Need serious help with ignition
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: California
Need serious help with ignition
Hey All,
I have a 69 F100 with a 360 - I was burning out condensors at least every two weeks. Then my ignition wiring burnt out right at the switch, replaced that, but had to cut the resistor wire and splice it. Runs fine for a few days now, then same thing with the condensor. Has a new distributor, already burned out 2 coils. put back in an Accel and then decided to try a Petronix ign kit - ignitor II. Thought it would be simple. Installed easy. Didn't want to start at first - sounded like the timing was way way off. Got out the timing light and it was 35 or so btdc. Tried to adjust it down to where it usually is at 6 and it will not run. Sounds like crap with the timing all off, I won't drive it like that, so put back in the old stuff and a new condensor. Timing is back to normal, sounds great. But I know once i get back on the road I'm back where I started.
I really want to get that ignitor working - anyone have any ideas why the timing won't adjust? Thanks for any help - Bill
I have a 69 F100 with a 360 - I was burning out condensors at least every two weeks. Then my ignition wiring burnt out right at the switch, replaced that, but had to cut the resistor wire and splice it. Runs fine for a few days now, then same thing with the condensor. Has a new distributor, already burned out 2 coils. put back in an Accel and then decided to try a Petronix ign kit - ignitor II. Thought it would be simple. Installed easy. Didn't want to start at first - sounded like the timing was way way off. Got out the timing light and it was 35 or so btdc. Tried to adjust it down to where it usually is at 6 and it will not run. Sounds like crap with the timing all off, I won't drive it like that, so put back in the old stuff and a new condensor. Timing is back to normal, sounds great. But I know once i get back on the road I'm back where I started.
I really want to get that ignitor working - anyone have any ideas why the timing won't adjust? Thanks for any help - Bill
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 7
From: Gainesville, GA
Pull the distributor and check the roll pin in the gear, it might have sheared and slipped around. The Pertronix should be a straight forward swap, mine was. As for the condensers burning, did you replace the resistor?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
You need to confirm voltage at coil when running. Sounds like it's too high and thus burning coil/points out.
Something has to be wrong, as it burnt the wiring up?
That Pertronix sounds like it's outta phase with rotor when it's installed. You need to confirm that when the magnet is inline with pickup, that the rotor is pointing directly at a tab on the distributor cap. If not, it will not fire properly. It all depends on how the Pertronix plate bolts down.
Install cap, mark where one of the plug wires goes on the body of distributor. Remove cap and rotate rotor to that mark. Now look to see if the pickup is in line with magnet. If not, then you need to adjust plate til it is centered on it.
Something has to be wrong, as it burnt the wiring up?
That Pertronix sounds like it's outta phase with rotor when it's installed. You need to confirm that when the magnet is inline with pickup, that the rotor is pointing directly at a tab on the distributor cap. If not, it will not fire properly. It all depends on how the Pertronix plate bolts down.
Install cap, mark where one of the plug wires goes on the body of distributor. Remove cap and rotate rotor to that mark. Now look to see if the pickup is in line with magnet. If not, then you need to adjust plate til it is centered on it.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: California
Thanks for the replies. This is my daily driver, and I'm at work now and barely made it here, and don't think it will make it home. Had it towed so many times. i've got everything in the truck so will try to check out where the rotor is sitting after i reinstall the pertronix. I might have to drive it home with the pertronix setup no matter what, because it just won't make it with the old set up.
I just don't understand why when i put the old setup in, get all my settings perfect, timing perfect, sounds and runs like a top, i get on the road and the rpms up and it craps out, dead on the road, and I'm putting in another new condensor or coil. gets me home and then does it again. The distributor only has about 600 miles on it. I carry extra parts and tools with me just so I can get back and forth to work.
so, when i get my break in a little bit here, I'll put the pertronix back in. i can't get a new resistor wire until next week and i have to work. so, if the pertronix will bypass that and i can get it running that would be awesome. Hopefully it is the rotor or plate not in the right position.
I just don't understand why when i put the old setup in, get all my settings perfect, timing perfect, sounds and runs like a top, i get on the road and the rpms up and it craps out, dead on the road, and I'm putting in another new condensor or coil. gets me home and then does it again. The distributor only has about 600 miles on it. I carry extra parts and tools with me just so I can get back and forth to work.
so, when i get my break in a little bit here, I'll put the pertronix back in. i can't get a new resistor wire until next week and i have to work. so, if the pertronix will bypass that and i can get it running that would be awesome. Hopefully it is the rotor or plate not in the right position.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: California
I forgot to add that the igniton wiring burnt just a few at the ignition not a complete meltdown, and that was because i had a loose switch for a real long time and all the wires when I took it off were in a twisted bunch, that's what happened there. I don't have another vehicle and live in the boonies so this is it, have to make it work. thanks again - let you know in a little while if the pertronix went in better this time.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 54
From: Antelope Valley ,CA
+1 at checking voltage to coil , sounds like it is getting full 12v which will burn up the points and condenser . you can buy a block resistor at autozone . then run a whole new wire from coil to ignition just to be safe . could have a grounding problem too.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: California
Hey thanks, so Okay, so I don't need a "resistor" wire if i put in the ballast, I think that's what is called. Because I did order that and it will be here today, and he does have a new ignition plug with wiring, but it doesnt have the resistor wire on it, just regular wiring. This is all going with the old standard ignition and ditching the petronix for now. what do you think?
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Logistics Pro
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: California
Just an update - so far so good. I ran new 14 g wire. I spliced into the resistor wire just enough out of the ignition switch to get it, through the firewall, clip to the new ballast I bolted to metal pretty much over where the driver side tire sits, then wire on clip out on the ballast to the coil. started right up. Got to work today with no cutting out, dying or sputtering. If it stays, then i know it was my old wiring. then i'll go back to my idea of putting in the ignitor II. thanks for all the help. i'll proabbly post back after I get the electronic ign in!
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