Flathead Crab Style Distributer

Has anyone converted an original crab style distributer to electronic ignition. Pertronix seems to only sell kits for the later style. Any information on how it has been done would be appreciated.

 

I think Tommy on here has done it.

Here's one from the techno site:

http://home1.gte.net/wgmumaw/Distconv/Distributor%20Conversion.htm

 

you can simply use the points to trigger an external box, this has the other advantage of reducing arcing and extending point life indefinitely, as long as they are decent quality points with hard enough rubbing blocks, some people have had trouble with blocks wearing down really fast, so avoid cheapo point sets if you go this way.
I read that Mopar conversion article, sounds tricky, but i might have a go at it just for fun on a spare crab dizzy, as ive got a mopar diz lying around.
the trigger device is not the most important part of electronic ignition, boosting the spark duration and volume is. in the case of an original crab dizzy i dont think its worth it to try and fit a module into the actual distributor housing, just tuck it under your dash or something.

 

Don't know anything about it but I've got a Mallory electronic crab distributor in a box on the shelf. It came with a motor I bought for stock. I s'pose I'll learn about it when I need to use it. Point is...you can buy them.

 

Thanks Flat Ernie. That was the information that I was looking for. At the risk of hearing more "Pertronix suck" stories , has anyone tried a conversion with one of the Pertronix units?

 

I used a Pertronix on a Stude distributor - I'm not all that impressed.

 

can you still use cloth plug wires with this set up.billy

 

When I was in the parts business working for CarQuest we sold quite a few Pertronix kits to local Corvette owners, they were listed in the Standard Ignition catalog but not as Pertronix(?).