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I know I'm back tracking a little, but did you have your resistor still connected when you were using the Petronix? The Petronix needs 12 volts to work.
Good luck
Your getting good advice.
Steve

I did have the resistor connected when I used the Pertronix. According to their instructions for use, it says to use the resistor (I think I remember that)...is that not the case?

On the other note, I tracked the issue down to the bolt that goes through distributur that connects the (-) coil wire to points and condenser. I bet when I took it out (it's not needed when you use Pertronix (the Pertronix wires go through that vacated hole on side of distributor), a washer got loose, one that must have been rubber or nylon. Because when I put that bolt on (and tighten it to the distributor with metal lock washer and nut, I THEN get no voltage to it. That's when it apparently gets grounded and no spark gets to the points.

My question: When you're tightening the bolt down on the inside of distributor, is there a nylon or rubber washer that prevents the bolt from touching the distributor housing? Hope that question makes sense.

And, Steve, are you sure the Pertronix doesn't need resistor?

I looked back at installation instructions for Pertronix, and it says that you can use a ballast resistor. However, after talking to tech support they said that if you use Flamethrower coil, you DO need to bypass ballast resistor (they don't make that clear because, as he said, they don't know if you're using Flamethrower coil or not). So I'm going to put back in the Pertronix...he assured me that that was the problem. I'll let you know if it is.

But on the other note, is there a non-metal washer that allows you to tighten down the contact bolt that goes through side of distributor so as not to allow nut to touch inside of disstributor housing and ground the system? Thanks

Heres a pic of a distributor I purchased from NAPA for my 235.

You can zoom in and see the non metalic bushing that runs through the housing.
...pic... click...

I'm running the Pertronix on that above distributor. 3.0 ohm flamethrow coil. I called the help line and they told me it was internally regulated coil. I did not run an extrinal regulator.


Good luck

Perfect; thanks! And it looks like I'll have to get one of those bushings because...I just put the Pertronix back in, bypassed the resistor, got excited about starting it up...nope! Just a super loud backfire.

Sounds like what happened to me.

First problem I had when I dropped the distributor in I was off a tooth. When the oil tang lined up it pushed the rotor off #1 a little. It would backfire.

Had to use a long common screwdriver to move the oil pump, and then finally got it to drop in with rotor at #1. Pointer on ball, #1 TDC.

A second problem I had was the drive gear was loose on the distributor. Playing havoc with the timing. That’s why I purchased the replacement distributor.

I only offer my experience as something to look at. You must be frustrated.

Good Luck

Hy starsfan, you must retime your engine when you install the Pertronix unit, the magnets do not mimic the cam high points, hope that helps.

OK, boys, here's the latest...I got the truck started with the Pertronix in it, but it didn't exactly kick over like a charm. Ran pretty rough...I found TDC with the thumb over the #1 spark plug hole, then lined up the #1 spark plug wire with the rotor on the distributor. And, of course, I've bypassed the ballast resistor.

I haven't timed it yet with the light, but if doesn't run well once that's done, I'm going back to the traditional points.

Thanks for everybody's help, comments, thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, cards, letters...OK, maybe the last few didn't take place. But, seriously, thanks for all of your help.

Oh, and my novel, Citizen [censored], has my truck (at least the front left tire, 1/4 panel, and fender) on the cover. It's on Amazon.com, B&N.com, ..not sure how many bookstores it's still in.

And the winner is....the spark plug wires; literally the last thing I replaced! I got new ones, popped them on, and voila...major power. I even think I'll keep the Pertronix. My truck does seem to have much more increased power over the traditional points now that everything has been upgraded. Thanks for all your help!

Hy starsfan, thank you very much for your update, so the Pertronix wasn't actually the problem after all, that's good to read/hear.

yeah, I was pretty surprised with the performance of it once I got the new wires installed...I probably owe the Pertronix folks an apology...all along it was a wire (possibly two...maybe more) that was the culprit. I've learned my lesson. Thanks again for all of the assistance, folks!