Pertronix question on dwell
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Pertronix question on dwell
Lots of talk on pertronix lately, so I noticed my dwell on my Pertronix was only 24 degrees. I called and they said that's no problem. I've always kept dwell at 31 to 35 on all points cars so I'm wondering if this might be bad? any thoughts on low dwell and what it does?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Pertronix question on dwell (Surfer69)
When I was running my Ignitor II, I checked the dwell and it was 34. I really don't know if dwell is a meaningful measurement on an electronic ignition module.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: spring city pa
Re: Pertronix question on dwell (Surfer69)
Some electronic units such as the hei change their dwell with the rpm of the engine . Try reading the dwell while operating the throttle lever . I have no first hand experience with the pertronix unit , but I would be interested in knowing if yours does the same thing .
Gman :steering:
Gman :steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Pertronix question on dwell (Surfer69)
Mine runs around 32 degrees. I have the original Ignitor. Which one are you running. I think there are 3 altogether. The original with the magnet wheel that fits under the rotor, the Ignitor with the lobe sensor, and the Ignitor II that has the magnetic wheel but also varies it's configuration to provide better high end spark. I know many people have had problems with the lobe sensor but hadn't heard of many problems with the other two especially the original. IMHO you should not be running 24 degrees dwell.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Re: Pertronix question on dwell (vettfixr)
Yeah, it's the lobe one, not the wheel or not Ignitor II. But now I did some tests to see the voltage and I'm more confused. I disconnected and got rid of the ballast resistor since the new coil (Flame Thrower) had internal resistor. The question is, do I need to connect to 12 v source or am I running 12 volts now that the ballast resistor is gone. Testing coil while running I noticed pos side had 8 volts and neg side had 12. Can someone clear this up.
The car runs and starts fine but wondering if it could be better with 12 volt source?
The car runs and starts fine but wondering if it could be better with 12 volt source?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: MI
Re: Pertronix question on dwell (Surfer69)
Running at 12V is better (hoter ign), but shorten the life of the coil. while the car running, 8V at the + side because of the voltage drop across the coil and the wire. 12V at - side because all you see is the off cycle from the ignitor module. With the meter set to AC, you'll see it fluctuates between 0-12V.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
