HCD Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Im trying to upgrade my old points distribution system with a 6 volt pos ground Petronix system. most distributors of my 1948 Chrysler New Yorker L8 were made by Prestolite, unfortunately mt distributor tag is unreadable so cant give more specifics to Petronix tech dept. Has anyone on this site done a similiar conversion with a straight 8 Chrysler car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Is the tag still on the distributor body? Sine you can not read the tag from just leaning over the fender you might have to take the dizzy out of the engine to read the tag. If the tag is worn then put some white paper over the tag and do a pencil rubbing of the tag it then might be readable for the numbers. Also make on the block a specific location as a reference point and also a reference point on where the rotor is pointing on the body or lip or edge of the dizzy body. This will help when putting the dizzy back into the block. Since the end of the dizzy shaft has a boss that goes into a slot on the oil pump you are either dead on or could be 180 out of rotation if the car will not start. I have run for the past 35 years points in my 39 Desoto and it still has the original distributor. I use Autolite points and condensors since this is what was delivered when the car was new. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Unfortunately, Autolite points and especially condensors, are no longer new and haven't been for decades. You may be setting yourself up for disaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9 foot box Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 I don’t know if this helps, but a C49 and C50 Chrysler 8 cylinder used a IAR-4101-1 distributor. Rick D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted August 23, 2023 Report Share Posted August 23, 2023 This might not help either , 1946 - 1948 Chrysler 8 cylinder Auto-Lite distributor is model IGt-4201-1 . I don't have a Prestolite catalog . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soth122003 Posted August 24, 2023 Report Share Posted August 24, 2023 According to the Motors Manual the 1948 New Yorker is a C-39N. It has only one listing for a distributor. IGT-4201-1. Joe Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted August 24, 2023 Report Share Posted August 24, 2023 On 8/21/2023 at 4:51 PM, Sniper said: Unfortunately, Autolite points and especially condensors, are no longer new and haven't been for decades. You may be setting yourself up for disaster. Sniper: So if the new reproduction points and condensers are jsut junk and failing what then is the next best thing that we should be purchasing. I have a condenser tester and basically I always look for Autolite points and condensers. I always test my condensers to see what the Micro farads are on each condenser. All of the ones I have I get a rating of .3- .4. So I am staying with this items even though they are no longer being made. Have to draw a line in the sand at some point and I know that the Autolite products were quality products. Everyone picks their own poison. Rich Hartung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 Well, having a tester helps limit the potential, but condensers dry out over time and at some point even the NOS stuff will be DOA. I would shop Mouser or something for a capacitor of the proper value and wire that in. Or, as in my case, go electronic ignition using OEM parts. I understand that this is not an option for judged cars, so there is that to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HCD Posted August 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 I had a difficult time reading the unreadable Prestolite model number, so got creative and painted it with Liquid Gold. surprisingly it did make numbers readable with a camera scope. Petronix electronic ignition model number, PNX-1587P6 is the one for this distributor. P6 is positive ground and 6Volt. Thanks for replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HCD Posted August 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 On 8/24/2023 at 4:06 AM, soth122003 said: According to the Motors Manual the 1948 New Yorker is a C-39N. It has only one listing for a distributor. IGT-4201-1. Joe Lee The Prestolite number was IGT-4201 1, and only numbers Petronix needed was IGT-4201. I was very happy I was able to make the number more readable because couldnt order the upgrade unit without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saskwatch Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 Thank you for keeping us posted….. Good to hear you got it all matched up, Let us know how the Petronix works out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soth122003 Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 I hope the Pertronix works out for you. I don't know what the failure rate is for them, but when the go you are stuck, which means a tow home. I would, just for peace of mind, look for another breaker plate and assemble one as a spare. That way if the Pertonix does fail, you can be on your way with about 5-10 minutes of work. Just a thought as there is no rush to assemble one now and you can take your time getting one. Joe Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HCD Posted August 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 Ive done a few Petronix electronic upgrades on 60s cars, and last one was on my 65 Mercury 4 yrs ago. Ill never go back to points if I can help it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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