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| | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | any one have good luck with pertronix? I put one in my mustang it died within 10 minutes. Put one in my truck it ran great, so today I finally got my wife to go with me and the ignition took a dump had to take a bus home and get my original set up. (not really sure why it wasn't in the glove box.) Along the same lines, my tiny tach now reads 1600, all the time...I still don't know what RPM I am running on the freeway. I know they can make electronic devices that work, and work well. but apparently it is too much trouble to charge some one $150 for something and actually expect it to work...Whatever the case, it will probably take 3 more years to get my wife near that truck again.
Last edited by brokenhead; 11/13/2011 10:44 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
What year and voltage/ground truck?
Sounds like you have some electrical problems.
Is your wiring in good shape?
Do you have clean grounds in original locations?
I have had one 12v Pertronix unit working fine in a 1954 Chevy pickup since 1997.
I have one 6v Pertronix unit working fine in a 1954 Chevrolet Suburban since about 2004.
Try a search on the site on "Pertronix".
I carry a complete, tested, spare distributor with a points-system in it. This is good insurance (that I have not yet had to use).
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 71 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 71 | Yes....I also have had good luck with my installation on my 235 !!
Last edited by helilog56; 11/14/2011 12:01 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 | I have had it for 2 years and have yet to have a issue. Its my Daily Driver and works every day. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | I have installed several and no problems yet.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 | If you want electronic ignition, install a GM HEI system and forget about it. Pertronix is a crapshoot- - - -some work and other's don't.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | Well for now I'm sticking with the points, they have worked on this truck for the 27 years I have had it. I've never been stranded until now. I mean the pertronix worked great for about a year (?) but that makes two that have quit on me. I am getting a little gunshy, I'm trying to get another engine built, but I am spending all my time trying to keep the old one running. And when the "improvements" set me back it kind of p###### me off, at least you can set the points with a matchbook cover. I'm just glad it wasn't raining. I certainly hope I can find the receipt... | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 | I've seen an article recently that details how to use a 6-cylinder Mopar distributor trigger and a GM HEI module to convert the Stovebolt distributor to a stock-appearing electronic ignition system. It uses all over-the-counter parts available at the FLAPS and seems to be very reliable. I'm going to have to look into that one a little more closely.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,644 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,644 | Thats why I keep the original points in mine,I keep a spare set in the truck and I never had to use them yet.KISS principle.
Pete | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 | What year and voltage/ground truck?
Sounds like you have some electrical problems.
Is your wiring in good shape?
Do you have clean grounds in original locations?
I have had one 12v Pertronix unit working fine in a 1954 Chevy pickup since 1997.
I have one 6v Pertronix unit working fine in a 1954 Chevrolet Suburban since about 2004.
I like that idea. I have learned to distrust electronics. One morning I went out to start my 2002 Dakota and it cranked but wouldn't start. Turns out it was the "crank angle sensor" that evidently tells the computer to send the juice to spark plugs in place of having points. (excuse my ignorance). Well in the old days if my points burned out or needed adjusting I could do it with a pocket knife and a matchbook. If this sensor faied when I was on top of a BC mountain trout fishing I would have a long walk home. I know it must give one a lot better gas mileage and power, and saves the ozone layer, but I like the idea of points. I also like old movies and TV shows. : ) The idea of having the distributor back up is great.
Try a search on the site on "Pertronix".
I carry a complete, tested, spare distributor with a points-system in it. This is good insurance (that I have not yet had to use).
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin
When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 253 | I'll also weigh in on the side of keeping the points. I have had one truck (daily driver) for 18 years that has never let me down using the stock points. I can't say the same for trucks I've had with black box technology.
I also carry a spare set w/ condenser in the glove box and have never needed them. Adjust and or replace your points according to your scheduled maintenance and you'll have a trouble free truck.
1945 Chevrolet G 506 1.5 Ton Military 4X4
1967 Jeep Cj5 with 283 SBC
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 117 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 117 | I've seen an article recently that details how to use a 6-cylinder Mopar distributor trigger and a GM HEI module to convert the Stovebolt distributor to a stock-appearing electronic ignition system. It uses all over-the-counter parts available at the FLAPS and seems to be very reliable. I'm going to have to look into that one a little more closely.
Jerry Now that might be interesting to me, do you have an article reference Jerry? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,096 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,096 | I have pertronix in the '40 for seven years now , all good and pertronix in the Bedford for 4 yrs also , all good. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | well I've had two of them quit on me. One in the mustang, and this one. I even bought their special coil. You might get 3 strikes in baseball, but 2 is all I'm giving. I know electronic ignitions work well, I was trying to keep the stock distributor, but not if it means walking... | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 | Ringleader,
I saw the article about the conversion with the chrysler pick up and gm module on the hamb site. The guy that does it is in indianapolis, I spoke with him briefly and seems like a neat item. I just never followed through. I have petronics and have had no problems with it.
Tommy
59 apache 1/2t
261 short stepside
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 | I had one in my 54-3100 for 7 years no problems but i put one on my 1960 MGA and it did not last the first start, it blew apart at the back.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 | I believe it was on the HAMB site, but I quit going there a long time ago- - - -can't stand the obnoxious donkeyholes who hang out there.
It doesn't appear to be hard to do, but it does involve a little machining on the distributor cam to make the magnetic trigger fit. I'm going to set the cam up in my lathe and use a tool post grinder to get a snug fit, and maybe use epoxy or red LocTite to hold it in place. The trigger coil is mounted to the breaker plate with one or two screws and adjusts like a set of points to about a .020" gap, and the signal goes to the same terminals that are used for the pickup coil on a GM HEI distributor. It's necessary to build a sheet aluminum bracket to act as a heat sink for the module, but it can be put anywhere in the engine compartment there's airflow to keep it cool. I believe it uses the same E-coil as the remotely-mounted coils used on the 6-cylinder Chevy HEI system.
The good part about that one is the fact that repair parts are all available at a pretty good FLAPS like NAPA.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | I installed Pertronix in my 53 about a year ago with high expectations. I took it out two weeks ago and am delighted to have a truck that starts well again. I am one who tends to blame the installation instead of the product, but this pertronix unit completely gave up in the end.
Last edited by Organbuilder; 11/14/2011 5:44 PM. Reason: spelling
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | I sold the Pertronix units for about 12 years while working for an auto parts store. I only remember one unit ever coming back. All the ones I have installed are still going and have not had any problems. Guess I got very lucky.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | well after about 2 hours of searching, I finally figured out where I got it from and am getting an email copy of my invoice to return the module. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 106 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 106 | I installed a Pertronix in my 1954 pick up with 235 and 12 volts about 6 years ago and have not had any problems. The instructions that come with the Pertronix say the unit may be damaged if the ignition switch is left in the on position without the engine running. The tech support at Pertronix says the original model Pertronix (with black ignitor)is the one that may be damaged with the ignition left in the on position. The Pertronix model II and model III will cut off to protect the unit if the ignition is left on. The model II has a red ignitor. The model III has a black "flat" ignitor that looks different than the other models. Tech support says a tach should work with Pertronix and to check that the connections are clean and tight. Tech says if the tach works but rpm"s seem to be off then a diode or resistor should be installed in series between the coil and tach. The reason I installed a Pertonix is just to avoid the extra maintenance of installing points and timing. I have not noticed any improved performance from the Pertronix and Flame Thrower hot coil combination.
Last edited by truckcamper43; 11/14/2011 7:44 PM.
Stovebolts are good for the heart
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | I turn the ignition off otherwise it just keeps running. The tiny tach just use a wire wrapped around the coil wire, it has nothing to do with the ignition. Whatever the case as soon as my invoice shows up I'm sending it in for replacement the tiny tach is just going back... | | |
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