Posting this question for a friend re: ignitions

[David Maxwell]

"I have a question on behalf of a few friends a mine out here with p-15's ....they all wanted to know if a pertronix type ignition was still available for the stock 6 volt plymouth flatty? Some of them have 53 6 cyl engines in there cars...I think the distrib is the same for all the cars anyway"

Thanks for any help you can provide them!

David

[greg g]

Check the pertronix website and look for chrysler agricultural or marine (chriscraft or centrury) engines. Massey Ferguson combines Cockshutt tractors, Clark airport tugs maybe another. They list a kit for those engines, should work as those are big blocks but only difference is length of drive tang. The guts should be the same. I believe it is part number 1561 P6, the p6 denoting 6V+. This is the common number for all early 6 cylinders using autolite/prestolite IAD series distributors.

[Lou Earle]

Mo0st folks have not had good results with them - including me on my A model

[Norm's Coupe]

Also check Crane Cams. They have a similar set up. If you can't find the part number on their site, call them. If you still have trouble, let me know. I have the info someplace.

[James_Douglas]

David,

If you get a GOOD selection of 6 volt condenser's and play with then until you get it correct the points will last a good 15K miles.

The problem is finding just that perfect condenser that is matched to the distributor, wire resistance, and coil.

James

[Lou Earle]

My points seem to last about 12 to 15 m - with what ever kit i buy.

Frankly it is so easy to change the points I have never bothered to use electronic in a plymouth or dodge- I had thought that the electronic was the asnwer on an A model but it was a major fault- one shor and the thing is gone- I went back to points

Lou

[Guest jtw3749c]

This is not exactly a Mopar engine, but my engine was just plain stubborn when it came to starting after sitting for around one week. So I decided to try the Pertronix and I want to tell you that it made a world of difference in that thing starting. Plus the spark to the plugs is stronger. I've had mine for 4 years and no problems. I was a points man for many years, but not anymore. I do carry a set of points and condenser, just in case. But I'll bet my DeSoto would start a lot better if I would install electronics in it.

Just my $.02, JT

[bob_amos]

David, If I am correct, they are still avail for most vehicles. I have installed a number of them in both 6 and 12 volt vehiclles. BUT.... Every single one I have installed came back and had to be reconverted to point systems. Even that 63 Belair of mine had one in it and it too failed. I know.. some of you have had good luck with them. I can only speak for myself and what has been installed in my shop. I just don't seem to have your luck with them so, I no longer offer tham to customers. Some of the guys here have e-mailed me about reworking and fitting a slant 6 distributor into these cars including the original Chrysler electronic system. I have never seen one but agree with them that it might work. That would then require the factory complete electronic ignition system be installed. Probably a better choice though.

[randroid]

Gents,

"Cockshutt" tractors? How'd they sell? And here I thought those fat chicks on the Ford were gross.

-Randy

[Don Coatney]

There is even an international Cockshutt club.

http://www.cockshutt.com/

[Dennis_MN]

Couldn't help but think of this posting when I was at the truck show today

[Dennis_MN]

And it was hauled by a COE

[David Maxwell]

I passed on the info to my friend along with a link to this thread.

[Guest jjmorrse]

I personally like points. While it's true that the points need replaced regularly, It seems to me that of the reasons people go to electronic is to get of high rpm points bounce, but with these low revving engines, I do not really see the benefit.

[De Soto Frank]

I've touched the points in my '41 De Soto once in the 10 years/ 20,000+ miles I 've had it; that was about 5 years ago, just cleaning & re-gapping.

I've been carrying the same set of spare Blue Streak lubri-points in the little section-box of my tool box for the same amount of time.

If the vehicle in question was "hard to start after sitting for a week", my first suspect would be modern gasoline evaporating out of the carb while it sits.

This is the case with all of my carbureted vehicles.

For what that's worth...

My only "points-eater" was my '72 Chevy pick-up (250 six), and that was because the cheap points I was buying had a nylon rubbing block that wore very quickly... went back to Blue Streak Lubri-Points, and that was the last set I put in the old bucket.

De Soto Frank