LTD Pertronix Question?
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 346
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From: Eastern Virginia
Pertronix Question?
I recently installed the Pertronix Ignitor II and Flame Thrower 45000V coil on the LTD I have. I took it off this evening and re-installed the points- fires up much quicker. I couldn't get it to start satisfactory with the Pertronix. It started very slowly due to a delay in the coil firing. I had a full 12V going to the unit. Anyone else have this problem. I'm calling Pertronix tomorrow and see if they know what's going on. I'm not to happy at all considering what the thing costed and how they claim it will start better. Anybody else have this problem with the Ignitor II?
I would like to go to a Duraspark (I guess it's Ford's early electronic ignition) like I have on my '75 F150. It starts great all the time with a bump of the key hot or cold. But I would like to keep the underhood area fairly stock for shows.
I would like to go to a Duraspark (I guess it's Ford's early electronic ignition) like I have on my '75 F150. It starts great all the time with a bump of the key hot or cold. But I would like to keep the underhood area fairly stock for shows.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 2
From: okc
i dont know about your coil issue, but i helped a member of our chapter install a pertronix in his 68 F-100's 360, it was so simple it almost confused me...but we put it in per the instructions and the truck fired right up, alot better than the points he had in it.....so id say your problem is related to the coil somehow, cause the pertronix unit itself its pretty much fool proof to install as long as you use the provided gap tool.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 64
Originally Posted by 71LTD390
I recently installed the Pertronix Ignitor II and Flame Thrower 45000V coil on the LTD I have. I took it off this evening and re-installed the points- fires up much quicker. I couldn't get it to start satisfactory with the Pertronix. It started very slowly due to a delay in the coil firing. I had a full 12V going to the unit. Anyone else have this problem. I'm calling Pertronix tomorrow and see if they know what's going on. I'm not to happy at all considering what the thing costed and how they claim it will start better. Anybody else have this problem with the Ignitor II?
I would like to go to a Duraspark (I guess it's Ford's early electronic ignition) like I have on my '75 F150. It starts great all the time with a bump of the key hot or cold. But I would like to keep the underhood area fairly stock for shows.
I would like to go to a Duraspark (I guess it's Ford's early electronic ignition) like I have on my '75 F150. It starts great all the time with a bump of the key hot or cold. But I would like to keep the underhood area fairly stock for shows.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
I've got Pertronix on several pickups... they've been awesome... going on 9 years now with the original module. I run Crane Cams Hi6s box and lx91 coils along with pertronix...
I'd say you have some wiring issues or another problem... pertronix is the most reliable ignition system I've ever seen.
I'd say you have some wiring issues or another problem... pertronix is the most reliable ignition system I've ever seen.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 455
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From: Alaska
I have used PERTONIX units in several cars, trucks and in my boat, they have always been reliable but are very sensitive to grounding issues, if you have problems with one, check ALL the grounding points including the ones you may not be aware of.
I know that may sound odd, but I found a faulty ground in the boat that I had overlooked and didn't know about, now it runs great.
I know that may sound odd, but I found a faulty ground in the boat that I had overlooked and didn't know about, now it runs great.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 346
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From: Eastern Virginia
I checked all of the grounds I was aware of with my tester. I know it grounds at the distributor but what are the hidden ones? I might have to check them out. I pulled a spark plug wire and attached a grounded spare spark plug. The engine had to turn quite a bit before the unit would fire. It really surprised me. It has a new cap, rotor, and plug wires. I also used the Pertronix coil. I popped the points back in and the thing fires immediately. Seems if the points work, the Pertronix should work. Are you all running the Ignitor II or the regular Pertronix? I was wondering if it was an Ignitor II issue. I checked and double checked everything. I'm going to send it back and see what's going on. For now the points are doing much better.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 4
From: Southern Oregon
Originally Posted by FSC
I have used PERTONIX units in several cars, trucks and in my boat, they have always been reliable but are very sensitive to grounding issues, if you have problems with one, check ALL the grounding points including the ones you may not be aware of.
I know that may sound odd, but I found a faulty ground in the boat that I had overlooked and didn't know about, now it runs great.
I know that may sound odd, but I found a faulty ground in the boat that I had overlooked and didn't know about, now it runs great.
I put the points back in and resistor, added a cable from frame to motor, and now there is no decrease in rpms when fan comes on.
Is it possible that under full electrical load an undersized alternator could result in voltage drop that ends up killing the Pertronix?
Last edited by 46yblock; Oct 12, 2005 at 01:30 AM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
You need to run a resistor with that type of coil... 37 amps is plenty of alternator for these rigs... You do need plenty of ground straps because of rust on these trucks... proper grounding will actually prevent rust.
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7
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I had the same problem on my 55' mercury with a 302. It took me forever to figure it out, but what did it for me was using plain old Autolite plugs with a wide gap. These Pertronix kits generate a fat spark, and if you're using anything like those Bosch platinums, etc etc, and not something with a Hot spark, then it will run like garbage.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 346
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From: Eastern Virginia
I have new ground cables and straps. One from the battery to the block and one from the head to the firewall. It just wouldn't fire the dummy plug I rigged up until after a couple seconds of cranking-hot or cold. I'm a bit dissapointed. Especially after I put the points back in and it starts perfectly. I haven't had a chance to call them yet. Hopefully if I get home at a decent hour tomorrow i'll give them a ring. Wish they had an 800 number then i'd call at work. I'd like to send it back and get it looked at to see if something is defective.
I also played around with plug gaps. I tried everything from .035 to .044. And I use nothing but plain Autolites in all my Fords.
I also played around with plug gaps. I tried everything from .035 to .044. And I use nothing but plain Autolites in all my Fords.
Last edited by 71LTD390; Oct 13, 2005 at 08:01 PM.