Well I'm getting closer to going to pick up my '65. Less than three weeks away now.

I think one of the first things I would like to do is install a Petronix system.

Now let's get it straight right now, "I'm not a mechanic". I can usual get minor things done if I have good direction. So please bare with me and my (maybe stupid) questions.

1. There are many pieces that you can choose for the convert to "non-points" from Petronix. What is a good reliable shopping list?

2. Roughly how much does your chosen "list" cost. I want to do it right. I plan to keep this baby for a long time!

3. I have heard the Petronix comes with pretty good directions. Is it something that I (with my limited knowledge) could hook up?

4. If I do get it hooked up myself, what about afterwards? Do you need to set timing or check other stuff? I do not have equipment for that nor have I ever done it. Maybe time to invest in new tools if it is something I could teach myself how to do??

I also own a '63 Falcon that has been in storage for the last seven years (raising kids). I hope to get it out this year as well, would it be a good idea to get the same type of system for it? It has a six (170 I believe).

Thanks for the info

Guy

 

Let me see if I can get this started and the gang can help fill in the blanks.

The Pertronix is the easiest upgrade you will do to your truck. The kit comes with everything you need. . (part #1281 I believe, 1957 and up Ford V8's) You will need some basic tools to install it (screwdriver, pliers). After installing it, gap your plugs to about 40-45 and set your timing. Smooth your idle if needed and you are ready to go.

 

scamardo
When I go to the Pertronix web site, I don't see any "Kits" it looks like it's all ale-cart. Ignition I or II, coils, wires.

Guy

 

The only kit you need is the Ignitor I or II. You can opt for getting the coil and wires, but right off the bat, you don't have too. I did, but it wasn't necessary to start enjoying the benefit of the Ignitor.

 

Pertronix will NOT solve a timing problem. The timing is still adjusted by rotating the distributer small increments, along with the use of a timing light. The timing light flashes like a strobe light each time the #1 spark plug fires. Very easy to set up and use. You just need to carefully clean off the timing marks on your engine and harmonic balancer (on the front of the crank)

Now, for the good news -- you pickup may be (probably is) correctly timed, though it would be a good time to check it. The thing that Pertronix swap solves is points and dwell. It also will give a little hotter spark even with the stock coil, and a LOT hotter spark with the Flamethrower coils. You'll get better high RPM performance, better ignition. It probably is more reliable than points, BUT, if the Pertronix Ignitor is not an "off the shelf" item. If it does die, you are looking at swapping back in the points or waiting for a replacement to arrive.

Now, I think that anyone who wants to own a 40 year old vehicle should be capable of the stuff required to do a Pertronix swap. It is not complicated.

I personally recomend swapping to a Flamethrower coil as well, and the extra money for a Ignitor II is worth it solely for the overload protection -- the Ignitor I will burn out if you leave the ignition on for hours with the engine not running. Ignitor II gives you variable dwell and overload protection.

Also -- by upgrading the coil, you can remove the resistor wire from the circuit going to the new coil, sending 12v instead of 6. This sound complicated, but it isn't. For whatever reason, coils well into the 70's "liked" 6v instead of 12. I suspect that reason was that a 12v coil just plain produced too hot of a spark for conventional points. So your system is 12v, but the coil likes 6v. A pink "resistor" wire runs from the ignition switch back to the firewall (under the dash). This wire drops the voltage from 12 to 6.

The Ignitor I and II unit requires 12v. The old coil wants 6v. If you keep the old coil, you need to run a new wire with 12v from a switched source. If, however, you upgrade the coil to 12v, you can bypass the pink resistor wire and use just the existing wiring. Actually simplifies the installation. You will just jump a lead from the pos or switched terminal of the coil on to the ignitor. The second lead coming back from the ignitor to the coil goes to the other terminal.

Finally, the points are pulled out and a pickup unit is installed in the dizzy. This "pickup" or sensor unit is the sum of the Ignitor unit in some applications. In other dizzies, a magnet ring is put on as well.

This may sound more complicated than it is. Go get the Ignitor II and FT I coil -- ebay is a cheap source. Download the Pertronix catalog first to make sure which part # you need. The places selling on ebay have all the standard units, and certainly will have what you need for a 60 ford V8.

Once you have it in hand, you will get understand better. If you have problems, post back. There are LOTS of us who have done it.