Hot Rods Sitting at the stop light today and the wagon died!

I got up this morning and need to take my chain saw to my repair guy in Starr,South Carolina so I loaded it in the Ranch Wagon and took off.

I got to the shop and dropped off the saw and headed back home,about a mile down the road the car sputtered once going through the gears but it picked up and ran fine for another 15 miles and as I rolled up to the intersection and the engine died.

I tried to crank the car several times but nothing,I opened the hood with all the idiots blowing their horns and did a quick inspection,there was gas in the clear filter so I wasn't out of gas so I kinda knew it was ignition related.

A guy with spectrum TV pulled up behind me and put out his work cones and got the people in the other two lanes to let us push it across the intersection from the left turn lane across the other two lanes down the hill and into a Walgreens drugs parking lot,my tow guy showed up and took me to my pal Earls garage.

After he was able to finish up the car in his shop we pushed the wagon in,he determined pretty quick it was ignition related and the coil was good but my pentronix distributor was toast,it has a module but no way to replace it.

I told Earl I have heard other people having problems and I have been lucky but I have decided I am going back to a points distributor. HRP

 

You can always get home if you have points. Not so with electronic ignition...

Sent from my SM-T377P using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I was just on a trip in the Corvair, it started running rough in northern CA. Stopped for lunch, then decided to get to work...drove to a parts store parking lot, and swapped the points and condenser. I had my screw driver and a real feeler gauge with me, along with the new parts (so we didn't even go in the store). Ran fine the rest of the trip.

I kinda like points.

 

Of course your car stopped, after all, you were at a STOP light, weren't you?

 

The pertronix dist doesnt have provisions to install points on it, so I have to carry a stock dist in the truck. It's better to use the pertronix module in a stock dist.

 

I have an electronic distributor on my daily driver (1968 Holden) which has a removable module mounted on the side. I carry a spare module and can change it out in about 4 minutes. So the Pertronix has to come out to have the module replaced? I was thinking of getting one for my 235, but may just to stick to points.

 

I always carry a spare module and coil. You never know when one is needed.

 

CPR=Points

 

It could have happened with a modern car with no distributor. Parts work until they fail. Lesson # 1 if you run aftermarket ignition carry spare parts.
Every vehicle I have owned with a pertronix . I always carried a spare module or a stock distributor with a new set of points and the tools to change it.
Even with a big cap HEI , I still carry a spare module and rotor.

 

I always like looking at photo's of your wagon. Very nice car.

 

I have an eBay special HEI in my car, I should pick up a spare module for it.

 

Danny : Here's my theory...That dang E-clips that went across Anderson musta fried that module with some sorta gamma-rays...
Just sayin....

 

Never had an electronic system on my rods.....don't plan to either!

 

Danny, I'm glad it all worked out. I can't understand why people blow their horn when they see a car, with the hood up at an Intersection. They should put on their flashers, and then help get the car to a safe place. But the same thing happen to me, about a year ago in my 34 dodge delivery. The only difference was ,I was out in the boonies. I'm glad I had a cell phone. I too thought that an Mallory electronic ignition would be the best, and { most dependable way to go}. I put on a new cap, and I still don't know why the cap burnt .??? If it happens again, it will be history. I'm glad that the spectrum guy stepped up, an did { what any person should have done.} Love your wagon! Ron...

 

Thanks man,I appreciate it! HRP

 

NICE wagon!

 

Yup,I've stayed with points for that very same thing,just had too many buddy's have same fail. I really like twin point set up best, but some time about around 30+ years I loaned out my Y-block dualpoint to a guy to go too the drags with,an it still has not found its way back. Not that my hotrod needs it,but with only one set of points ,in the reg dis. I feel less zappy,if I think about///or maybe its old age getting two me. Now were did I put that dualpoint plate kit for update,I put some were for safe keeping about 40years ago !!! Yes,your right,be EZer just to buy another dualplate kit!

 

Dana,All this time I have seen your car I never noticed it has a Y-block,that thing is so cool! HRP

 

For some reason I honestly believed the electronic ignition would be trouble free,what I didn't realize is When,not IF you have a problem it would happen unannounced and there would be no warning.

I grew up with points & condensers and even if there is a problem 99% of the time you can limp home or get out of the middle of the road. HRP

 

Thank you sir. HRP

 

Here is the more door one we had when I was a kid....

 

That is cool,is that you at the back door,is it a '53 ?

This is Brenda and her mom beside the wagon back in the day. HRP

 

I'm going back in time with my newly transplanted 5.0 Ford.....was FI, now it's a carb, was electronic ignition, have a points distributor with new points just waiting on the proper gear for the roller cam before I stick it in.

I like stuff I can see work, not enclosed in a black plastic box where I can't see what's going on!

 

Danny.You were lucky. When I used to brake down some one would always stop and help me .People just like old cars.It was nice of the cable man to stop and help you. That why I stick to point in my cars. Good luck with getting her back on the road soon. Bruce.

 

been thinking the same thing for 8 years for my truck since these are not available over the counter in many areas. I'll get right on it. I believe the Petronix is a better than stock when its working.

 

That is actually my brother, Charlie who was 11 months older than I. I am probably sitting on the back seat in that photo. My sister, Janet is the face in the quarter window. Yes....it was a 1953.

 

I miss my old 53 Ranch wagon. Flattie with overdrive and dual smittys.

 

Got one for my coupe. I'll have to get a spare and keep it in the tool box.

 

The one I have seems to be made where you can't replace the module,it appears to have the wire from the module run through the base plate and without taking the entire thing apart you can't easily access it. HRP