The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Pertronix review?

Anyone install one of those pertronix electronic ignition units? I have been thinking about it.

If so, how was install, how long you usin it?

I have put similar ones on old motorcycles for year with excellent results. No more tune ups except for plugs once set - and bikes ran better.

(mostly Dyna units)

I installed one on my 235 about a year and a half ago. Works perfect! I wouldn't go back to points for anything!

I have done the pertronix setup on 3 vehicles, my 52 5 window, 55 Buick, 68 C20 w/327 . . . made a big dif on the 235, but that was probably because I changed cap, rotor and plugs and rebuilt carb at the same time. The rest of the rigs had no real noticeable difference and don't put enough miles on them to really notice decrease in maintenance yet.

What's the part number for the 235??

Easy to install, 16000 miles on my 250, 8000 miles on my daughter's Corvair and no hiccups. Install it and forget it.

Part number for the 235 is #1168. Easy to install. I also added the "flame thrower" coil. Much easier starting, but still rebuilding the rear suspension and brakes, so no driving with it yet.

I fitted a pertronix unit and flamethrower coil to my truck yesterday , easy to follow instructions .
I used the 1168 item as they said there was no item available for the earlier than '54 engine .
Mine is the original '40 .
The Cam in the dist is smaller dia than the later ones , so I had to sweat a little SilFos onto it , and file it off to make the plastic magnetic block a firm fit .

Someone once reported doing the same thing but used 2pac epoxy to do the filling . Dunno about the temp resiliance of epoxy .

The diff in dia was only 0.3mm.
Not much , but enough to make the pertronix bit slop about 5deg , so that had to be fixed.
The rest was dead easy .

Truck starts and runs great .

There is an ll67 model advertised for the 41 to 53 models.

I wanted to install one on my 235 but my local parts chain stopped carrying them because of problems and customer returns. Another old mechanic said he liked them but if they failed in the middle of nowhere you are really stuck. With a set of points you can at least fiddle with them.

If you look at the last page of their catalog, you will also find that they have 6v negative and positive ground ignitions:

http://www.pertronix.com/

1167N6 1941-1953 216/235 6v negative
1168N6 1954-1962 235/261 6v negative

Most likely, the two parts differ in the size of the distributor-shaft cam (no need for filler).

Pertronix also has 1.5 ohm coils that work with the 6v system.

What they do not have is the recommended (by them) zener diode that protects the system from overload/spikes/surges (supposedly the most common cause of failure). If anyone know where the following diodes can be purchased in lots of 1-25 (not a lot of 1,000), please post the company here.

5KP20C
5KP20CA
5KP22C
5KP22CA

As a back-up, in case of failure, carry a set of points/condensor and installation tools.

Tim

Ok, what wattage zener you need?Something robust like a stud mount 25 watt? i assume you need a 14 volt unit?
I have a Pertronix kit here, you mean they don't include overvoltage control in the unit itself? Hmm, sound kinda cheesy for the money.

It is a "Transient Voltage Suppressor" (TVS) and I was was told this is a zener diode (this could be wrong). Yes, it seems odd that Pertronix does not build this into their ignition and does not sell the part (and instructions on how to install it).

The specifications for the four part numbers are at the bottom of this link (they call it a ZENER TVS):

5KP20C
5KP20CA
5KP22C
5KP22CA

http://www.sensitron.com/comm/documents/datasheets/1249.pdf

Tim

Tim, I just opened up the Pertronix 1168 Ignitor, no mention of the TVS in the installation instructions.I'm thinking the TVS is a safety valve for warranty claims from loose wiring,bad alternators and other factors that can spike the unit to death.It's been my experience, many older vehicles have suspect wiring in the first place, then the owner crimps in poorly done connectors, wrong guage wiring, missing grounds, all not the best things for electronics.
I'm gonna put this unit in our 51 truck tomorrow, no diode, and go for it.It's got a 30 month guarantee and I'll keep the points in the glovebox just in case,lol.

Truckedup,

Pertronix technical people told me about the voltage suppression devices over the phone.

I have used a 12v unit on my 261 for 5 years and a 6v unit on my 235 for 1 year (with points in the glove compartments). No problems yet (good wiring but unknown quality 12v alternator and 6v generator/regulator).

Both start first-time, every time (unless the engine is hot).

Tim

there is pages of diode stuff here , http://dse.resultspage.com/search.p...73fc0a87f990757&method=and&srt=0
if one of you retired guys can be bothered looking.
it's all stuff I don't understand.

I just got finished installing the Pertronix on the 261 engine in our 51 truck.Very easy job, I spent more time fetching tools from under the truck than it took to wire up the Pertronix.

Does it run better? It ran excellent before with the points,it idles very smoothly now, maybe a touch better than before.I suppose it all depends on the condition of the points and distributer before hand.

Olblu49,

You could always stick your manual parts (that you take out) in a little box and carry them for backup. If the Pertronix did fail for some reason you can go back to the old points/rotor.

Still an old points holdout,
Buddy in AK

try this

http://www.littlefuse.com/cgi-bin/r.cgi/prod_parts.html?LFSESSION=bYONZz6KJM&PartID=11487

dave s,

Thanks for trying but wrong part number.

They do list the right part numbers but they are not stocked in north america. When I looked at this site a year ago, they had the parts but in lots of 1,000.

One site I found a year ago was selling in lots of 25 (@4.00) but they were not in stock.

Tim

Tim,
That 5KP20C is a 5000 watt TVS and it is similar to a zener diode. It is going to be a tough part to find in stock anywhere because of the values. A good substitute might be a 1.5KE22CA which is the same thing but with a 1500 watt dissipation rating and is much more common. It would take a really big spike to take that part out but you could add a few in parallel to increase the power rating. You can find this part easily in stock at Mouser Electronics or many places. Here is one link 1.5KE22CA link

-Ed

Glad to see so many positive experience with the Pertronix unit. Like Truckedup I will be installing a set in a 1958 rebuilt 261.... but would sure like the insurance of the "zener" whatever in my circuit.....

The reason for going to Pertronix is I can hardly reach the distributor once the quasi cabover is installed... so carrying spare points in the glove box... which the truck does not have... is not a practical solution.

would it be possible for one of you "expurts" to sketch a wiring diagram or vrbally describe where that "zener" should be installed.... the amin "hot" lead....????

Thanks for your help... would hate to burn the sucker on my first try..

Bob Carriere

I have well over 40,000 miles on onr Pertronix unit , it's important to measure the primary resitance of rhte coil and match it to the application , they have the valvues n the instruction sheet .

Didn't add any noticable power but made a HUGE improvement in starting especially after a hot soak and the idle is smmother too .