I had a Pertronix 1 Ignitor in my 56 292, which lasted for 10 miles. It quit last year. Before and since I have read about guys who love them, and others like me who have had bad experiences.
Are there fatal flaws that can be eliminated by people installing Pertronix or similar units? The following is a run down of what was going on with my truck when the ignition failed. The truck and Pertronix had 10 miles accumulated on the road.
Motor is 1956 292 with 57 and later distributor, carb, and flamethrower coil. The ballast resistor was removed. When failure occured:
1. Motor was running extremely rich.
2. Motor died when going down steep driveway, at idle, and after
braking. Motor probably flooded due to carb overflow.
3. MANY attempts to restart made. Much cranking.
4. Checked plugs, no fire.
5. Replaced Pertronix with points, problem solved.
6. At time of incident there was no frame to motor ground strap.
7. During the time the Pertronix was functioning, noticed that whenever
the electric radiator fan came on, rpm's dropped.

 

Does the pertronix instructions recommend this? I would try to figure that out, because it would be a big factor if they say you have to leave it installed.

I have also heard of people who hate the pertronix, and people who love them and claim they make their engine run better. I don't know if there is a quality problem, or it's just a coincidence.

The same is true with carbs. Some people hate holley's and love the edelbrocks, and some people love the holleys. I have pretty much figured this one out. If you happen to have problems with your fuel system(especially dirt), the first carb you stick on the engine is going to fail. If the second carb you stick on it is another brand, and it works, then you will swear by the second carb and knock the first(whatever brand it was).

I would figure out the resistor thing, and see if it's under warrenty and try another. If it's out of warrenty, I would personally would stick with the points system. The points system WILL need a resistor.

 

everyone i ever heard of having problems with a pertronics has run without a resister. everyone i have ever installed is still in use, all with resister in the circuit. all have been in service for over 5 years, and there are 10 with over 10 years, and 5 with over 20 years

 

Maybe no resistor was an issue. The Pertronix Ignitor instructions said that if your system had a resistor, then keep it. However, the instructions for the Flamethrower coil said that it had the proper resistence already built in (it was either 1.5 or 3 ohms), and not to use the ballast resistor. I am still running the Flamethrower coil, with points, and no resistor. If I put the ballast resistor back in line, wouldn't I end up with effectively 2 resistors inline?
The absence of a motor to frame ground strap seemed like it could be a culprit, but I dont know if the pointless ignitions are overly sensitive to inadequate grounding. After the points went back in, and the ground strap was added, the rpms at idle do not drop when the electric fan comes on. The electric fan is grounded to the block.
I would like to try another Pertronix, but sure would like to know what went wrong first.

 

Do you have an ohmmeter? I would check the resistance of the pertronix coil compared to the stock coil. Just for curiosity sake.

 

I dont have one, but will take the two coils over to a mechanic friends. Also need him to check a fuel level gauge to see if it is compatible with my sending unit.
Mike

 

while you may think you have a resister in line, the only way to tell is with a volt meter. remember, with older cars and trucks, you never know what some previous owner did, or did not do. running a resister on a coil with built in will not effect anything, it will just cut the voltage a bit. i never run more than 8 volts to a coil.

 

It is beginning to sound and feel like you guys are solving my mystery. Will still check the comparative resistences of the coils. tjc, regarding a previous owner, essentially there was none. For anything done, good or bad, the buck stops here.

 

Thanks Franklin and tjc. It looks like you ID'd the problem. The Flamethrower I and the stock made in Mexico coils both had 1.5 ohms (plus or minus .05) according to the meter. My mechanic checked out his Flamethrower II and it measured .6 . His instructions for the II said not to use the resistor in certain specified cases. The instructions went on to say that removal of resistor was only applicable to the II. That must have been an update to the instructions that came with the I. Anyway he agreed with both of you that the resistor in my case, with or without points, was mandatory.
Mike

 

glad to help mike. every once in a while the old grey matter still lets a bit of knowlege escape so others can see it before it hides it again.

tom