Technical Pertronix Install Questions

Or reasons to RTFM. If you don't follow instructions you can make just about anything work poorly or break.

 

True...most problems are self inflicted, and a fear of the unknown.

 

I’ve had Pertronix on two trucks for 10 & 15 years without any issues. 12v neg ground both converted to GM style one wire alternator. At that time I believe the instructions emphasized retaining the points style coil, which I did.

The reason I went this route is because I hadn’t set up points in about 20 years and I didn’t have the patience to relearn. I do have at least one complete spare distributor with points for each engine.

 

Man, wouldn't Harbor Freight LOVE you!!

 

If your running a Borg Warner overdrive with a kick down switch on the throttle
It will toast the Pertronix when depressed

Unless you run a relay using their wiring diagram

 

I used a pertronix on my 41 Packard and found out that I only had 4 volts from the ignition switch.
If your voltage is low, suggest you run a dedicated wire from battery to toggle switch to coil to insure 6 volts to pertronix.

 

I'm sorry; given the content of the current discussion, I cannot see the relevance of this comment.

Please elucidate.

 

Generic Upgrade Install Guide
1. Research before buying.
2. Know that the company provides instructions and/or has a tech line if you do not have the knowledge and experience to install and diagnose the component/system. If you rely on someone else, make sure they are available and know what to do. They are not your 24/7 warranty call unless this has already been worked out.
3. Buy from a reputable seller if you don't have the knowledge and experience to deal with a bad seller and don't want to waste your time.
4. Read and understand the instructions before install, and ensure all parts are included and they fit your application. Gather necessary tools and any additional parts.
5. If there are any questions, ask before install. Often there is no returns for installed or partially installed items, especially electrical. Also note any steps that would make it difficult to revert back to original.
6. Now install, noting any variances and fixing any issues found during install.
7. Understand that very few parts operate completely independent of any other parts. Make sure that other parts the new component relies on are operating properly. Make sure the new parts are not subjected to extreme pressures, temperatures, vibrations, voltages or fluids they are not designed to handle.

Many of us have just grabbed the box, gone out and started ripping things out and slapping the new part on. This is often successful, but when it isn't it falls on the person doing the work to diagnose why.
These forums are full of people who do fit the profile described in step 2, but if you come on here and ask for help, please include as much info as possible about steps 4-7 in the first post and understand that it's like walking into a bar full of regulars who have had this question asked by a dozen new patrons before. There will be banter, there will be opinions and there will be questions about what you did. We all start somewhere and nobody knows everything. Just try to figure it out before just asking for the answer when it could easily be one of a dozen things, most of which are at least inspected by following the guide.

 

He nailed it with Pertronix. 90% of the guys who have trouble tried to cut a corner somewhere and didn't use exactly what Pertronix said to use and follow their instructions to the letter. Try to cheat and you often have issues.

I've never kept count but the contest for the number of threads on Pertronix swaps having issues and those aftermarket gear drive starters screwing things up runs a pretty close race.

 

Ha, logged in to call someone a jackass, but their post was gone when I did, which means I have this person previously marked as a jackass and already ignored! Lmao.

I'll say this: there's plenty of people on here that love their electronic ignition, myself included. Calling it the better of the two options is just not true, or modern cars of all types would still use points. You can call it more traditional, and there's no arguing that.

But superior? You need your head examined....

And still that's all moot. A guy asked for assistance, not options. I remember not too long ago when someone had a post seeking opinions and then got all mad when he disagreed with said opinions..... Lol.

 

The “traditional” parts have their own failures. I had several condensers fail, poor quality parts, etc. I bought a nice ‘40 Chevy 2 door for little money because someone had used inexpensive points and condenser and could not get it to run right.

No doubt Pertronix parts can fail. In my experience with several installations the only failure was due to my mistake. Post #38 is correct. So many of these threads ask questions that are answered in the instructions and wonder why they have problems because they didn’t.

 

I just wanted to update everyone here on what I did:
I replaced the Pertronix as it seemed the first one was a dud or burned out. I replaced the coil with the suggested coil as well. It ran OK, cranking over was a bit extended so we began looking into this issue. There was a large voltage drop across the old wiring, causing a very weak spark, albeit present, it was weak. I replaced the battery cables as they were very corroded and the positive was original. This helped quite a large amount, believe it or not.
ANOTHER issue I was dealing with concurrent to the poor running was that the timing was acting strange and seemed to be moving around randomly. If not leaning into the throttle slowly, it would pop and die. FIRST issue, vacuum advance was dead, replaced. Timing still moving around. SECOND, found the clamp that grips the distributor shaft was loosening on its own and kicking the timing off every so often. Now that all of these items are seemingly repaired, it runs much better, we are tuning it currently to be closer to great. It seems like all of these issues had a bit of hand in this.

 

Kyle, Glad you were able to make progress. Amazing how the simplest things can cause big problems.

 

Kyle, glad you got it working and thank you for coming back and explaining what was wrong.
I'll bet that many other issues were resolved with the wiring and battery cable repairs. Happy motoring!

 

Thanks for the update about the problems you found and fixed. Too many threads end without a conclusion.