points eliminator kits?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Poway, California
points eliminator kits?
Hello all! I have been looking at this forum for a few days now and really like what I see and hear, so I have decided to join. I have a question that may have been asked already, but I haven't seen it. What do you guys think about the points eliminator kits? Has anyone installed them?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Lots have.
There are a number of kits, most use Pertronix.
I have a breakerless-se (http://www.lectriclimited.com/breakerless_se.htm), havn't had any problems with is at all.
There are a number of kits, most use Pertronix.
I have a breakerless-se (http://www.lectriclimited.com/breakerless_se.htm), havn't had any problems with is at all.
Last edited by Mashman; Mar 16, 2012 at 04:24 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,414
Likes: 1,552
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Welcome!
Points or not will surely start a lively debate.
I started with points, read a few ads about how wonderful points eliminators were, got brainwashed, and tried them (Pertronix).
No difference, not more HP, no better mileage and some indicated that if the eliminator failed it meant a tow home and a wait for a replacement.
I went back to points.
My 2 cents worth.
Regards Pete.
I started with points, read a few ads about how wonderful points eliminators were, got brainwashed, and tried them (Pertronix).
No difference, not more HP, no better mileage and some indicated that if the eliminator failed it meant a tow home and a wait for a replacement.
I went back to points.
My 2 cents worth.
Regards Pete.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
best thing since hot buttered popcorn, doesnt do anything for hp , but does increase reliability. BTW an HEI from a pre computer car fits perfect and only requires one wire to hook up, if you want to save your oe dist.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,094
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
I ran a Hayes points eliminator kit on my 69 for around 20 years and just upgraded to an Accel 300+ ignition box. The trigger in the distributor from the Hayes kit is still being used by the Accel box and it's all been flawless since day one. My new system, and most other modern ones, have a rev limiter built in and that's real nice to have if you ever run the car hard. I grew up having to adjust points and timing on a regular basis to maintain top performance and I don't miss doing that at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Hook up any other kit besides a Pertronix Ignitor II or III wrong and you will fry them (including the Ignitor I.) Ignitor II or III will also not fry if you leave keyswitch in run position, most others will. Throw an Ignitor on a worn out old disstributor with a broken ground wire to the points mounting plate, and it won't perform very well. Take the time to bring the distributor back into decent condition and it will run well for many years.
Do a cylinder balance test with the coil wire pulled out of the coil and have the high energy spark jump out of the coil tower to the 12VDC negative terminal and you can kill any trigger system where points would survive. Just thought I would put a little rubbing in there to my buddy, he knows who I'm talking about......
Do a cylinder balance test with the coil wire pulled out of the coil and have the high energy spark jump out of the coil tower to the 12VDC negative terminal and you can kill any trigger system where points would survive. Just thought I would put a little rubbing in there to my buddy, he knows who I'm talking about......
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
they are $140 on rock auto, no adapter needed. heres a moroso
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-350-...99e725&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-350-...99e725&vxp=mtr
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,431
Likes: 124
From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
I had a Mallory (previous owner installed) and it worked great!
Have since upgraded to Mallory HEI however. Hasn't been started yet, so I can't tell you how it's working!
Have since upgraded to Mallory HEI however. Hasn't been started yet, so I can't tell you how it's working!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
electronic conversion kits do absolutely NOTHING but cause you to spend money.
NO increase in power
NO increase in gas milage
LESS overall reliability than points
NO local parts availability so if the module fails you are stuck on the side of the road until you get a new module or re-install points
BUT what you did gain was the appreciation of the vendor you spent your money at buying the useless thing and on a somewhat positive note you will save yourself approx 5-10 minutes a year no longer having to check your dwell like you should do once a year on your points.
If you feel that saving 5-10 minutes a year of your time is worth the cost of the electronic conversion kit and are willing to live with a less reliable ignition system than by all means buy one.
If you insist on eliminating your points ignition than at the very least step up to a tach-drive HEI distributor and forget about those electronic conversion kits that otherwise do nothing for you.
NO increase in power
NO increase in gas milage
LESS overall reliability than points
NO local parts availability so if the module fails you are stuck on the side of the road until you get a new module or re-install points
BUT what you did gain was the appreciation of the vendor you spent your money at buying the useless thing and on a somewhat positive note you will save yourself approx 5-10 minutes a year no longer having to check your dwell like you should do once a year on your points.
If you feel that saving 5-10 minutes a year of your time is worth the cost of the electronic conversion kit and are willing to live with a less reliable ignition system than by all means buy one.
If you insist on eliminating your points ignition than at the very least step up to a tach-drive HEI distributor and forget about those electronic conversion kits that otherwise do nothing for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 651
From: Thunder Bay
I had one of the original Mallory Unilite systems years ago and got about 3 years out of it before it failed. I suspect the later units are more reliable based on the experience of others on this forum.
I put a Pertonix 1 in my '66 and its been there for years. The only advantage is I don't mess with points any more. I always hated them, I can't help but agree with the guys who worry about the reliability. If points give you trouble on the road, you have a chance of getting things working again. If your electronic setup fails, you have a bigger problem.
I guess it depends on which set of problems you would rather have.
I put a Pertonix 1 in my '66 and its been there for years. The only advantage is I don't mess with points any more. I always hated them, I can't help but agree with the guys who worry about the reliability. If points give you trouble on the road, you have a chance of getting things working again. If your electronic setup fails, you have a bigger problem.
I guess it depends on which set of problems you would rather have.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
I question those that infer that points are 'not reliable'. Perhaps they mean 'not durable' which is a very different parameter.
Points need a once a year adjustment in dwell, or maybe once in 3-4 year replacement for the average occasionally driven car. If ignored, performance will degrade slowly until such time that the car will not start or will run very poorly. The breakerless kits on the other hand fail suddenly and usually completely, albeit this is now rare on the latest units.
Since there is NO performance advantage, I'll stick with points and simply check the dwell once a year.
Points need a once a year adjustment in dwell, or maybe once in 3-4 year replacement for the average occasionally driven car. If ignored, performance will degrade slowly until such time that the car will not start or will run very poorly. The breakerless kits on the other hand fail suddenly and usually completely, albeit this is now rare on the latest units.
Since there is NO performance advantage, I'll stick with points and simply check the dwell once a year.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 36
From: Cedar,BC
Three new sets of points,three failures within several miles,the last set simply fell apart.
If you can find a decent set anywhere,sure they may be reliable...I put in the Pertronix and haven't been stuck yet.
If you can find a decent set anywhere,sure they may be reliable...I put in the Pertronix and haven't been stuck yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,353
From: Santa Ana CA
I use the best of both worlds, the Mallory HyFire IV.
We run points, but they only act as a switch to trigger the ignition box that sets the duration. The duration is a function of the box (~45 degrees) and has little to do when the actual duration opening and closing of the points. Also, because the points only act as a switch, they don't arc and burn.
If the box ever fails, a jumper plug by-passes it in under a minute. The points can go so far out of adjustment that the car won't start or run on them, but plug in the box and all is good again.
While many will tell you that a set of good points can make as much power as a good electronic ignition, that is only true when the points are in good condition and properly set. Once they start to burn and go out of adjustment, that all changes.
We run points, but they only act as a switch to trigger the ignition box that sets the duration. The duration is a function of the box (~45 degrees) and has little to do when the actual duration opening and closing of the points. Also, because the points only act as a switch, they don't arc and burn.
If the box ever fails, a jumper plug by-passes it in under a minute. The points can go so far out of adjustment that the car won't start or run on them, but plug in the box and all is good again.
While many will tell you that a set of good points can make as much power as a good electronic ignition, that is only true when the points are in good condition and properly set. Once they start to burn and go out of adjustment, that all changes.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,841
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I ran a Hayes points eliminator kit on my 69 for around 20 years and just upgraded to an Accel 300+ ignition box. The trigger in the distributor from the Hayes kit is still being used by the Accel box and it's all been flawless since day one. My new system, and most other modern ones, have a rev limiter built in and that's real nice to have if you ever run the car hard. I grew up having to adjust points and timing on a regular basis to maintain top performance and I don't miss doing that at all.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Mine most certainly died with no warning, no different than if I'd turned the key off. Being in the middle of nowhere on a nasty day made for a memorable experience. I understand that the gradual deterioration that you experienced may possibly more typical.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 199
From: Palm Bay Florida
I have installed many pertronics kits for customers who think you have to electronic ignition for performance and relablity but I have points in my personal cars never any problems in 36 years of driving corvettes.
Mark
Mark