Hi guys, total newbie here. I bought my first Buick 36 hours ago, 1971 Skylark Custom. Stock appearing 350 4bbl. The car died on me 10 minutes into my 1.5 hour drive home. Today I see the points are toast, worn totally away. I had great luck with Pertronix conversion on my last car (1967 AMC) so will do this Buick too. Looks like the basic kit 1181LS and the matching coil 40011 are what I need. Don't think I want the II or III level kits. Has anyone put these on your similar Buick 350 car? Advice, warnings, or commendations? Thanks! Dave
WELCOME! to our Buick Family... I had '71 Skylark and used the original Pertronix kit without issue. I'm sure the never versions would work fine as well. With my GS I actually went back to points and felt she started easier and ran better.... That said, she also runs better in my eyes after she's been cleaned -MIG
Hi, i use the Pertronix 1181 in the electra 71, 455 since a few month. My mechanics sold me the AC Delco konversation kit with the big magnetic ring above the sensor. I don't know which one for your car. My feeling is it starts better and runs good. I used it first with the orginal ACDelco coil witch has 1.29.. Ohm. But the paper from Pertronix say, use a coil with minimum 1.5 Ohm. So i bought the 40011. My 40011 now has 1.335 Ohm and not 1.5 Ohm, but it works also. Hope it works long. Also my Buick electra 71 use, according to wiring diagram, a resistance wire for the coil when is running. Only at starting there is a direkt wire from the starter, and when the starter is of, the electric power for the coil goes through the resistanc wire. In the wiring diagram for 43/44000 Series (Skylark) is the same, but not 100% shure. So if you want the full power at your coil, change the 1.8 Ohm wire to a normal one ore give a relais direkt to the batterie, so i did. Also Pertronix say, remove resistors.
Pertronix #1181 in my 1969 Electra for five years & still going strong. 430 engine & been on many long trips to the mountains & drive in movies.
Welcome and congrats on the Skylark! If you're going to run the stock power to the conversion kit (using the resistance wire for the points), I would go with the kit that Todd at Stage Won sells. They seem to get really good reviews: https://www.stage1restoration.com/product/electronic-ignition-conversion-kit-lectric-limited/
Google Pertronix "Track Record" prior to purchasing one. That may change your mind. They're on Version # 3 for a reason. Pertronix is great at advertising so a lot of folks have purchased them over the years. A lot of folks have also had to replace them over the years. I know that because I myself have been involved in replacing a BUNCH of them! Some guys have them with great success as well so . . . . . This is the kit we prefer to use simply because they work and I have yet to warranty one in 7 + years of selling and installing them . . . . Lectric Limited Brand Electronic Ignition Kit. This Kit replaces the Factory Style Points. Hooks up the Same Exact way as your Factory Distributor. No need to change any Wiring. Stock Appearing when Done! I’ve installed and sold over 200 of these so far and have yet to have any issues! Simple design that works!! No extra wires like most other brands require. Hooks up to your Factory wiring. Does not interfere with the Factory Air Cleaner like an HEI does. We use this same kit on our “Stock Appearing” Stage 1 that runs’ in the 11’s. We also use Lectric Limited Factory Replacement Spark Plug Wires. If you want a simple conversion that works and looks totally stock this is the kit! Made in the USA Be sure to check out some of the other parts we have to restore your distributor > https://www.stage1restoration.com/product-category/elec_ignition_kits/ .
Thanks all, I appreciate your specifics and reasons. I didn’t know about Lectric Limited, looks like a great option, great example of a forum educating a new guy.
You're welcome. If Lectric Limited Spent the amount of $$$ that pertronix does on advertising they'd sell a lot more units. Good advertising doesn't always equate to good products though . . . . Let me know if I can help with your project. We've been racing and restoring these cars for 30 + years. .
Piggy backing on this thread please. What is the process for converting from a Pertronix to a LL? I guess you just use the wire from the coil and maybe a stock coil?
Yes, only the stock resistive wire to the coil (or, a ballast resistor) and a stock 1.5 ohm factory coil are required. Just have to set up the advance curve you want and drive it. I have one in my low 12 second GS and it was dyno'd at 6000 rpm with no issues.
