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The attached photo (hopefully attached) is of my 1110985. When I disassembled it, I found an electronic module and a circular magnetic piece. I thought it was the Petronix Ignitor, but after reading about it, the circular piece is wrong. There is no name on the module; just 2 labels. One on the side - 01U-V4 and one on the bottom - CARB E.O. D-57-2. To add insult to injury, I can't figure out where the circular magnet fits. I am replacing the distributor, so this exercise is somewhat academic, but I would like to know 1) what is this set up called and 2) where does the magnet fit?
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Looks identical to the pertronix unit I recently removed from my car. The magnet goes under the weights and the screws go up through the rotor. -
Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Don
Thanks. I had tried that, but the magnet would not clear the top of the module. After I read your reply I tried it again, this time with only one of the breaker plates installed. It fits that way. I am curious why there are two plates. In its original configuration this is a dual point distributor. Are both plates original and required for operation?
SteveComment
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Someone else will have to chime in on that one. I have only used it with my single point distributor, and didn't have any clearance issues.Comment
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Only one breaker plate to a distributor; can't imagine how a second one could be installed.Comment
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Welllllllll, that's a good one! I have been using and installing PerTronix units for over 12yrs--------------and I've NEVER seen instructions for 2 breaker plates installed!! When new, a PerTronix kit (the 1181 with the magnet wheel) contains several washers which are used for shimming the magnet wheel DOWN from the rotor until .010-.040 clearance is achieved between the magnet wheel and the module. Also, a PerTronix kit contains shims for shimming the gear on the bottom of the shaft. Personally, I like to shim the gear with about a .005-.008 gap and I like to have about a .020 gap between the magnet wheel and module. I've discovered that if you shim the gap for the magnet wheel to about .010, it may touch the module as the wheel turns due to a slight wobble of the magnet wheel.Comment
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the reason for dual breaker plates is
to prevent the single plate from bending when using heavy spring tension points. "been ther done that" it is quicker than filling the housing with epoxy to stiffen up the breaker plate. this is not need for the conversion to electronic system but it could have been there from beforeComment
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Tom
I understand shimming the magnet to module gap, but what is the the purpose of shimming the drive gear?
SteveComment
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
I was not aware that Pertronix began making a conversion kit for the dual point distributors. I have never seen a listing for one, so I have never bought one for my dual point car.Comment
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Doug
It was on the car when I bought it so I don't know if it is a proper application. But it ran fine before I tore the engine down.
SteveComment
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Yes....
Pertronix has had a dual point conversion kit for quite some time. Plus, the new Breakerless SE (single wire) solid-state ignition systems will also function in a dual point distributor IF it's the '62 style distributor with overhead mechanical advance configuration (the style that used the dual lift window distributor cap). The Breakerless SE will NOT work in the early style dual point distributors that have advance weights beneath the breaker plate, the L-shaped rotor assy and the non-windowed distributor cap....
If you've got a driver car, converting a dual point distributor to solid-state ignition is nice, in my book! Forget about tweaking point adjustment and get on with driving your car vs. doing the tune-ups.... Also, kiss goodbye the 'doom' of having a set of points 'weld' shut on when you're on the road!Comment
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Re: Yes....
I agree Jack. I used a Pertronix unit for a couple of years and it worked great. I recently removed it in favor of the breakerless SE unit. I did not like the extra wire from the distributor to the ballast resistor. The breakerless SE was an easier install with no shimming required. It also looks perfectly stock unless you remove the cap. It works just as well as the Pertronix unit as well.Comment
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Re: Distributor upgrade ID
Steve -
The driven gear-to-housing clearance is shimmed for a couple of reasons: 1) To minimize the up-and-down travel of the mainshaft (and the autocam plate on top of it which carries the magnet ring and the rotor); the driven and drive gears are helical, and if the driven gear clearance is excessive, it can affect the clearance between the top of the module and the bottom of the magnet ring, and 2) To minimize timing variation and "spark-scatter" - as the mainshaft moves up and down, it also rotates due to the helical gears, which affects spark timing.Comment
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