Questions about Pertronix
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,355
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From: Western NC
Questions about Pertronix
I want to know more about Pertronix. I have seen it mentioned several times on here so I did a little research. I've looked at their website, and I've searched and read a few threads in this forum. My ’72 is the first vehicle I have owned and driven since January 26, 1987 that has a non-computerized ignition system. So, I am a little apprehensive about trying to maintain points and condensers, especially after reading about how unreliable the modern-day condensers are. Is the Ignitor/Ignitor II/ Ignitor III the one everyone is talking about having? Does everyone also have their coil and plug wires or something else?
Looks like the set-up might cost me around $200. I discovered that Pertronix stuff is available through my local O’Reilly auto parts store. Not sure how their price compares with other options, but that’ll sure make it convenient for me when/if I decide to pull the trigger on the deal.
Guess the next thing I need to do is find the number(s) on my distributor. The switch-over appears to be pretty easy. What, if any, are the negatives? What are my other options besides Pertronix? Thanks a ton in advance for all the helpful information!
Looks like the set-up might cost me around $200. I discovered that Pertronix stuff is available through my local O’Reilly auto parts store. Not sure how their price compares with other options, but that’ll sure make it convenient for me when/if I decide to pull the trigger on the deal.
Guess the next thing I need to do is find the number(s) on my distributor. The switch-over appears to be pretty easy. What, if any, are the negatives? What are my other options besides Pertronix? Thanks a ton in advance for all the helpful information!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Points are probably unfairly maligned to some extent, but they do need attention now and then, every several thousand miles.
One thing to look at first is end-play in the distributor bushings, and wear on distributor breaker plates and weight slots and such. They get wallered out, gummed up and rusted up and that makes for erratic timing and poor idle. The Pertronix will compensate for this somewhat. If the motor has any miles on it, though, a new distributor would be my first choice, my truck ran noticeably better with a Pertronix but installing a new distributor really made it sing.
One thing to look at first is end-play in the distributor bushings, and wear on distributor breaker plates and weight slots and such. They get wallered out, gummed up and rusted up and that makes for erratic timing and poor idle. The Pertronix will compensate for this somewhat. If the motor has any miles on it, though, a new distributor would be my first choice, my truck ran noticeably better with a Pertronix but installing a new distributor really made it sing.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Western NC
I don't know the history on the motor. I was told the truck had 120,000 miles on it when I bought it, and the motor is not original. It runs fine now, I don't NEED to change it. I'm just looking toward the future for the changeover. Thanks for the advice!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I look at it this way.... points start degrading from initial installation. There are no moving parts with a Pertronix module. It's a shutter wheel and a pickup.
Pros- solid state electronic ignition and one extra wire. Smooth idle. Easier to start.
Cons- If ever it goes out, not every parts store has the correct module. On the other hand, just keep the points and condenser in the glove box and know how to set it up. However, my 65's points have been in the glove box since 1989 and the Pertronix has been dead nuts reliable.
Pros- solid state electronic ignition and one extra wire. Smooth idle. Easier to start.
Cons- If ever it goes out, not every parts store has the correct module. On the other hand, just keep the points and condenser in the glove box and know how to set it up. However, my 65's points have been in the glove box since 1989 and the Pertronix has been dead nuts reliable.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 4
From: Cupertino
It is a fine product. I had the same experience as Hio. I ran units in two '60s era Cougars and in my I-6 for decades. Never a problem.
My only added advice is pay attention whether or not the unit you buy needs or does not need the ballast resistor (aka "pink wire").
Condenser technology was knocked cold in the '40s. They are nothing but two plates separated by a thin layer of mica or other insulator, low voltage. Hard to screw up. But China got into the act and- like everything else- they saved a few pennies and caused guys like us endless grief.
Semper Fi
My only added advice is pay attention whether or not the unit you buy needs or does not need the ballast resistor (aka "pink wire").
Condenser technology was knocked cold in the '40s. They are nothing but two plates separated by a thin layer of mica or other insulator, low voltage. Hard to screw up. But China got into the act and- like everything else- they saved a few pennies and caused guys like us endless grief.
Semper Fi
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
I've been running pertronix in my '70 Stang with absolutely no problems for ten years now. Just to throw another option out there- I purchased an entire new HEI dizzy for $100 online that was made for FE motors. I threw it in my highboy along with a Ford racing wire set ,(the HEI caps are male and a much higher firing KV so wires need to be changed), for less than $200 I couldn't be happier.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 727
Likes: 3
I installed Petronix on my 66 Mustang and it was a quick install and car runs a lot smoother than it did. Take a look at this video that I found on Youtube:
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2014
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I just wanted to leave a link but it appears that it loaded the entire video on the site. Sorry.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2014
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I agree. I watched the video a couple times and felt confident that I could accomplish the swap out in a matter of minutes. The stang is running great and it has been about 1 year. Car starts every time and idles a lot better.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
I've tried three of these units, the Ignitor & Ignitor II & Ignitor III with the matching coils.
I the Ignitor III seem to be the best. I then tried the HEI Chevy type dizzy.
I feel the HEI dizzy unit has it over the Ignitor III unit some what.
But for the ease of installation, I think the Ignitor III would be best bang for your buck
As long as your stock dizzy shaft side to side play if not to bad..
Orich
I the Ignitor III seem to be the best. I then tried the HEI Chevy type dizzy.
I feel the HEI dizzy unit has it over the Ignitor III unit some what.
But for the ease of installation, I think the Ignitor III would be best bang for your buck
As long as your stock dizzy shaft side to side play if not to bad..
Orich
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 19
From: Las Vegas, NV
cool video. I have been considering this upgrade for when I pull my motor.I have read that you can keep the stock coil with the Pertronix 1. I have a stock 300 i6, can anyone verify or correct me on this?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Yeah stock coil even can be used with Ignitor ll but Ignitor lll must use matching coil only for it to work correctly..
The Ignitor l & ll come with a plastic feeler gage for gapping the Ignitor units which is 0.30ths which is max clearance. This is to allow for any dizzy that has a badly worn upper shaft bushing. So no need you get a rebuilt dissy..
I first got mind at a good guys car show and was told, I could set it up as close as
0.08 to 0.10th then. So always set mind at 0.10th with a brass feeler gage..\
Orich
if my dizzy bushing was in good
The Ignitor l & ll come with a plastic feeler gage for gapping the Ignitor units which is 0.30ths which is max clearance. This is to allow for any dizzy that has a badly worn upper shaft bushing. So no need you get a rebuilt dissy..
I first got mind at a good guys car show and was told, I could set it up as close as
0.08 to 0.10th then. So always set mind at 0.10th with a brass feeler gage..\
Orich
if my dizzy bushing was in good