Pertronics ignition

[Guest MotorBoy33]

Hello, I am new to the group so be gentle. I have a 33 Plymouth PD coupe, with the following exceptions the car is stock. I have added a 6 Volt Alternator, and I have adapted a BW overdrive to the rear axle Center section. The OD was added to save RPM's rather than make it go faster. During the better weather this car is driven all the time. I wanted to add a Pertronics ignition to it, however, with the armored cable from the Ignition Switch I am not sure how I can hook it up with out frying the unit. Any suggestions will be considered and appreciated. Thanks

[greg g]

Pertronix has had some discussion here both positive and negative. As has the HEI unit made and sold by Tom Langdon. I have though about it a few times and don;t really see the need. Points are cheap and easy enough to change and keep maintained.

I think a lot of folks would like to see and hear about your OD installation. I had a BW type OD in an old Volvo and thought it might be farily easy to adapt.

By the way, welcome to the board. Last I looked nobody bites. Pretty opened to all ideas regarding keeping old mopars on the road.

[Captain Neon]

I'm one of those guys who ends up doing nothing when it comes to OD vs. longer rear end gears. I can't make up my mind, and end up settling for 50 mph cruises. New upholstery is higher on my list than upgrading my powertrain.

[Heavy Flat Head]

Welcome to the forum and what type of mods are envolved in the OD. That sounds like a idea that has merit. Get OD and keep the standard trans and steering column.

Thanks

Ed

[Plymouthy Adams]

I can only say that if you go to the Pertronix unit..pay very close attention to the resistance of your circuit..I did some reading on this last time the subject came up and it was determined that short life in these unit was related to incorrect total resistance in the cirucit...yes..that means possible dropping resistor to balance the load..this was found on the net..sorry I did not mark it as I have no intentions of running a Pertronix unit..suggest you read on the subject closer..even at that..I would recommend that you have a spare in case of failure..no local "on the shelf" parts so you are dead till a new one get to you...further it is also understood that modificationis required on the points plate to mount the unit..going back stock is not a simple R&R procedure...

[billwillard]

If you use there coil you do not use a resistor. You can't use pertronix with 6 volts. It will run ok but voltage drops too low on start up to to fire it. I have used them for years and never had one go bad.

[Plymouthy Adams]

IF..and GIVEN you have your components balanced...there should be no problem. However this is not a perfect world..these cars have had upgrade, coil changes and what not over the years..given these not so perfect conditions the Pertronix page I am listing is by far the best reading you can find if you intend to use their product. Following these instruction, test, measurements and trimming said current draw WILL/SHOULD yield a very reliable ingintion source...I only state that given the mods to the distributor..a spare should be on hand to get you home just in case something does go awry..that is all...maybe given the price of a spare unit you can instead default back to a swap out distributor so you can go back stock till the unit is replaced.

http://www.pertronix.com/support/tips/default.aspx

[50PlymouthSled]

I've ran a pertronix unit, and I wasn't too impressed, I had one go bad on me, and had to replace it. Was not really worth the headache. I would go MSD or Mallory if I was going to run an electronic personally, That's from having run both. But I guess it's all opinion. I know people who like them just fine. So I guess if you are dead set on it, as Tim said, have a spare backup ready.

[james curl]

The July 08 issue of Ol'School Rodz has a tech tip. Old School Electronic Ignition. Says to use a Chrysler electronic ignition module of the type they used on everything from 72 up to 85. It will work with points distributor and it is the only electronic ignition that will. Get the ballast resistor and possibly an electronic ignition coil. Use a Chrysler wiring diagram to wire it up. The module should be in the $20.00 range. The points trigger the module so it will work with an old ignition and twelve volts. Might work with six volts without a ballast resistor. Maybe Tim Adams can weigh in on this with his knowledge of electronics.

[knuckleharley]

I keep seeing a lot of old car talk about Petronix,but has anybody tried the Jacob ignition?

[50PlymouthSled]

The Mopar Electronic ignition you speak of is kinda crappy, My buddy was running that in his 67 Valient before we put in an MSD unit, so I don't think that's a very good route.

[Plymouthy Adams]

It is dependent on the unit you installed and be aware that the some require dual ballast..without the dual ballast the unit will fail prematurely...though they looked alike and would interchange per electrical connection..they are not all equal..one must properly balance the current drain in their ignition system..not so critcal on the ole points but a must do for electronic ingition..

[chesterx]

Pertronix has had some discussion here both positive and negative. As has the HEI unit made and sold by Tom Langdon. I have though about it a few times and don;t really see the need. Points are cheap and easy enough to change and keep maintained.

I think a lot of folks would like to see and hear about your OD installation. I had a BW type OD in an old Volvo and thought it might be farily easy to adapt.

By the way, welcome to the board. Last I looked nobody bites. Pretty opened to all ideas regarding keeping old mopars on the road.

Pertronix Points Eliminators work well in the 6v applications, just use the 1.5 ohm coil. Been running mine for 2 years now no problems.

[billwillard]

Chester, Are you still postive ground 6vt? I tryed that and car wouldn't start until I went to 12vt neg groung. Do you remember what # you used?

Bill

[Normspeed]

Unless you're going for really high rpms where points might bounce it's hard to fault the stock distributors if they are cleaned, lubed and set up right with quality parts. Then there are the performance fanatics with the dual points...

[50PlymouthSled]

I'm running a big block in my 50, so I had to. Haha. I couldn't live with points.

[chesterx]

Chester, Are you still postive ground 6vt? I tryed that and car wouldn't start until I went to 12vt neg groung. Do you remember what # you used?

Bill

If you search this forum you will find the numbers for stock distidutor application. I have spareat home but am out of town. If you cannot locate PM me and I will send the numbers next week.

[Normspeed]

How about the good old trap door in the firewall?

I'm running a big block in my 50, so I had to. Haha. I couldn't live with points.

[Don Coatney]

Unless you're going for really high rpms where points might bounce it's hard to fault the stock distributors if they are cleaned, lubed and set up right with quality parts. Then there are the performance fanatics with the dual points...

I dont think one can spin a mopar flathead 6 fast enough to float the

points.

I'm running a big block in my 50, so I had to. Haha. I couldn't live with points.

I am one of the performance fanatics with the dual points that Normspeed

mentioned above. I have driven my big block over fourteen thousand miles

with my dual point setup and it has never missed a lick. I see no reason to

convert to a no point ignition system.