The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Converting distributor from points to electronic

I went back a year in the Electrical Bay but couldn't find a topic regarding switching from points to electronic.

My husband ordered a kit to do the conversion and save me the cost of a new electronic distributor. He figured I'd be better off not having to adjust points.

Are there any major drawbacks to doing this? Have any of you done this or does everyone just keep their points?

Thanks a bunch. Sabrina
'54 1/2 ton

Hello Sabrina,

Try searching in this forum on these words "HEI" or "Pertronics". You will find a lot of advice; some of it from people who have actually installed and used High-Energy Ignitions and/or Pertronics Ignitors (electronic igitions) in their 6v or 12v trucks.

I have had a 12v Pertronics Ignitor on a 261 for 7 years and a 6v unit on a 235 for about 2 years, both with no problems.

Tim

Tim-
Thanks for the thumbs up on how they work. The one we ordered is Petronics.

I'm going to get to reading
Sabrina

I just swapped my friends '74 chevy 3/4 ton from points to HEI. Huge improvement, plus I dont have to adjust his points anymore

Very easy swap, just changed the distributor and the connector on the hot wire. I've never done the gut's conversion, tho it looks easy enough also. Dont forget to open the plug gap a bit for the hotter spark, and enjoy your truck.

CO563600-
Thanks for the tip about the spark plug gap. I love these trucks but am a long way from doing much more than changing the oil . Embarrasing, especially here at the Stovebolt :o .

I'll watch the first plug & try the rest myself.

I'll be driving the truck for it's safety inspection (for plates) as soon as I get a complete set of wheels & tires together.

The electrical switch to 12 volts is being done by a friend of ours & should be done tomorrow(?) Mañana could be Saturday though. No hurry. I've waited 24 years for this truck & it's worth it

Thanks for your input and advice. Sabrina

If your search for Pertronics doesn't turn up much, try Pertronix. Some folks have had these fail which can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. I run two of them and have never had a problem, but I keep spare modules in the glove box just in case. Some folks carry an extra plate with the points and condensor mounted in case the Pertronix module fails.

Installed the Pertronics Ignitor on my '57 283 with a '74 distributor, in my '55.1. Only problem was the holes in the little shim washers were a 1/2 hair too small. I opened them with a drill bit. Easy installation for a novice. Just need to remember to reconnect the vac advance tube (and the vac tube to the tranny that I did not realize I pulled off). All is well in the Great North, it is running smoother than ever.

Eric- I did finally find pertronix with an "X". Thanks. I'm going to see about spare modules (first I'm going to find out what they are ).

Buddy- I'm going to mention the vac advance tube to my husband & make sure it gets conected. Thank you too.

Thanks for your advice. Should be driving the truck for a muffler & some tires tomorrow!!
Sabrina