Technical Electronic Ignition conversion in 53' Caddy

Hi all. I am looking to put an electronic ignition in my 53 Cadillac with the stock 331. Having some questions about which one I need to go with.. Anything GM that covers those years should work, correct? It's the 12V system. Thanks in advance!

 

Also think I'm going to go with the Accel setup

 

Pertronix

 

Nothing is wrong with the stock one...why screw it up? don't need any damn electronics

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^What he said!

 

Pertronix, and get the coil from them also.

 

Points all the way with that one..............
Be very carefull what coil you use with the pertronixs ....Make sure its no low ohms ( less than 1.5)...

 

I went with the Pertronix set up and it runs great. I just wanted to eliminate the need for replacing points and it's running the balls so I'm happy with it overall. Thanks for the input guys

 

There is no need to replace points if you know how to install them. You need only the right condenser & points, & a dab of cam lube every few thousand miles.
Happy your new Chinese made parts work.
I'd find a spare '53 Cad distributor, correctly install Delco points made around 1959 (bakelite rubbing block), bag it up & keep it in the trunk if you leave town ...

 

To each his own pal. I'll give it a shot. If it doesn't work out then I'll go back but any way you cut it it's less maintenance and as long as you know how to wire things and have good connections it should be fine. With that said if it craps out I know it's a bad product. Points where replaced with electronic for a reason. [emoji6]

 

I'm running the perTronix unit in my coupe ( sbc ) , my 65 V8 Corvair and a 64 Caddy. They work fine. Points are great but the PerTronix unit eliminates some routine maintenance

 

Points are great and they worked great for me but just wanted to give this a shot. Glad it's working well for your ride(s)!

 

Question, did you eliminate the ballast resistor when you switched to the electronic ignition? I'm running the ignitor II system

 

Look here for an easy conversion using a Ford TFI module.
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/points-to-electronic-ignition-cheap-easy.417099/

You can get the parts in the you pull yard. Just disconnect your condenser and install, If unit goes bad just disconnect it and hook up the condenser and drive home. Kind of like having dual ignition.
When hooked up the points only have 12 volts going thru them. They don't burn up as they are using such low voltage

 

That's an interesting set up! Have you tried it?

 

Really, "no need to replace points if you know how to install them" - Well, except for the fact that they wear out, both the rubbing blocks and the contact surfaces.
As for your comment "Your new Chinese parts" - You obviously haven't a clue about PerTronix parts. They are made in San Dimas CA, which last time I looked is not part of China, but the Good Ol USA, and they have been for the over 3.5 Million of them that have been made so far.

Oh, and where exactly does one go shopping for Delco points that were made in 1959? Just curious

 

If you bought our Ignitor II and the correct coil, you should eliminate the ballast resistor, you will get more spark energy. It will run with the ballast in place, but start and run better without it - the system is designed for a full 12V

 

I did remove the resistor and it is running nicely. Fires up quick and sounds a little healthier too. Thanks Don

 

Some people are just closed minded and think their way is the only way... The WHOLE WORLD went to electronic over points. Just cause that's how they where in the "good ole days" doesn't mean that somethjng better isn't available 65 years later. Yeah I'll take my chances haha

 

"Most" brands of cars stopped using points in 1974 or so. (And now some wag is going to say but my Shit Box had them in 1981 or some crap) Seems like 40 years have passed and none of the manufacturers have gone back to them. Hmmmmm

 

Amen ^^^^