetic ring under the rotor.The instructions sais that the gap must be between .010 to .060 ,mine is at .040 .Is it beter if it is closer to .010 ? We want to install one in the other vette ,that is why we need a little more info than what it is written on the box .
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I will add I always remove the distributor to install and clean and check.It makes it easier to check dist. end play and be sure magnetic ring will not hit.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: sherbrooke quebec
Thank's to everyone for your help.
Ron.
