The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Converting to elect dist on 6 volt 38

Just bought this truck. Can't seem to easily find elect dist or conversion for it. Any ideas or can you point me to a discussion on this topic.

Would it be easier if I convert to neg 12 volt system?

1938 6v 216 with original distributor?

Tim. Yes. Original 216 motor with 6 volt pos ground system. Want to make it a daily driver and thus lose the points and rotar.

"make it a daily driver and thus lose the points and rotor"
those 2 things are not connected, you want to 'lose the points and rotor' because you think it's an 'upgrade' > it's not, points ignitions are totally dependable for daily use, it's the "electric distributor" that you'd need to carry a spare for

Bill

Bill, this is interesting, as I have been trying to decide the same change for my stock 216, but there seems to be some controversy on the subject. What are some of the pros and cons and why do you suppose guys go to this extra expense? Sorry I did't mean to hijack the post. Steve

I think it would be 6v negative ground.

I agree with Bill - there is no performance/reliability benefit in have an electronic ignition on that engine. Pertronix does not show a unit for your year engine. Maybe someone knows why not?

I have had a Pertronix unit on one 235 engine and one 261 engine (one 6v and one 12v). I notice no difference in performance/starting.

When I travel long distances, I carry a spare distributor that has been adjusted and tested (it has new points, rotor, condenser, and cap). I have had a condenser go bad but never a Pertronix unit go bad (other members have reported having problems with Pertronix units).

I've kept the original points in my '38 because they are available everywhere and rock solid with once or twice a year maintenance. I've read numerous posts in different forums from folks who 'upgraded' to electronic only to be left dead on the side of the road. If you buy a quality electronic unit you may not ever have an issue BUT the upside to having the stability of the original points is a strong argument in their favor.

folks go electronic because they think 'modern' must be better, same reason the latest iPhones model sells to folks that already have the previous model

Bill

There are two kinds of Pertronix conversions- - - -the ones that have failed, and the ones that are going to. Then you're stranded in Lower Slobbovia with a broken-down vehicle and an ignition system with proprietary parts that have to be ordered from several states away. That's why people carry a drop-in distributor with points- - - -sort of like a spare tire. Keep the engine tuned properly on your daily driver and your 6V point-type ignition will work great. If you're racing, that's a different kettle of fish!
Jerry

LOL at the nay sayers ..........

Motor vehicles are just a mechanical device designed to keep us poor and off the road .

Having said that . My pertronix has been in the truck for 15 yrs with NO issues.

The truck does start easier , the dist has required NO periodic maintenance. I do have a small improvement in mpg. 80K successful miles .

Nope , I don't feel the need to carry a spare dist etc. The truck constantly proves its self to be very reliable.

Each to their own , eh.

Only issue which I had with the Pertronix was when my Chinese ignition switch left my ignition on all night (key was not in the truck). It fried the Pertronix module and melted the top (which is on the bottom) of the coil.
I changed back to points and noticed no loss in performance.
If Pertronix could address the key-left-on problem, I would consider trying it again, just to eliminate one more thing to maintain.
Carl

If points are closed and the key is left on you'll bake the points.

I would stick with the points in the distributor on it. Carry an extra set in the glove box for just in case you need them. But the points will last a long time with just a little care.

I've used Pertronix with good results. But there are those that have had very good luck with it.

Wow. Thanks for all the feed back! Given I can find an electrical unit I'll stick with old school and see how that goes.

The simplest, most reliable conversion is the GM HEI system from a 230/250/292 engine, but it requires converting to 12 volts. The modification of the distributor housing has been covered repeatedly here, and I believe there's a tech tip on it. I don't think anyone has figured out how to do a simple electronic ignition conversion on a 6 volt system without going to an expensive, unreliable aftermarket setup with proprietary parts.
Jerry

The biggest advantage to electronic ign is it doesn't change the tuning as you drive. Once you get the initial timing & advance mechs. the way you want them they will stay. I have used Petronics on the 6 cyl. models & HEI on v-8s unless there is a clearance problem. I have never had a failure but I would carry a spare if I was going a long way from home.

Bingo! We have a Bingo! Somebody send him a turkey!
Carl

I use a GM HEI distributor in everything. The things will go so long with no care that the advance weights will wear through the pivot pins and you can buy parts from any parts store. The plugs are gapped 0.045 on modern high compression engines but I gap mine at 0.060 on my old 6.5-1 compression engines and get a super big hot spark. Flooding, percolation, and hot start problems disappear. For my 37 Buick I used an Oldsmobile case turned down 0.060 and a Chevy shaft that was shortened and the oil pump drive tang milled on at the correct distance. I then run it on the Sun Distributor machine and use the weights and springs it takes to mimic the advance curve of the old straight 8 distributor. As you can see by the dirt and mis-matched wires it's been going for a long time. I might look under the cap in 5 years or so.

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/coilover/media/Dar%20Dog%20HEI%20003_1.jpg.html

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/coilover/media/Dar%20Dog%20HEI%20002.jpg.html