Pertronix 1281 trouble

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Sep 18, 2011 | 04:17 PM

JimG1098

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,847

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From: Eastern shore,Salisbur,MD

Pertronix 1281 trouble

Hi gang.
Installed Pertronix 1282, and flamthrower coil ( 1.5 ) in early May. Truck started right up. ( 54 ford, 279 ci ) Truck is not on road yet but start it up weekly . Last Sat, Truck was at Idle, and just quit. After doing usual trouble shooting, no spark from coil.
Called Pertronix, they gave me a few additional checks to do. Then thay said to send both pieces back. When it died, the coil was so hot I could not touch it.

Has anyone experienced trouble with the pertronix units, ( 1282 ignitor, flamethrower coil ( 40,000 v ) If so, what was cause of trouble and what was remedy

thanks crew. ( when this happerned I was just so deflated. Everything was going well, ( slow but well )

JimG 1098

Sep 18, 2011 | 05:08 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,294

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From: NM

Back about 7 years ago, Pertronix 6v units were notorious for failing regularly (usually at night and on a dark highway 20 miles from anything). They made some changes, from what I heard, and I haven't heard much since, but almost everyone went to 12v or stayed with points if on 6v.

The generator regulator cutting in and out puts severe spikes into the electrical system as the regulator points arc. It fries a lot of modern electronics. If you stick with 6v and Pertonix, I'd consider adding a filter in the wiring to the ignition, like used on car stereos. Usually a big inductor and capacitor to smooth out/absorb spikes.

Sep 18, 2011 | 06:12 PM

larryb346

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 914

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From: SW Missouri

On most of the old vehicle forums, cars in the 30's to early 50's, the opinion is throw the electronic ignitions away and stick with points.
Pertronix has had, and likely will continue to have, problems with their 6 volt stuff. The early ford forum and several GM forums have discussed this same issue in hundreds of post.
I'm old and am very comfortable with the points and keep in mind these old trucks were driven across country, thousands of times, just like they came from ford. I have put 14,000 miles on my 46 mercury since I have touched the distributor and have points in the 302 in my 55. I am not talking about any electronic ignitions in 12 volt but in 6 volts the vast majority of people seem to end up having issues.
Am sure that's not what you wanted to hear but is my opinion anyway.
Like everything else in life opinions will vary
Larry

Sep 18, 2011 | 06:54 PM

JimG1098

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,847

Likes: 37

From: Eastern shore,Salisbur,MD

Thank you guys. I neglected to say that my truck is a 12v system, But I so appreciate you coments. Since my post, I have been online checking this type of failure out. Seems quite coimmon even on the 12v systems.

Reports of the coils getting so hot We'll kiip looking and wonder what Pertronix will have to say. ( hope they give some sort of explanation) Dont want it to happen again with the replace units.

Jim G 1098

Sep 18, 2011 | 07:31 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,294

Likes: 1,055

From: NM

It is relatively easy to retrofit a stock dizzy to use electronic components. Depends if you are a machinist or have a friendly local guy to chuck up the pieces. MSD and others sell complete distributors that seems to be trouble-free. See the recent thread on ProComp distributors.

Sep 18, 2011 | 08:18 PM

larryb346

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 914

Likes: 51

From: SW Missouri

I had looked at the 1282 number you listed and it showed to a 54 to 56 Y block and it would be for 6 volts. If that's the one your using and it's on 12 volts that might be you issue