The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Convert 235 To Electronic Ignition

Hi all,
I am looking to convert my points distributor system to electronic ignition.
What product/brand is best?

Thanks

Jon

you can buy an HEI setup on Ebay with new wires for about 175$. My dad bought one for his 235 he has in his 40 chev car.

Ok thank you!

I still want to keep the "stock look."

petronics or check out Deve's sight.

Some have had some bad results using Pertronix electronic ignition, but I have not. I've installed the Pertronix unit on several older vehicles and not had any issues.

You can carry a spare set of points and condenser in the glove box just in case at some point it does give trouble. At least you could get home.

But so far i haven't had any issues with the Pertronix units.
They fit right inside your distributor keeping the original look.

I had a mallory on my 235, worked well, sort of expensive though

+1 for Pertronix.

...pertronix...close to stock look...

Deve has a good set up also
Not sure what's involved with his modification

I use standard points or Pertronix on my 6v engines.

No problems with the Pertronix, but run a ground wire from a distributor-cap clip/clamp screw to the head.

I'm running Mallory, too. Works great. Definitely spendy, though.

Eliminating the points and condenser with one of the electronic trigger devices on the market is a good thing- - - -going to an ultra high voltage coil with a stock-appearing distributor and plug wires is steroids. There's a good reason the HEI system was designed with a large-diameter distributor cap and 8MM wires.
Jerry

Yeah. It was because they didn't know any better at the time! These small body distributors work perfectly fine and almost 50 units later, I have had nothing but high praise from every single person who tried it. There are several other guys making them now for Fords and Mopars and it just proves the cross fire concern they had is officially laid to rest. Lots of reading and not all from me on my website about it. The person who helped me design one specifically for our vintage was doing this in the 60's and runs his own Speed Shop devoted to the craft.

Check out the website and make your own choice. Pertronix is cheaper, but lacks some of the intelligence for determining proper dwell and timing based on RPM.

Please keep it civil and on topic. Thanks.

I built my own system using a mix of stock parts and it's similar to what Deve describes on his site. I probably spent $20 total because I already had some stock parts from other projects.

I ground down the breaker cam in a stock Delco 235 distributor and used red Locktite to attach a reluctor from a Chrysler slant six after indexing it. I also modified the stock breaker plate to mount the Chrysler pickup. I can't remember exactly what it took but it wasn't that involved. Just drilling and tapping some holes, if I remember correctly. For the ignition unit, I used a Ford Duraspark II box because that that's what I had laying around. A HEI module could be used instead, though the Duraspark II has the advantage of retarding the timing during startup. I think I used an e-core coil from a 90's Ford Taurus, too.

With the plugs opened up to .044 it starts so much easier and idles noticeably better, too. You hardly have to use any choke at all when starting unless it's really cold. I don't even need to pump the pedal.

What Electronic Ignition options are available for someone running on a 6V system? My 235 engine is from 1955. I have 5000+ miles on the 2009 engine rebuild, and it is still running like a watch. The Electronic Ignition option sure is enticing, but I do want to maintain the 6V. Advice?

Pertronix is your best bet with 6 volt system.

Pertronix has a 6V unit.

Spoke to a guy in Pertronix Tech. Support this afternoon. Spec'd out the following:

1) Ignitor Kit--part #1168LS-N6...$126.89
2) Spark Plug Wires--part #706101...$45.59
3) ?Coil--part #40011...$36.60? (need to check current coil to see if it measures 1.5 ohms or more)

I wonder about the pricing; can better pricing be received by not dealing directly with Pertronix? If so, any recommendations?

Thanks.

LUKE

LUKE,

search the Internet

"Pertronix 1168LS-N6"

some prices are around $90-$100 with no tax and sometimes free shipping