Hadn’t drove my Buick (60 LaSabre) for a couple of weeks and when I did I noticed that it was idling rough and lacking power. Buzzed back home and started pulling plug wires. Started on drivers side and they all killed their cylinder when pulled. Got around to #1 on the passenger side and it didn’t change anything when I pulled the wire. I stuffed a screw driver in the wire to see if it would arc to the block and nothing. I was doubting my theory so I pulled the wire next to it. The second I got the screwdriver in the plug boot I had definite indication of spark. Right through my harbor freight glove haha. I checked the offending wire for continuity and it had none. Found an old wire in the garage and replaced it. Still no spark on #1. I sat on the bumper in defeat and pulled out the ol smart phone. First I learned about plug wire resistance and why my cheap multimeter wouldn’t show continuity. Then I turned to the H.A.M.B. and came across a post about pertronix ignition modules. I pulled my distributor and sure enough....... The magnetic ring had separated from the little clear plastic layer and one of the magnets had fallen out. Gone forever. Another dropped out when I pulled the ring but I found that one. Looks like none of the stores carry the ring separate from the complete pertronix kit so I’ll have to order one. Thanks H.A.M.B. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I like the sorting it out one step at a time way you went about it. I'm not well versed in how the Pertronix setup works so that is something to stash in the memory bank.
This is a web pic but mine is identical. That clear film is on the bottom so when it fell off one of the magnets dropped out. One magnet for each cylinder to trip the sensor and spark the corresponding cyl. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Starting to think the same. This car had the pertronix setup when I bought it and the points are removed altogether. When I was digging online it sounded like you could keep the points in your distributor for a backup. Whoever put this one together pulled them out. One of the comments I saw was “I run points because I drive my cars out of town.” Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I had the same thing happen to my Pertronix magnetic ring, although it spit 4 of the magnets out! I limped home on the other 4 cylinders. I contacted Customer support and they sent me a new ring. It was out of warranty and they still covered it. However I sold the unit and went back to points. Alot of friends have had good luck with them but not me. I never had a problem with points and just wanted to update, wrong. My old sbc prefers the OEM I guess, Ha Sent from my HTC One M9 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Haha - it’s my old Radio Shack multimeter from school. On another note.... I went to pickup a connector to repair something for my son and found out there isn’t a Radio Shack in town anymore. Looks like they’ve gone the way of Blockbuster. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Accel has a sale on, and I think Summit and others are honoring it as well, they have their optical electronics conversion kit which doesn't require distributor disassembly. But working on a rear distributor is always a bit of a PITA when reaching over the fender. I am a bit bummed by Pertronixs GM kits. They use that goofy ring, you think they would at least mold the magnets inside the plastic rather than glue them in. And IIRC it also requires disassembling the distributor to get the ring on. On the Ford kids there is a magnet ring/collar that just slides over the points stator and the pickup replaces the points. A 10min job.
Lets face it squirrel, you are just old school, and can make a car go faster and more reliable then the rest of us, with all the high tech shit we can buy. Hats off to you. Brian
I have a Petronix kit for my 235 but doubting that I will ever use it,if I can not get a OEM electronic distributor for a motor I am going to stay with points. Read about too many failures with those.
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