The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Eliminating points

‘46 1/2 ton
Has anybody had any experience with this system from Pertronix that eliminates the points in the distributor:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/PerTronix-1168LSP6-Delco-Ignitor-6-Cylinder-Lobe-Sensor-6-Volt,301406.html

I’m planning on leaving everything at 6 volts.

Have had a good experience with the pertronix system in a 66 mustang I used to have.

Use our Search Function at the top of the page and type in Pertronix. You will have plenty to read.🛠

Thanks for the reminder. In fact I always use the search function on here first as well as a general google search.

I’m not certain if you took the time to look at the link, but I was unable to find any results pertaining to just that.

40 some pages of results just typing in Pertronix. Do not use the search engine in the main header bar use the forum search in the bar right above the forum. If you use the one in the top bar you have to scroll down to where it allows searching Stovebolt only. Good luck.

Don't discard your points and condenser- - - - -keep 'em in the glove box or the tool box. It's not a matter of "if", but "when" you'll need to reinstall them on the side of the road somewhere!
Jerry

I've installed several Pertronix units over the last ten or so years and so far all are still working. At least with Pertronix should it die you can easily reinstall the points and condenser to get back on the road.

An HEI set up would be easier to get parts for if out on the road traveling.

I've had Pertronix ignition in my truck for over ten years without any problem. I think the problem some people have is, they leave the ignition on when the engine isn't running. Then if they have a problem they blame the Pertronix. If you leave the ignition on with points, you will have the same problem, Your truck won't start.

When you follow the instructions,have everything clean and all connections clean and tight with the correct coil you won't have a problem. And make sure you start with a good distributor not a worn out unit that has a wobble in the shaft.

As for Carrying an extra set of points and condenser, that's a good idea, as the points and condenser will leave you on the side of the road somewhere to.

I carry a spare tested distributor in all my trucks, on long trips (new points and condenser).

I have a 12v Pertronix on a 12v conversion in one 1954 235 - for about 20 years. No problems.

You might want to run a ground cable from a clip-screw on the distributor to a coil clamp bolt at the head. The Pertronix units need a good continuous ground.

Nonetheless, I will use a traditional points system on the 6v 1954 truck that I am restoring.

I'm sure some people like you say Tommy have left their key on, but for a lot of us that have been left stranded with pertronix in the past, we have a different story.
My situation was over 20 years ago, maybe 25 years ago when they were new and had problems with the hall electronics dying prematurely. With that said, they quickly sent out a new one no charge. Hope they have fixed their problem, you would hate to condemn a product for something that happened so long ago that has been rectified. That Sunday out on the road next to nowhere is still very real in my mind, especially with the three young kids. Still can believe that I found a new set of points and a condensor at the corner mom/pop grocery store. Those two boxes had so much dust on them and had to be sitting there on the shelf since the sixties. Grocery stores had all kinds of stuff back then, a great family memory was made that day in retrospect that we still talk about, good times. Thank you pertronix for that.

Steve

Thanks everyone!
My plan was to only add what I linked to in my original post and leave everything else stock (ie coil).
From what I gather it is supposed to be beneficial and improve overall performance and starting. I like that it's hidden inside the distributor and not take away from the overall stock look.

You will also need the original Bakelite insulator and screw and nut, special tool for the nut, and the wire to go between the distributor and the coil.
You can ask me how I know...
Carl

52Carl - reading your response gives me the perfect opportunity to ask you what is that "special tool for the nut" called and where can a person buy one?

You could make the distributor point nut tool.

Somewhere I bought that tool - probably an old one on eBay?

KD Tools 2025.

MD17A Snap-On Catalog

Blue Point ?

The Snap-on distributor tool combines the slotted nut spanner on one end with the 11/32" nut driver needed to turn the nuts on the coil and distributor on the other end of a screwdriver handle. That way there's only one essential tool to misplace instead of two! I've also made that spanner wrench from a short piece of 5/16" steel fuel line with the tabs filed into one end and a piece of 3/16" round stock brazed into the other for a T handle.
Jerry

I have never had all that much trouble with points, and truth be told, some guys like to manicure the lawn, landscape, garden, me, I like a cup of coffee and a morning in the garage tinkering so tuning one of the 6 motors up, or performing a little ignition maintence is no trouble for me so a Petronix conversion is not really on my radar.

As for the handy dandy distributor tool, yep, nice thing to have in the tool box. They turn up often enough on eBay that you should be able to find one with a little patience.

Snapon is MD17

K-D Tools is 2025

Mac Tools is SC4

The Pertronix verses points conversation is revived on an almost regular basis and usually culminates in a "Points/Pertronix will leave you stranded on the side of the road" argument. I'm not going to take one side or the other and I don't know which is better or more prone to failure, but in the ten years I've used my truck as a daily driver I've been able to tell when the points are in need of cleaning or changing. If you are 'in tune' with your truck there's no reason your points should ever leave you stranded.

I totally agree with you, twotone

However, let's hear people's experiences with condensers that you need with points (I have had failures off-the-shelf from the 1980s onwards - including pre-Chinese manufacturers).

That is why I travel with a spare/tested distributor with new points (set) and condenser and rotor and cap, and ignition wires and spark plugs and coil. You never know (and, those parts do not take up much space).

Tom Langdon's mini-HEI distributor looks like stock, mounts without modification, is based on a Chevy dist, works like a charm and his round coil option looks like stock. Besides Tom's a gentleman. He'll include spark plugs at $1 each (Champions). You can see here:

http://www.langdonsstovebolt.com/store/#!/Stovebolt-Mini-HEI-for-GM-216-235-261-&-GMC/p/1222040/category=18665949

"Tom Langdon's mini-HEI distributor looks like stock, mounts without modification, is based on a Chevy dist, works like a charm and his round coil option looks like stock."

"I’m planning on leaving everything at 6 volts."

Does Tom Langdon's distributor work OK with a 6v system? That does not seem to be stated at the link that Jon posted?

Sorry Tim,
Tom's distributor is for 12v negative ground only as I recall. I can call him and ask, but for now I'd suppose that's the case.

I did check the website and it does state for 12v only

I thought it (Langdon's) is only 12v.

Are you still interested in staying 6v (first post)?

Yep- staying 6 volt

FWIW....I went to the Daytona Turkey Run. Bought a tee shirt. It says “Six Volt Guy Living In A Twelve Volt World”.

Reminds me of the old black t-shirt with white writing that said "Lucas Electric...the Prince of Darkness" on the front and on the back "The Lucas 3 position switch: dim, flicker, ignite"

And a few years ago I saw a man wearing one that said "Lucas Electric...Electrons Traveling at the Speed of Dark"

"Brits drink lukewarm beer because they have Lucas refrigerators!"
LOL!
Jerry

This conversation is rapidly sliding into the Greasy Spoon arena. Please keep it on topic.

Andy
I left my 49 216 cid 6 volt and installed the Pertronix. It was one of the easiest add on’s I’ve done to date. Mine runs well and I’m using the solid copper wire plug wires they tell you not to use. When I find a set that looks like the stock set. I will replace them.

Don

I think that one of the best engineered ignition systems around is the system that is offered by Deve....

You can put this system together on your own using the part #'s provided & it only cost around $60.

http://www.devestechnet.com/Home/HEIgnition





.

I'm going looking. Thanks again.
Steve

Don - that is one heck of a good looking engine and engine bay! Wow...

What is the rectangular unit mounted to the firewall?

Thanks for your help!

Andy