The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1954 235 Ignition Set Up - AGAIN

Greetings.
Well I am very close to being able to have my first start up of my 54' 235 engine and getting down to some of the final checklist items. I have done quite a bit of searching the old postings on HEI and Pertronix systems and have in my mind a direction I would like to go. Just wanted to follow up with other "Stovebolters" to see if anyone has this set up and how it worked for them before I make the purchase.
Have a 54 235 (12volt generator) with Corvette tri-carb set up. Planning on going with the Pertronix Ignitore II module, a Pertronix Flame Thrower II coil that has 45,000 vlts / 0.6 Ohm. Starting out with AC R45S or R46S spark plugs at .45 gap to get me out of the gate. Need to advance the timing just a little bit to get it going as well
As suggested in an earlier post will plan on running an extra wire from a clip on the dirstributor to the block for a better ground of the distributor.
Also will need a set of well shielded spark plug wires to go with this set up of anyone has a recommendation it would be appreciated. Hope I have not forgotten anything here.
Looking forward to that time when this thing takes it first breath!!! can't wait!
John

I just used a spark plug wire set from carquest.

start out with a new cap and rotor also.

good luck

Thanks DADS50 for the recommendation on the spark plug wires and will give CarQuest a try.
Best,
John

personally I would use the points at least for initial start up. Many people have had good luck with pertronix, I as well as several others not such good luck. I have had 2 of them fail on me. They said one of them worked on their machine, but in my truck I had to ride the bus. If you do go with pertronix, make certain you keep the points and all the little wrenches and stuff to re-install them in your glove box (refer to the bus mentioned above) OH, and as far as I can tell the pertronix made little or no difference in how it runs, it may even run better with points, all I know is I can fiddle with points until I die, and not go through as much grief as I did with my UPGRADED ignition on that one rainy, windy day along side the road. (this is also the only time the truck has failed to get me home in 29 years.) So I am not a big fan of pertronix. Although they did send me another unit to replace the one that quit, and it seems curious that what they sent me is completely different than the one I returned. Just curious as to why they felt it necessary to change their design? I am just afraid to put it in when it runs so good...

Thanks Brokenhead for the advice on the Pertronix system - I do recall your sharing your experience in a previous posting which is why I invested in an extra set of point and dist "innards" if needed.
I have installed the points in the distributor to start the car indeed to eliminate any issues at initial start up since I am familiar with that. The gentleman who rebuilt my carb did not offer his recommendation on the Pertronix or HEI systems but did recommend the higher output coil which I have purchased with hopes it will not affect how the old points operate. I was aware I may need to open up the spark plug gaps a little more but the point opening should stay with factory specs do you think?
Appreciate the confidence building advice here!!!!
John