Bye bye points (need some options)

Let me know how that works out for you as I might go the same direction. Thanks for starting this tread, good info!

Clint

 

Here's what I've seen. People who had the pertronix units for 5+ years love them and never have trouble. People who went with that company in the last few years had nothing but problems. I think it's safe to say that they have developed quality issues over the years just like all the other outsourced parts suppliers. I've been seeing the same thing with bosch sensors and accel electronics.

As mentioned the resistance is through a wire that looks like thin orange rope. It's kind of a mesh looking wire that stands out from the other wires in the harness. The resistence is built into the wire through the mesh construction.

 

Has anyone tried the Mallory conversion kit? This might be a way to go, not much to be found about them online (no reviews I could find). Retails for about $62.

Mallory 61001M - Mallory E-Spark Conversion Kits


"Mallory's new low cost E-Spark Conversion Kits eliminate points in GM, Ford, Chrysler and Mallory distributors. Designed with ease of installation in mind, these kits eliminate the pesky problem of constantly having to change and adjust points forever. Even better, everything fits inside the distributor so everything is self-contained and looks original on the outside. No moving parts to wear out, and gain better drivability"

 

Well, she fired up on the first try! I am very pleased. Response feels way better and crisper. All I have to do is time it and that's a wrap.

Maybe what people screw up with this kit is the gapping. The instructions clearly state that if you do not set the correct gap between the electronic pickup (that took the place of the points) and the magnet the kit gives you to install on the bottom side of the rotor, rough idle and brake-ups at hi RPM's could be present.

It is a pretty broad gap though. Specs say a gap between .010" and .060" is ideal. I took my time with a set of feeler guages and the washers the kit includes to get the gap to .015" (rotor shaft pushed all the way down) and .050" (rotor shaft pushed all the way up).

Maybe endplay is what other people didn't take into consideration when installing this kit.

 

NO,

The gap, at least on my install, had nothing to do with the failure. Pulled the distributor shaft out, shimmed it toward the tight end of the spec given in the manual. I had the unit in for about 4 years and 10K miles when it started falling over at any rpm over about 4K rpm. Over the course of a week it kept creeping lower until it would not rev over 3K rpm. Sent a distributor to Dave ray to convert to mag pickup and have not had any ignition related problems since. I know people with with Ignitor 1 and 2 that have lasted for years and years with no problems. I'm not a fan of the ignitor 2 as you have to crank it a bit before it starts.

 

Good to hear its working for you. Still wondering if that Mallory kits is a good one too? I watched the video on the Pertronix and it seems that if you shim it wrong, don't have clean grounds, or a coil with the wrong resistance you can run into issues. (Not trying to imply all issues come from that). Any body have experience with the Mallory?

 

Took her out for a ride today with the new setup. I pushed the skinny down hard a few times to let the Q-jet drink and I couldn't be happier. The kit works well across the RPM band; no breaking up down low or up high. :TU:

 

Very cool. When I was growing up my parents had a 70 Wildcat and a 71 Electra. Nice cars, and let just say there was never a lack of room!

 

Not sure why you guys are ignoring the Lectric Limited kit Jim L. mentioned??? It is the only one that uses only stock wire. You do not need to look for a 2 V source. No extra wire and it works with original resistance wire to the coil. Looks like the best bet to me. I have had tons of problems with two different types of petronix. When I talk to my race car friends they laugh at HEI. Say they are junk. A complete new MSD distributor would be teh other best bet if you want to spend some $.

 

I had one of the magnet wheel Pertronix units some years ago. The magnets were held in by a mylar tape which did not resist the oil in my distributor (present due to severe blowby).

After repairing the magnet ring with epoxy I managed to wreck the pickup - don't remember how.

I went back to points and have had the same set in the car for at least 5 years.

 

Larry, I know what you mean. I always thought the Pertronix was very Cheap.

 

I'm not sure I'm reading it right, but I'm not really seeing anyone give intel on the lectriclimited.com unit. So I'll get mine installed here in a week when it gets here and report back on what I see for my LeSabre.

To be continued....

 

I did go with this unit awhile back and the install was easy. It fired up fine but it was pinging under load now. Still messing with the timing trying to get it dialed in when I have a free moment so can't give a 100 % feedback on it yet.

 

Ok...i had to buy new(reman) distributor since the shaft had way too much play and vacuum advance was frozen. I installed lectriclimited.com kit and so far am pleased with results. I'll go another week and report back in to let you know how its going.

 

I want to hear about this too...This was going to be my choice if I get that far.....:laugh::laugh:

Scott

 

I have the Lectric Limited set up in several cars. I have never had a failure. It allows you to maintain one wire without bypassing the resistor wire required by some units.

There are many reports of Pertronix failures on this Board. I understand that some have never experienced a Pertronix failure but far too many have reported issues for my taste. Why do we ride around in 5 figure cars while we shop for the cheapest, and maybe the ignition module with one of the worst failure records, on the market?? In my own opinion you are better off with points that can be easy found and repaired on the road.

 

Not to be argumentative but here's my two cents. I really don't think Pertronix is the most unreliable system out there, I know many people who love it, and in fact I don't know anyone who's had a problem. So, Here's my thoughts on the Pertronix and why I chose it. It wasn't because it was cheap (there are cheaper options out there) or because its flawless. Its because it has such a huge track record with millions being sold vs the what I imagine is the few lectric limited sets. That system may be in fact riff with problems but how would you ever know since so few use it or review it??? Additionally, having worked as an aircraft electrician for 21 years, I know that electronics do not last forever, they wear out, I really don't think lectric is immune to it. Further more, I know that to someone without electrical knowledge, anything with a wire to it can be an utter mystery. As you stated the lectric is easier to install because the ballast resistor isn't an issue. How many of the failures are due to a bad ground or ballast resistor that wasn't addressed on install? More than a few I suspect. Plus my Pertronix is guaranteed for 30 months and contrary to a previous post here its Made in the U.S.A (the separately purchased coil wasn't, but the Ignitor II is). As for the last point about points, you should carry a spare set in your glove box with any conversion system in my opinion, why not.

 

Here's what I say to all of this. Use what you want to use, if it doesn't work, take it out and move on to something else. Everything we deal with here has warranty to it, and money back if not satisfied. If it works for you great, if not, then find something that does work for you. The reason we have this forum is to see trends and info on our dinosaurs, then make the decision that is right for you.

All of our cars are unique, why shouldn't their operating systems be just as unique? I got my LeSabre that runs great on its factory quadrajet. My 76 Electra ran like crap on its q-jet but made many x-country trips without a sputter on the Edelbrock I replaced with it. I call it "natures of the beasts". Right now, the lectriclimited unit is functionally far better than the points/condensor. And if you noticed in my previous post, I had to replace the whole distributor before adding the kit. How many of us repair vs. replace parts hoping thats all they need? Some say their kits work, others say they don't. We don't know if "they" repair or replace parts...so we don't know the whole story when something doesn't work. We take it at face value since "they" and "their car" aren't in front of us.

So let's all respect everyone's experience and opinions. Trial and error is what makes our beasts move, and the variety of experiences on this forum helps each of us keep those beasts moving. That's my five cents worth.

By the way, all of your football teams suck, Raiders rule!!! :bla: