Help with Pertronix install

[Michael L.]

Guys,

i'm looking to install the Pertronix ignitor in my 69 L 46 non- transistor ignition car. My plan is to use the Pertronix until I work out the bugs in the rest of the car and then go back to the factory points system. I'm just not sure which of the install diagrams I need to follow. The instructions vary on whether or not there is a ballast resistor in my factory system (see pic). Is there one, and what's the best way of wiring in the new Pertronix system? Thanks for your help.


Mike

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[Mike E.]

[Michael L.]

[Mark E.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

That's a better, and simpler, plan.

[Frank D.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

The wiring depends on which Ignitor you have, is it the I, II, or, III? The III requires 12V but has the rev limiter feature....
Frankly, you have less variables to deal with to "get the car running" with the old school points.

If you are later determined to convert the points then the Lectric Limited Breakerless SE is the way to go and I've run both systems...for many years.

[Duke W.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

Guys,
My plan is to use the Pertronix until I work out the bugs in the rest of the car and then go back to the factory points system.
Mike

Can you explain this statement... makes no sense to me. Why not just install and adjust the simple ignition points and leave it at that rather than screwing around with a black box that you aren't sure how to install.

Duke

[Michael L.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

Mainly I was referring to the need to set the dwell, which is, of course, easy to do but I long ago got rid of my dwell meter as none of my other cars have points ignition, having long ago upgraded them all to electronic ignition. A quick survey of my neighborhood parts stores told me that none of them carried car analyzers anymore that can measure dwell, which meant I would have to order one and wait for it to come in. Also, I'm actually much less familiar with points and condenser than I am with electronic ignition, and modern electronic ignition has been, in my experience, relatively maintenance free and fairly fool proof, although all the other systems I have used were not add-on systems like the Pertronix but full on MSD billet distributors. It just seemed like one less variable that I would need to worry about while sorting out the other 15 things that are probably out of wack with the car. As I said, I ultimately decided to order the meter and stick with the points.

[Larry M.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

A dwell meter is obviously best for setting points. But many of us have simply used a feeler gage. My cars in the early days logged tens of thousands of miles with points set only with a feeler gage. My Dad was a FORD dealer mechanic who never used a dwell meter in his life, and tuned up literally hundreds and hundreds of cars.

I finally went "high tech" when I got my 1965 MOPAR big block with the dual factory points (with no easy adjustment hex drive like the GM stuff).

Larry

[Edward D.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

Michael,
A modern electronic digital timing light like I use in my shop not only does timing (you can dial in total advance) but it also does dwell, RPM, and voltage; all in one instrument. Its worth investing in one. Like others have told you, nothing wrong with points using a stock coil and ballast. Simply set initially at .017 with a feeler gauge and adjust with a 1/8 hex while running to 30 deg. If you must have electronic ignition, the best for a stock look is the Lectric Limited Stealth SE; a bit of a pain to install the blade ring under the rotor plate but it requires no power and uses the single black stock wire, so undetecteble without removing the distributor cap. The Pertronix on the other hand can be troublesome, I wish I had a buck for every failed one I have removed because it was wired incorrectly. Avoid the old "magnet ring" version, the later 1181LS (lobe sensor) is better. The Pertronix requires a keyed 12V. So, on a ballast resistor car you connect the red wire to the 12V feed side of the resistor from the ignition. On resistor wire car you have to either splice in ahead of the resistor wire or find another 12V keyed source> I have seen them connected to the power wire (yellow) to the wiper motor, but that is also hot in the accessory key position. The big mistake most people make is connecting the Pertronix red wire to the coil + terminal, which gives it appox 9V and will it will work for awhile but will ultimately fail. On a ballast resistor car, you can eliminate the ballast resistor and use a coil with an internal resistor (like the Pertronix coils) and run the red wire to the coil + terminal.

[Mark E.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

Michael,
A modern electronic digital timing light like I use in my shop not only does timing (you can dial in total advance) but it also does dwell, RPM, and voltage; all in one instrument. Its worth investing in one.

Edward- Do you recommend a particular brand/model timing light?

[Hank D.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

My 2-cents....this has worked well for me:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Robert I.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

My 62 was in the shop for 2 years. I didn't think I'd live long enough to ever drive it again, so I pulled it out. They had already installed a Petronix. Maybe it's in the instructions, but when you go to start it, where do you set the distributor. Where do you start off before you set the timing?

[Leif A.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

Bob,
There is no "setting" of the Petronix like you would have to do with a standard points setup. Just go ahead and set your timing like you normally would. Let us know how it works out for you.

[Robert I.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

"Bob,
There is no "setting" of the Petronix like you would have to do with a standard points setup. Just go ahead and set your timing like you normally would. Let us know how it works out for you"

What I mean is that with points, I think what I used to do was to turn the engine until the points were open and then set the gap. Then I'd start it and adjust the timing. But with the Petronix, the distributor can be rotated left or right. Where do you start with it or does it matter?

[Leif A.]

Re: Help with Pertronix install

Bob,
Two different things we're talking about here...dwell and timing. There is no dwell setting with the electronic ignition. Did you remove the distributor to install the Pertronix? If so, did you mark where the rotor tip was pointing before you pulled the distributor? If you simply installed the Pertronix without pulling the distributor, then the car should start. Then, you go about adjusting your timing in the normal fashion.