The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Ignition upgrade

Hey guys, What would you consider to be the best method to upgrade the ignition system on my 1960 235? Thanks

I've heard nothing but good about the Pertronix system although I haven't used it personally. Google their website for info.

Welcome to the Stovebolt pages. The more Texans, the better.

Langdon's Stovebolt Engine Co. also sells a complete distributor that allows you to keep the original look. Pertronix is either hated or loved depending on who you talk to but I've never had one so I don't know anything except te originals and the Stovebolt unit which I like.

www.stoveboltengineco.com

I highly recommend Mr. Langdon's mini HEI dizzy. I just bought one a couple of weeks ago and WOW. What a difference. The 235 idles smoother and seems to have a little more mid-range ummph. I wish I had done it years ago. It is an easy swap, and looks original (to the untrained eye).

i have the pertronix in my 54-3100/235 2 yrs no problem. putting one my 60 mga soon. ron

Fab51, I remember reading an old post about something wrong with the dist shafts on those mini hei's from Langdon. They were not identical to the original or something... Did you have any problem with the installation?

There have been a few cases of the mini HEI putting excessive pressure on the oil pump causing lots of ground up metal in the oiling system.Sometime the blocks just arent machined perfectly cause the original distributer has sort of a floating arangement.If you have a block that slightly less than it should be and you snug down that Langdon style HEI, you may have problems.Never intall a modified part without first cafefully checking out any clearance issues.And never believe a guy on the phone who tells you otherwise.
I installed Pertronx units on two of my 261 powered trucks last year.One failed after a month while I was 80 miles from home towing a trailer,not good,Pertronis sent me a replacement under warranty.The other works perfectly ,took several long trips and daily driving with no problems.
Do they out perform points? My trucks had good distributers with properly adjusted points,a slight idle smoothness improvement, but overall I can't notice any difference.

I fitted a pertronix to my '40 a year or so ago ,, perfect performance all the time , I think it was money well spent.

Our local parts chain stopped selling Pertronix because of problems and returns. As was mentioned above, you either love them or hate them. I wanted to do mine and someone stated that if it breaks down in the middle of nowhere you are stuck. Whereas with points you can get it going. I think there are other manufacturers of these modules as well like Crane.

I would rather do the complete dist changout with a HEI model if I could. Does anyone else do a complete HEI dist for the old 235 besides Langdon?

oldblu, I carry a plastic ziploc bag in my glovebox. In it are the points, condensor, screwdriver, a set of feelers, and a piece of paper with the specs. If my Pertronix does let me down, I can be up and running in under fifteen minutes. Just a thought.....

If you have to carry a points set up in case the Pertronix fails...........Do you carry a spare fuel pump?
Crabjw,I used to convert the big cap HEI's from 75 and up 250 engines for use 235's or GMC's.Did a bunch,but don't anymore,if ya want, email me, I can describe the modifications.Very easy,a file and hacksaw will do it.

Where's the possible clearance issue on the Langdon HEI? I bought one and would like to check it out before installation.

[QUOTE] ...........Do you carry a spare fuel pump?

Actually, yes, just not in the glovebox however.

Jerry,the original distributer is held down by a pinch clamp,a flimsy thing.When the engine is running,the cam gear pulls the distributor shaft downward,but it is somewhat free to rise up on it's own,never an excessive downward force.
The Mini still has the locating collar like a small block or later 6 distributer? If so,when you clamp it down,the shaft and gear may be forced down by the bolt.This will grind up the oil pump,not good.Just make sure when installed,the it slips in easy,goes all the way down and the shaft(not the auto advance device)has a touch of play upward.
The machining tolerances can stack up wrong, be sure to check it out.

Mr Langdon's instructions don't address this problem specifically, but he does mention that the shaft should slip in easily and once in place should have a certain amount of up and down free travel. I haven't had any problems yet, but I've only had it a couple of weeks. Sounds like something to keep an eye on.

Some time ago, it was discussed that a bushing would be nice to increase the diameter of the mini hei disty shaft to the 0.49 of the stock disty. I have been in the process of converting a mini hei for an reo engine and found that Small Parts has thin wall tubing that is 0.5 OD and would work for a bushing.

I have a 261, but it is the same distributor as the 235.
Jim carter has some chevy hei distributors that I have in. It is basically a Chevy s10 that has been reworked to fit the 235. Mine fit with no problems. I am very happy with it. If you are looking I think it iw worth a look.

We have been running a Mallory Electonic distributor for several years and never a miss! Available from Patrick's and I believe Summit Racing can get them.