The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop OK Guys, I am confused again

I know, you all say, Whats new? I am installing a Pertronix ignition in place of points and condenser. Many have stated and the instructions state, Save the points, and condenser in case of emergency. My question is, Just how do I remove that black Bakelite block thru which my old point system was fed its voltage? I don't was to break it "just in case",this is on a 1958 Chevy 235 engine. An older distributor has a headless bolt thru the black bake-lite thingie and removes with the nuts turned off, This one only has a nut on outside with a round head and a "Keeper Of sorts on the inside behind which the point set found its input voltage.With the outside nut removed, nothing wants to move. Thanks again in advance
Jerry

Jerry,

Here are the tools that will remove the post and Bakelite insulator.

Now I wonder why the instructions would say to keep your old points?

I keep my old points in a spare distributor that I carry for "insurance" in any of my trucks (Pertronix-equipped or not) that travel more than 125 miles from home (that is the distance that Hagerty will trailer-tow any of my family's vehicles).

I think the general idea is" Save so you never need them", If you don't, when you need them you wont have them. Anyway, I hope that is the principle. Thanks for the removal instructions, I will give it a try in the morning.
Jerry

I installed pertronix in my truck, and my mustang, the mustang lasted about 15 minutes, the truck about 6 months. I had the points and all the little wrenches in a bag in my glove box for about 5 months and 29 days. Along with a couple of other items which I had taken the bag out to get, and forgot to put back in the glove box. So I finally got my wife and little kid to go for a ride, and it just up and quits. In 30 years this truck has never failed to get me home, until I UPGRADED my ignition. Had to ride the bus home, get the little bag I forgot to put back in the glovebox, and stand out in the extremely wind driven rain putting the points back in. You can have your pertronix. I asked on this very forum whether other people have a similar experience. I received 10 replies, 4 of which were of the negative variety, that along with my 2 poor experiences, makes 6 of 12, or 50%, negative experiences. Which to me isn't a very good record. I could mess with points for the rest of my life and still not equal the misery of that one single day. And to top it off it didn't run any better, maybe even a little worse. So whatever the case, keep your replacement parts handy, you stand a very good chance of needing them.

Never have had any trouble with a Pertronix unit that I've put on.

Installed one on a Mustange several years ago and it is still going strong. Another on a Pacer and it is still running fine. (Or as fine as a Pacer can run.)

Not sure why some have problems, and other will run from now on. Guess I've been lucky.

I wonder if the ones with problems are running the wrong ohms coil for the Pertronix.

Thanks guys, I got it out today intact. I am sorry brokenhead, I asked about removing a "passthru" studbolt from my distributor, not all the reasons in the world why I should not install Pertronics in my vehicle. I am very sorry you and half your buddies had problems with theirs BUT I am kind of hard headed and because I already own it, No return on electronic parts, I need to install it and make up my own mind. And if I have a bad experience, I have the spare old fashioned parts in the glove box, ready to bail my sorry a$$ out. Again thanks guys.
Jerry

no Dave I bought their coil(s). I realize you were asking about the bolt, but I was just giving you a heads up. They sent me a replacement unit, which was an entirely different design. The original had a magnetic ring, while the replacement picks up the high spots on the cam. It has been sitting in the box for 2 years, I am afraid to try it, the truck runs so good I don't want to "FIX" it again.