Spot Rot

I'm thinking about going to an electronic ignition system for my 73.

The choices seem to be:

1. Early OEM - very expensive parts and used to die too often
2. HEI tach drive distributor - need to change to HEI plug wires and won't fit under shielding
3. MSD or Accel electronic tach drive distributor but needs ignition box
4. Pertronix systems fit inside stock distributor and can use stock coil (II & II require some rewiring) 2 wires come out from distributor
5. Breakerless-SE-Ignition-Kit also fits inside stock distributor and can use stock coil but I doubt the two-piece stamped tin rotor would produce equal timing for all cylinders

If anybody has had problems with these, or can add pros or cons to one of these systems it would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John

(And, yes, I believe it will make no noticeable difference in everyday driving)

OldCarBum

All depends on what you call a noticeable difference.
I've swapped from OEM to an MSD system on several vehicles and boats. I've never felt an increase in torque or horsepower, but I've noticed easier starts, smoother idle, and a little snappier throttle response, which is significant in a daily driver. Just follow the instructions and call MSD tech line if any questions come up. I'll be swapping to MSD when I pull my motor for the rebuild/upgrade.

MelWff

you seem to have the same thread running in two forums

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-problems.html

0Willcox Corvette

I have the pertronix in my 62 and the MSD in my 72. I love the kit in my 62 because I eliminated the point bouncing issue I was having. The car fires right up without any issue.

I like the MSD kit with the tach drive distributor but one thing MSD won't tell you is that you can not jump start a car with MSD ignition. Oh, you might get away with it a few times but when you have a battery charger in the "Start" position it will more than likely zap a diode in the MSD box. We leaned this the hard way after trashing two boxes and calling MSD only to be told by their tech team you should never do it... You'd think they would put a note in the box when you install it huh... So the only work around is to pull the battery cable and charge the battery.

Willcox

jnb5101

There is absolutely no benefit gained in switching to an electronic system-unless you're running a 7500 RPM monster engine. Not cost, fuel economy, performance and least of all, reliability. Rebuild (or have someone knowledgeable) the stock distributor and you're good for 6000 RPM.

0Willcox Corvette

My points were floating at 6000 on my 62... (dual point distributor too)... This is why I switched. But, in all fairness I doubt the OP is turning this many RPMS's. I've not had any issues with the pertronix kit either way.

Willcox

Spot Rot

Thank you for the posts. I appreciate the information, especially regarding reliability.

My mistake about posting twice. I could not find my original post in the General forum (perhaps I needed to refresh) so I (wrongly) guessed it was deleted being perhaps better suited for Tech/Performance.

In any case, forum members once again provided what I needed: info from experience as opposed to advertising hype.

Ali Vette

My '71 came with an electronic style on it, yes the shielding fits on but there is an extra coil and wires running different places.

Took that stuff off and dropped a tach drive HEI on there, set the base timing and it runs better than it ever did before. I took all the shielding and brackets off, and personally I like the look of the distributor don't see any need to cover it up. Just get nice wires and spend some time routing them neatly.

I may go back to electronic when I have to run a MSD boost timing master for some forced induction, but for now I like the simplicity of the HEI, it only needed one power wire which I ran a new one so I know the wiring is good for a long time and of sufficient gauge.

Jebbysan

If there was no benefit......nobody, including the auto industry, would use it......
Granted.....the benefit is less on a 72' 350/200 Vette........but it increases dramatically when running a large overlap cam......this is the MSD box in action below 3000 providing multiple sparks......
Besides the electronic component....the distributor itself is much easier to curve precisely.......
And last but not least.......if you leave the key on with the engine off you risk zero chance of burning the points......points it is 50/50 if they are open or closed......

I like the MSD setup with the 6AL and a hot coil.......makes a super fat spark kernel with a NGK plug.......mini arc welder.....points do not do that......

Jebby

rcread

I have MSD distributor, 6A ignition and coil on my '71, mostly so I wouldn't have to deal with points. There's no other advantage over a properly functioning factory set up. Either the fuel/air mixture ignites or it doesn't.

69427

Nonsense.

I converted my stock distributor to pointless decades ago. It's stone reliable (I use a proven and reliable Delco HEI module to switch the stock Delco can coil). There's nothing to wear out, and the extra energy delivered to the system allows for a lot longer plug life (important to those of us running a big block, and one of the main reasons for GM changing to the HEI system) and my timing isn't constantly trying to self retard as a rubbing block wears down.

Tim Ware

MSD !!! I switched not for the performance, but to eliminate point adjustments ( as the gap closes, which it does, the timing is constantly changing )and for better all-around "driveability." The constant monitoring by MSD of your driving conditions eliminates pinging and most poor fuel situations. Much cleaner low-end response. If points were good, original equipment would still use them. You can always hide the 6AL box . Go with the Blaster coil & it will not be seen. Welcome to the 21st century !
Tim

jnb5101

Say what you want about the reliability of HEI and point-less systems, I'm an old fart and if I can see the points open and close, I know that I can make it home. If one of those new-fangled systems dies, those damn electrons are really hard to see. And then there is the issue of cheap, soft metal used in the main shaft, cross shaft and tach drive gears. As many corners GM cut to save money, those OEM distributors can go 100K miles. I used to wind my SB and BBC to 6K without a hitch.

mrvette

My '72 had the points, and I tried and cried but just no way was I going to equal the performance of the '87 L98 setup in economy or easy driving....so it being a old show car, it grew L98 injection and electric tach and some other goodies along the way......

NOW I have a highly modified LT1 injection setup with HEI up top the way GOD intended.......by by soggy opti sparks.....edit....forgot to mention greatly improved MPG....24 mpg up/down I 95 doing 80 at 4000 rpm......steady on.....

69427

Um, an HEI is a 40 year old design. What exactly is your definition of "new fangled"?

Jeff_Keryk

They all work. Pertronix is a nice easy way to eliminate points. MSD is good if you have the need. I have had great luck with both. Personally, I tore all that stuff of my car, because as I get older I enjoy the stock configuration of these cars. Mine is a base L36... But that's just me.

BarryB72

My 72 350/200 ran really bad above 3000 rpm and the higher it went the worse it got. It literally wouldn't rev past 4000 in 1st 2nd or 3rd.

The guy that was working on it experimented with a different stock distributor and it ran a little better then threw in an HEI distributor from summit and it runs perfect. While my goal was to just diagnose the problem I ended buying the distributor and plug wires from him and drove it home. The stock shield fit, by the way. It does touch the air cleaner though.

So I know the problem is either the reproduction dated wires, the reproduction coil, or the distributor that had been rebuilt a few years ago, and when I get the urge I'll have all of that stuff tested and rebuilt if needed, but in the meantime it runs great - just weird not seeing a coil.

riverracer au

Breakerless-SE for me
installed in bout 1/2hr, turned key, fired straight up
used stock coil, no extra wires to see for original look.

have since replaced the original 44yr old coil, still a stock unit, same great spark.