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| | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 | What would you do to tune up a 55 chevy six cylinder ? I changed spark plugs and have a pertronic flame thrower and electronic ignition. 12 volt. It runs real rough until warmed up then evens out some, but still doesn't run super smooth. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Mike,
What coil are you using (you may or may not need a ballast resistor, depending on its resistance)?
Are you using a ballast resistor?
Things to check or replace, in order of difficulty and cost:
Timing adjustment
Valve lash adjustment
Carburetor adjustment
Check/replace fuel filter
Ignition/plug wires (if you do not need them, you now have spares)
Rotor (if you do not need it, you now have a spare)
Distributor cap (if you do not need it, you now have a spare)
Run a ground wire from a screw on the distributor to head
Rebuild/replace carburetor | | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 | Thanks for the info. A good list to start with. Someone else told me I may need to adjust valves. Could be any or all of the list. Thank you! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 | What does a ballast resistor do and how would the engine act without one?I have no idea whether I have one or not- a real rookie here?sorry | | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 83 | I looked it up and yes I have a ballast resistor so not that unless it is old. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | For some reason, when GM went to 12v, a resistor (called a ballast resistor) that reduced the voltage to about 9v (I think) was required in-line on the power lead into the coil. Some coils came with the resistor built in. Some (maybe all) of the Petronix Flamethrower coils have high resistance and no ballast resistor is needed. If regular 12v points were used without the resistance, the points would burn out in a very short time. http://www.google.com/search?q=ball...ved=0CDUQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=644 | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | it may be that the ignition resistor is [part of] the problem if the petronix coil is also resisted, too little juice to fire properly
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 71 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 71 | Hey Tim,
I don't meant to hijack the thread, but why do you suggest to run a wire from the dizzy to the head? And is there a particular screw on the dizzy, or are you just trying to ground it?
Thanks, Vince | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Vince,
Just trying to assure a good ground. The Pertronix unit needs a good ground, and I guess it is possible that grease/oil might make for a sketchy ground. I think a clip screw on the distributor to a coil-mount bolt might work OK.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 32 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 32 | Definitely adjust the valves, I had the same problem on my 55 w/235 and the no. 4 intake rocker was off the valve, since correcting and adjusting valves runs like a different engine. Also I e-mailed Pertronix and they told me to remove my ballast resistor since I have the Flamethrower coil.
Larry
Last edited by deere36; 07/24/2012 1:39 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | the instructions for pertronix is very specific in their installation requirements. Follow them to the letter, or in the one fellas case contact pertronix directly, they know for certain about their products. Rather than guessing or relying on someone elses opinion. Personally I would take the pertronix out, as I have had horrible experience with it, playing with points for the rest of my life will never equal the misery encountered with it. | | |
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