Re: swapping points for Pertronix
[Re: 1967GTX440]
#1862072
07/02/15 03:12 PM
07/02/15 03:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
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This forum is full of Pertronix users. If you would have done a search on "Pertronix" you would have spent half a day reading, most of it good.
Point-type ignitions have traditionally been limited by the amount of time the points can be kept closed, charging the coil. One trick Chrysler liked to use was dual points, adding a few degrees of dwell. Points also require maintenance and can be affected by physical wear from the rubbing and side thrust. Some mighty fast cars have run points, they just required more maintenance. The Pertronix does little except remove points and condenser from your maintenance list and add dwell. Electronic ignitions in general have a higher "dwell" which keeps the coil at max charge higher in the rpm range. But unless your point-type ignition has problems you won't notice any effect from the conversion other than the placebo effect.
THE ONE THING wrong with a Pertronix conversion is that it doesn't automatically give you a high performance ignition curve. The high performance ignition curve will in nearly all cases make the engine feel like it has come alive. But unless you are like Blazin' Bob, you won't spend the time and/or dollars to recurve your stock type distributor, so you will miss out on much of the benefits you would have gained installing a new distributor with high performance curve.
So to sum it up, I have nothing against Pertronix conversions. Convert away. But before you do that, look at a reasonably priced high performance electronic distributor like the Firecore as an alternative to converting and recurving a stock distributor.
R.
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Re: swapping points for Pertronix
[Re: 1967GTX440]
#1862186
07/02/15 05:56 PM
07/02/15 05:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 570 USA
Hooligan
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 570
USA
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I put a Petronix kit on my daily driver 340 '69 Dart back around 2003. Never any problems, and it still runs today! (except someone else owns it now) I personally have never heard of any Petronix failures. Plus, since then they have come out with improved units P-II and P-III. The price is right, and I recommend that you purchase their coil too. However, I just purchased an awesome ignition system @ www.4secondsflat.com. I say awesome even though I haven't installed it yet, but if you check it out, I think you'll agree. They offer the Petronix Flame Thrower coil with their unit, and it eliminates the factory ballast resistor.
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Re: swapping points for Pertronix
[Re: mopars4ever]
#1862267
07/02/15 07:31 PM
07/02/15 07:31 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,464 Back in NJ....
EWJ
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,464
Back in NJ....
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I did read somewhere that they fail if you leave the key on (not running) for a period of time. Correct: that and do not continually try to get away with a weak battery in the car, as it will also kill the unit (personal experience). I have 2 cars with Pertronix- one for 15 years and the other for 4. User their coil Bypass the resistor Don't leave the key on/not running (at least for P1/PII units) Don't stress it with low voltage Follow these points and you'll be fine. If you need a recurve (highly recommended), then get the plate from 4secondsflat: with a little research here and a few hours in the shop you can do it yourself.
Ed EastCoast Land Yacht Assoc. 1967 Newport Conv: 440/4 speed 1969 GTX: 440/4 speed, TX9/TX9, A34, N96 1970 Super Bee: 383/4 speed, B5/B7 1970 Coronet RT: 440/4 speed, A34, N96 1970 Coronet RT: 440/auto, A36, N96 1970 Road Runner convertible: 383/4 speed TX9/D6XW 1970 GTX: 440+6/727, A32, N96 2001 Dodge 2500 HO CTD, 6 speed, 4x4 quad cab long bed "The early bird may get the worm, but the 2nd mouse gets the cheese".
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Re: swapping points for Pertronix
[Re: EWJ]
#1862387
07/02/15 10:30 PM
07/02/15 10:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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A P swap requires a dist with minimal bushing side play (& never hurts to shim the axial end play to .005" at the lower collar). As you know point dizzys wear more from the flat spring tension over time. AutoZone has em for real cheap or Lowes has the bushings and a 15/32" to 17/32" adjustable reamer is needed to size em (~$20 at Grainger iirc) to fit
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: swapping points for Pertronix
[Re: Scott440]
#1862613
07/03/15 03:23 AM
07/03/15 03:23 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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My (personal) preference: OE electronic dist. HEI module mounted under dist. Any coil I have stashed (E coil would be my pref if buying new). No ballast
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: swapping points for Pertronix
[Re: 1967GTX440]
#1862851
07/03/15 02:55 PM
07/03/15 02:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918 Akron, Ohio
ProSport
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
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I have the Pertronix IgnitorIII distributor in my BB low deck with Eddy heads, it was a nightmare getting the distributor to clear the head but it's been in there for a few months and runs perfect.
I don't like the rev limiter, it kicks in 800 RPM too early so I had to set it higher, and it is hard to set, you have to mess with the little screwdriver knob forever to find the setting you want. I'm considering buying the Pertronix600 rev limit box, it's about $135 but the settings are much easier to do and with it being hardwired into the car I would hope it would be more accurate.
I installed a Raptor shift light also and my tachometer matches the shift light perfectly so I don't think it's my tach.
1970 Challenger, all aluminum 528 Hemi, HDK suspension, Tremec 5 speed manual
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