One Wire Dizzy for FE?
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One Wire Dizzy for FE?
I can put the Pertronix kit in my distributor for $99 bucks, or on Amazon I can get an aluminum cnc turned distributor with GM style coil in the cap, ready to run with one wire hookup, for the same price.
Does any one know if the quality is there? Seems too good to be true but maybe someone here has tried it.
Also, if I put the pertronix in my old distributor, I still need to buy cap rotor and wires, I see a late model conversion to the low profile cap, what's the advantage?t
Does any one know if the quality is there? Seems too good to be true but maybe someone here has tried it.
Also, if I put the pertronix in my old distributor, I still need to buy cap rotor and wires, I see a late model conversion to the low profile cap, what's the advantage?t
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
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From: Antelope Valley ,CA
I have the Gm style dizzy on my 390 , works great and replacement parts available at any auto parts store . I got mine on Ebay (for less)and it came with a wire set ( it takes different wires than stock)
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
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From: Middle Tn.
I've had the Pertronix on my 69 cj for almost 10 years now and it hasn't missed a beat. No matter which you get the rotor and cap will wear with miles. The stock cap is cheap compared to the hei caps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Seems to me I've read more than a few people saying "beware" the el-cheapo distributors. The price is good, but.
The Pertronix module works great but you'll still need to take into account whether the current distributor itself is worn out. If more than 100k it needs replaced imo, tho again not necessarily with overseas junk. Many people blame points for their ignition troubles, but a worn and wobbly distributor rotor makes a lasting adjustment impossible. One thing nice about the stock distributor too, if the Pertronix were to ever fail, it's a simple matter to pop in a set of points and condenser and get back on the road.
The Pertronix module works great but you'll still need to take into account whether the current distributor itself is worn out. If more than 100k it needs replaced imo, tho again not necessarily with overseas junk. Many people blame points for their ignition troubles, but a worn and wobbly distributor rotor makes a lasting adjustment impossible. One thing nice about the stock distributor too, if the Pertronix were to ever fail, it's a simple matter to pop in a set of points and condenser and get back on the road.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
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From: Antelope Valley ,CA
it was about 1.5 to 2 years ago but this is the Ebay user I bought from with his current listing .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-FE-352-360-390-428-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-ACCEL-WIRES-FE-6508-BLUE-5040-K-KIT-/331503376449?hash=item4d2f241841&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-FE-352-360-390-428-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-ACCEL-WIRES-FE-6508-BLUE-5040-K-KIT-/331503376449?hash=item4d2f241841&vxp=mtr
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Antelope Valley ,CA
i researched both before buying , the Pertronixs has a lot of Failure threads too . deciding factor for me was replacement parts availability . I don't like paying big $$$$ to get towed home .
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That's a good deal Mike. I went the safe route and got the Pertronix, coil and a set of wires off Amazon. It was more expensive and I have yet to determine how much play I have in the distributor shaft. I would try that e-bay deal if I had known.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2010
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Hi Mike,
Thanks for the ebay reference on the aftermarket HEI distributor. While many have had no problems with Pertronix, I too have seen numerous failures witnessed on another forum I belong to. Many of the problems seem to stem from older classics with generators instead of alternators, or with alternators that cannot keep up with added electrical loads. When you start adding A/C, cooling fans, etc. sometimes the OEM alternators are just not up to the task, and the Pertronix units seem to fall out when the voltage drops below their design threshold.
Thanks again,
Jay
Thanks for the ebay reference on the aftermarket HEI distributor. While many have had no problems with Pertronix, I too have seen numerous failures witnessed on another forum I belong to. Many of the problems seem to stem from older classics with generators instead of alternators, or with alternators that cannot keep up with added electrical loads. When you start adding A/C, cooling fans, etc. sometimes the OEM alternators are just not up to the task, and the Pertronix units seem to fall out when the voltage drops below their design threshold.
Thanks again,
Jay
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Well they are "solid state" versus... I dunno, "analog" I guess. What I mean by that is, a point system by its very nature is going to be way more forgiving of intermittent, or wonky grounding or things of that nature. It probably doesn't take too much to "zap" the module.
The early Ignitor units would also get roasted if the ignition was left to RUN position for a few hours (without engine running)
But, point systems will pull a similar stunt if the points happen to be closed - roasted ignition coil with oil spewed all over, burnt points. For my part the Pertronix Ignitor has worked flawlessly with a stock 30 amp Generator system in the 64, going on 20 years and thousands of miles in all kinds of weather and terrain. Run the Flamethrower 40k coil and bypass the pink wire, keep spare points and condenser in glovebox but have never needed them so far. Recently bought an epoxy filled coil and threw that in there, "just in case".
The early Ignitor units would also get roasted if the ignition was left to RUN position for a few hours (without engine running)
But, point systems will pull a similar stunt if the points happen to be closed - roasted ignition coil with oil spewed all over, burnt points. For my part the Pertronix Ignitor has worked flawlessly with a stock 30 amp Generator system in the 64, going on 20 years and thousands of miles in all kinds of weather and terrain. Run the Flamethrower 40k coil and bypass the pink wire, keep spare points and condenser in glovebox but have never needed them so far. Recently bought an epoxy filled coil and threw that in there, "just in case".