Pertronix installation on Flathead
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
I installed my 6 volt pertronix ignitor and flame thrower coil on my OHV 223 today. I must say I am very pleased with it. I set the timing again to match this system. I was able to get the rpms down at idle and get a leaner mixture. I opened up the plug gap a little bit on each plug. My exhaust pipe was black but now it is starting to grey out from just what little time I ran the engine today. The engine has a crisp sound to it now. Money well spent... so far anyway. 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
I installed my 6 volt pertronix ignitor and flame thrower coil on my OHV 223 today. I must say I am very pleased with it. I set the timing again to match this system. I was able to get the rpms down at idle and get a leaner mixture. I opened up the plug gap a little bit on each plug. My exhaust pipe was black but now it is starting to grey out from just what little time I ran the engine today. The engine has a crisp sound to it now. Money well spent... so far anyway.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
I installed my 6 volt pertronix ignitor and flame thrower coil on my OHV 223 today. I must say I am very pleased with it. I set the timing again to match this system. I was able to get the rpms down at idle and get a leaner mixture. I opened up the plug gap a little bit on each plug. My exhaust pipe was black but now it is starting to grey out from just what little time I ran the engine today. The engine has a crisp sound to it now. Money well spent... so far anyway.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
Thanks for the part numbers and the link for KMJ. It saved alot of guess work and frustration.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 80
From: Northville, MI
I installed my 6 volt pertronix ignitor and flame thrower coil on my OHV 223 today. I must say I am very pleased with it. I set the timing again to match this system. I was able to get the rpms down at idle and get a leaner mixture. I opened up the plug gap a little bit on each plug. My exhaust pipe was black but now it is starting to grey out from just what little time I ran the engine today. The engine has a crisp sound to it now. Money well spent... so far anyway.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 37
From: Eastern shore,Salisbur,MD
One of the things the tech told me was that the coil resistance ( ohms) should be matched with the pertroniz unit. Example 1.5 ohms or 3ohms. It will make a difference as to how much current the unit draws and if it draws to much, it will fail
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
If any of you flathead V8 guys want to get rid of the lousy Loadamatic stock distributor and put one in that has centrifugal advance, check out Lindertech, aka GMCBubba. He offers converted Chevy distributors with either points or electronic. I have the points version on my flatty and it runs SOOOO much better than the stock one, I could not be happier. Drop it in and go......
And no I don't work for him, just a happy customer.
Link to Bubba's;
Our Services
And no I don't work for him, just a happy customer.
Link to Bubba's;
Our Services
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
I went over to the BARN and found Bubba's post about the load-o-matic dizzys and saw that he does have a solution for a 223 Inline as well. Down the road I might try this out. Since I am "lightsider" now. It would be a another sublte improvement to the weak system. I send him my drive gear and he fits it to one of his distributers. Pricey but it might be worth it in the long run.
You may also want to try this conversion in post #23: Help with 215 OHV I6 2x1 set up - Page 2 - The Ford Barn.
I have a spare dizzy for the 215. I may send it to Bubba to get done and have it as a spare. I'm also looking for another 215 dizzy to do the conversion in my link. This way, I'll have two spares to try if needed.
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
I went over to the BARN and found Bubba's post about the load-o-matic dizzys and saw that he does have a solution for a 223 Inline as well. Down the road I might try this out. Since I am "lightsider" now. It would be a another sublte improvement to the weak system. I send him my drive gear and he fits it to one of his distributers. Pricey but it might be worth it in the long run.
Another option for the 223 is the Duraspark 2 {or points) dist from a 300 six......some mods are required though.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 9
I will be calling tomorrow to make sure I get the correct 12v application.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
I called Pertronix on Monday and got the correct item# for my application from the rep. Good thing I did because I was gonna order 1281 and the correct product was 1283. Ordered the same day from Amazon with free shipping and it arrived late yesterday. Hope to have time tomorrow night to install it. Hopefully it won't be that complicated.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 9
We've never had it running. I can't get mine to fire, only to turn over. I'm hoping this will be the final piece to the puzzle and it will soon roar to life. The flathead is new to this truck. We put it in a few months back and have been dealing with electrical issues but I am hopeful that we have those figured out. Should know soon enough.