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I am most likely going to install the pertronix ignition in my distributor. Every site i go to shows the #1968 pertronix for my 1954 261 truck engine. I called pertronix for more info on it, he stated i need the #1967 for my application. Got me confussed, can anybody tell me which one is right ?

bowtietim,
Now you are confusing all of us. From what I am reading in your post, the Pertronix rep told you the same part (#1968) as every other site that you checked for information.

Other than pointing out our confusion, I am of no help regarding this, sorry.
Kael

sorry for the confussion. Pertronix rep said i needed the #1967, all sites say i need 1968.

Hy bowtietim, I guess my catalogue must be way out of date my listing says 1954-62 235-261 should take P/N 1168 pre 1954 P/N 1167 those are the numbers for kits that are 12V neg. ground if you want 6V neg. ground add N6 to the part number at least thats what my out dated catalogue says, hope this helps,

I had a 55 1st edition 261 that i wanted pertronix ignition for and the catalog is too vague. They assume you want 12 volt. They sent me the wrong one. As i recall the N6 was the difference. If you are 6 volt go that way and you will be very happy. Mine starts like a dream and i see no need to convert to 12 volt.

I put one on a 54 awhile back. the part that goes over the cam didn,t fit. I called & they sent another part that fit. I don,t know what made the difference.

My truck is already 12 volt, i converted it 16 years ago with new wiring harness.They are very confussing,the pertronix rep said the chevrolet listings was for cars. He told me that they classify chevrolet trucks with gmc trucks. I told him chevrolet and gmc are two different trucks. I don't know if the distributors are the same,are they ? Every site shows #1968 for my application, I think i will call again and talk to someone else.

It is the #1967 ignitor for my application. I talked to summit racing and they showed #1967 in there books. I also called pertronix back and asked why they lack detail about the chevrolet trucks. He told me, they don't sell enough pertronix ignitors for my engine, so they are'nt worried about updating there site. The #1967 is for 12 volt neg ground system, and has different pickup magnets than the #1968 for chevrolet cars.

Thanks for the input.

Hy bowtietim, the distributors are the same Chev. and G.M.C. for the 216,228,235,248,261,270,302, hope this helps.

I just bought a Petronix ignitor from my local supplier for my 54 pickup. The part number on the box is 1168, which 3B mentions. I've converted to 12 volt and am using the original coil. Is this the right ignitor or am I gonna burn everything up?

While the distributors will interchange (physically fit), the 216 units used a different set of points. When I went to the pertonix in my 47 had to swap in a later 235 dist (55-62) as the kit would not fit. Now I understand they have a kit for the 'early' 216s. If I can find the info I'll post the Pertonix numbers I used.

3B and Jimerit,Thanks for the info. I was told that car distributors and truck engine distributors are different. Is this true ? I thought they were the same. The people at summit racing was most helpful to me than pertronix. I would be interested in any further information on the pertronix ignitors. It's interesting that there are so many different applications.

Thanks again !!!

Hy bowtietim you can view an online version of the Pertronix catalogue at www.pertronix.com they do have kits for all the distributers I listed unfortunately for you 54 is the change year which resuled in a change in the cap, rotor, breaker point cam, and I think the point mounting. Car and truck distributers are interchangable.

So I installed the Pertronix ignitor, regapped the spark plugs, and fired her up. It ran great! Today I was driving home for lunch and the engine died--at a stoplight--on a very busy street--in the rain and hail--and my truck couldn't be pushed out of the way(all roads out of the intersection went uphill). So I called a friend and within 30 minutes we towed the truck home. Problem was the coil failed. I should have changed the coil when I installed the Pertronix ignitor. I'm installing a Flame Thrower coil tomorrow.

I did purchase the the flame thrower coil for mine. I am wanting to know how much gap is between the pickup and the magnet ? I put mine together, just waiting for the machine shop to be done. I can't wait to put it back together.