any upgraded using this ???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
any upgraded using this ???
Just looking around at upgradinng the stock ignition on my SB 1972 4spd coupe. Read about his in a recent Super Chevy or something like that where they installed this into a 1972 LT-1 and got great results. Curious if anyone on here has tried this kit?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Thanks guys,
Sully
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Thanks guys,
Sully
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
HEI is a great upgrade and most new units have bulletproof reliability. You need to realize that the Pertronix distributor does not have a tach drive, so you would need to convert to a later style electronic tach. The price is in range for HEI distributors with warmed up module and coil. Good quality standard spec HEI's can be purchased for around $125 with some imports selling for under $100.
There is an import HEI with tach drive available from http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/product2158.html for around $289.00. Much cheaper and easier than replacing your tach.
To do a reliable HEI conversion, you'll need to run a new power wire to the distributor. It will be easier since you have your steering column out (yesterdays thread). You'll find a 12ga pink wire going to the ignition switch in the harness at the base of the column. Splice into that large pink wire with a new piece of 12ga wire, solder and heat shrink the splice, and run it through the firewall to the distributor.
This company sells a HEI install kit with wire and connectors http://www.madelectrical.com/
.
Your stock upper ignition shielding won't fit with HEI, so you would need to convert to the later '75 parts.
There is an import HEI with tach drive available from http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/product2158.html for around $289.00. Much cheaper and easier than replacing your tach.
To do a reliable HEI conversion, you'll need to run a new power wire to the distributor. It will be easier since you have your steering column out (yesterdays thread). You'll find a 12ga pink wire going to the ignition switch in the harness at the base of the column. Splice into that large pink wire with a new piece of 12ga wire, solder and heat shrink the splice, and run it through the firewall to the distributor.
This company sells a HEI install kit with wire and connectors http://www.madelectrical.com/
.
Your stock upper ignition shielding won't fit with HEI, so you would need to convert to the later '75 parts.
Last edited by crazywelder; Aug 1, 2007 at 12:45 PM. Reason: Shielding
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: wilmington nc
here"s another import with cable tach drive, there was a group buy on these a while back. http://speedcitymotors.com/product_i...9277696640a3b2
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
not true...
well from what I have read here so far... check this out, I found this through Jim Shea's web site:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000...tion/ignp1.asp
they did this install on a stock 1970 small block vert... it looks pretty straight forward and simple...
Thanks for your thoughts,
Sully
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000...tion/ignp1.asp
they did this install on a stock 1970 small block vert... it looks pretty straight forward and simple...
Thanks for your thoughts,
Sully
Last edited by Sully1882; Aug 2, 2007 at 01:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
These conversion kits have been discussed quite often and many will agree that the original points are better while others believe in these conversions. The Pertronix kit uses an optical sensor to trigger cylinder firing compared to better ignition designs that use magnetic pick-ups as a trigger (GM HEI & MSD for example). Optical sensors are less reliable and less expensive than magnetic designs.
If your distributor is in good condition and considering the few miles that collector cars accumalate, your points should give you many years of reliable service. You could look into getting your stock distributor rebuilt. These conversion kits do not give any performance advantage, all they offer is a way to eliminate the ignition points maintenance. The downside is, if the Pertronix sensor fails, you are stuck if nobody nearby has the replacement part. Whereas with points, any auto parts has them and the problem can be repaired and you'll be on the way.
HEI or other magnetic pickup distributors are still the best conversion available from a performance and reliability standpoint. Just my opinion.
If your distributor is in good condition and considering the few miles that collector cars accumalate, your points should give you many years of reliable service. You could look into getting your stock distributor rebuilt. These conversion kits do not give any performance advantage, all they offer is a way to eliminate the ignition points maintenance. The downside is, if the Pertronix sensor fails, you are stuck if nobody nearby has the replacement part. Whereas with points, any auto parts has them and the problem can be repaired and you'll be on the way.
HEI or other magnetic pickup distributors are still the best conversion available from a performance and reliability standpoint. Just my opinion.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
thank you!
this is exactly why I posted this and the kinds of answers I need. Ahoover... thank you so much for the info! Great help and seeing how my stock setup runs smooth and fine I will probably leave everything alone for now!
Sully
Sully
These conversion kits have been discussed quite often and many will agree that the original points are better while others believe in these conversions. The Pertronix kit uses an optical sensor to trigger cylinder firing compared to better ignition designs that use magnetic pick-ups as a trigger (GM HEI & MSD for example). Optical sensors are less reliable and less expensive than magnetic designs.
If your distributor is in good condition and considering the few miles that collector cars accumalate, your points should give you many years of reliable service. You could look into getting your stock distributor rebuilt. These conversion kits do not give any performance advantage, all they offer is a way to eliminate the ignition points maintenance. The downside is, if the Pertronix sensor fails, you are stuck if nobody nearby has the replacement part. Whereas with points, any auto parts has them and the problem can be repaired and you'll be on the way.
HEI or other magnetic pickup distributors are still the best conversion available from a performance and reliability standpoint. Just my opinion.
If your distributor is in good condition and considering the few miles that collector cars accumalate, your points should give you many years of reliable service. You could look into getting your stock distributor rebuilt. These conversion kits do not give any performance advantage, all they offer is a way to eliminate the ignition points maintenance. The downside is, if the Pertronix sensor fails, you are stuck if nobody nearby has the replacement part. Whereas with points, any auto parts has them and the problem can be repaired and you'll be on the way.
HEI or other magnetic pickup distributors are still the best conversion available from a performance and reliability standpoint. Just my opinion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
These conversion kits have been discussed quite often and many will agree that the original points are better while others believe in these conversions. The Pertronix kit uses an optical sensor to trigger cylinder firing compared to better ignition designs that use magnetic pick-ups as a trigger (GM HEI & MSD for example). Optical sensors are less reliable and less expensive than magnetic designs.
If your distributor is in good condition and considering the few miles that collector cars accumalate, your points should give you many years of reliable service. You could look into getting your stock distributor rebuilt. These conversion kits do not give any performance advantage, all they offer is a way to eliminate the ignition points maintenance. The downside is, if the Pertronix sensor fails, you are stuck if nobody nearby has the replacement part. Whereas with points, any auto parts has them and the problem can be repaired and you'll be on the way.
HEI or other magnetic pickup distributors are still the best conversion available from a performance and reliability standpoint. Just my opinion.
If your distributor is in good condition and considering the few miles that collector cars accumalate, your points should give you many years of reliable service. You could look into getting your stock distributor rebuilt. These conversion kits do not give any performance advantage, all they offer is a way to eliminate the ignition points maintenance. The downside is, if the Pertronix sensor fails, you are stuck if nobody nearby has the replacement part. Whereas with points, any auto parts has them and the problem can be repaired and you'll be on the way.
HEI or other magnetic pickup distributors are still the best conversion available from a performance and reliability standpoint. Just my opinion.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
HEI is a great upgrade and most new units have bulletproof reliability. You need to realize that the Pertronix distributor does not have a tach drive, so you would need to convert to a later style electronic tach. The price is in range for HEI distributors with warmed up module and coil. Good quality standard spec HEI's can be purchased for around $125 with some imports selling for under $100.
There is an import HEI with tach drive available from http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/product2158.html for around $289.00. Much cheaper and easier than replacing your tach.
To do a reliable HEI conversion, you'll need to run a new power wire to the distributor. It will be easier since you have your steering column out (yesterdays thread). You'll find a 12ga pink wire going to the ignition switch in the harness at the base of the column. Splice into that large pink wire with a new piece of 12ga wire, solder and heat shrink the splice, and run it through the firewall to the distributor.
This company sells a HEI install kit with wire and connectors http://www.madelectrical.com/
.
Your stock upper ignition shielding won't fit with HEI, so you would need to convert to the later '75 parts.
There is an import HEI with tach drive available from http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/product2158.html for around $289.00. Much cheaper and easier than replacing your tach.
To do a reliable HEI conversion, you'll need to run a new power wire to the distributor. It will be easier since you have your steering column out (yesterdays thread). You'll find a 12ga pink wire going to the ignition switch in the harness at the base of the column. Splice into that large pink wire with a new piece of 12ga wire, solder and heat shrink the splice, and run it through the firewall to the distributor.
This company sells a HEI install kit with wire and connectors http://www.madelectrical.com/
.
Your stock upper ignition shielding won't fit with HEI, so you would need to convert to the later '75 parts.
Did excactly this when I switched my '73 to HEI. Only Diff was i used a blue butt splice, which is fine if crimped correctly on both ends, and heat shrunk to keep water out. Car runs great. points are old world technology, though some NCRS would ding me 100 points. I think the original model T had a points ing,, right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Pertronix with an "optical" sensor? SINCE WHEN! Pertronix has been using Hall Effect magnetic sensors since I first started using them in the 1970's and I have had great service from these units since then. Make sure you have the points mounting plate properly grounded or you will get erratic operation, misfires from a poor ground path when you do your conversion. Many times I find the wire going from the points plate to the distributor body broken inside of the insulation. You should change this wire for a braidied ground like GM used in the 50's/60's. Go to a electronix store and look for an item called solder wick for desoldering circiut boards, it is the proper style of ground to use during the conversion. I have had excellent results with Pertronix and the Crane set-up might be worth a look-up with it's intregal rev limiter. Junk those points! You can carry them as an emergency spare if the unit should, fail, I have yet to be left stranded by a Pertronix unit.
What ground are you talking about? a ground in an HEI dist set up?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
I did error on the hall effect sensor not being magnetic. I meant to say it is a different design than the variable reluctor sensor found in an HEI. I am biased towards HEI's bulletproof reliability compared to aftermarket parts and not fully convinced on the reliability of the points eliminator kits, but that is just my opinion. Pertronix consists of an aftermarket semiconductor part (hall effect sensor) which depending on quality control could be prone to failure and the fact that you hear of failures and people carrying spare parts, makes me question the reliability.