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> Pertronix ignitor electronic ignition, Is there a down side??
Pertronix ignitor electronic ignition
Pertronix ignitor electronic ignition
Have it and wouldn't go without one [ 51 ] ** [78.46%]
Have it and wish I didn't [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Want one [ 12 ] ** [18.46%]
Wouldn't have it [ 2 ] ** [3.08%]
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gunny
post Dec 13 2012, 02:52 PM
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is there a down side to swapping out the points for the Pertronix ignitor electronic ignition?
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Rand
post Dec 13 2012, 03:04 PM
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Instant failure is the downside. So pack those points you took out just in case you have the 1 in a million failure.

Do you know how to get yourself running on the side of the road if your pertronix fails and you have the standby?

If so, don't look back. Points suck.

All that said aboot the failures.... Psh. Doesn't happen. Go digital. Reap the benefits. Laugh at the analog scoffers who still file points and clean them with dollar bills.

DISCLAIMER:
I will never put Pertronix on my old truck. It loves me and tells me when it hurts. I file its points. And clear with a dollar bill. And we roll again.
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pt_700
post Dec 13 2012, 03:16 PM
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i've heard the early ones are prone to fail if one leaves the ignition on w/o the engine running (as in listening to the radio).

as rand has said, you can't fix 'em if they fail.

i remember having to re-set the dwell every couple weeks in my father's old datsun pickup every few weeks to keep it running well. i realized years later the cam on the distributor shaft was probably either dry or scored... i installed a set in my 914 many years ago and haven't messed with them.

go ahead and install a set, keep the points / condenser in the car as a backup.
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struckn
post Dec 13 2012, 03:17 PM
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I have them in a couple cars and I feel there is a noticible improvement. Only thing I have heard is do not leave the key on when the motor is not running because the coil may fry if you're using Electronic Ignition.
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jsayre914
post Dec 13 2012, 03:26 PM
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I have always run one on my car. had one fail about 10 years ago, love it. Make sure you notch the bottom plate with a grinder before you install it. it will interfere with the vacume advance movement.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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TheCabinetmaker
post Dec 13 2012, 03:41 PM
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You missed option 5 on the poll. Had one or more and wouldn't have another.


I've had three and they all failed. If you have them and like them, more power to you.
Points fail too . I carry an extra set in the glove box. It takes about two minutes to swap points and be back on the road. If the pertronics fail, the distributor must be removed to reinstall the condenser. I guess you could carry an extra pertronics unit, but I can carry10 sets of points for the same price as the spare pertronics.

If you like them fine, if you don't that's fine too. Personally, I enjoy setting dwell, timing,and checking all the settings and resetting everything.
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Black22
post Dec 13 2012, 05:21 PM
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QUOTE(The Cabinetmaker @ Dec 13 2012, 01:41 PM) *

You missed option 5 on the poll. Had one or more and wouldn't have another.


I've had three and they all failed. If you have them and like them, more power to you.
Points fail too . I carry an extra set in the glove box. It takes about two minutes to swap points and be back on the road. If the pertronics fail, the distributor must be removed to reinstall the condenser. I guess you could carry an extra pertronics unit, but I can carry10 sets of points for the same price as the spare pertronics.

If you like them fine, if you don't that's fine too. Personally, I enjoy setting dwell, timing,and checking all the settings and resetting everything.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) Pull the dizzy and replace the condenser when the Pertronix fails?

AFAIK you do not use a condenser when a Pertronix module is used...maybe that was part of your problem with those 3 units. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I have a Pertronix, no condenser on my dizzy!
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steuspeed
post Dec 13 2012, 05:36 PM
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QUOTE(jsayre914 @ Dec 13 2012, 01:26 PM) *

I have always run one on my car. had one fail about 10 years ago, love it. Make sure you notch the bottom plate with a grinder before you install it. it will interfere with the vacume advance movement.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)


Interesting. I wonder if that's why I get a little studder when I'm really on the gas. PO installed the Pertronix on my car. Is it obvious what need to be ground off?
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jsayre914
post Dec 13 2012, 05:43 PM
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QUOTE(steuspeed @ Dec 13 2012, 06:36 PM) *

QUOTE(jsayre914 @ Dec 13 2012, 01:26 PM) *

I have always run one on my car. had one fail about 10 years ago, love it. Make sure you notch the bottom plate with a grinder before you install it. it will interfere with the vacume advance movement.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)


Interesting. I wonder if that's why I get a little studder when I'm really on the gas. PO installed the Pertronix on my car. Is it obvious what need to be ground off?


http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...ertronix++plate

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euro911
post Dec 13 2012, 05:43 PM
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He said remove the dizzy to reinstall the condenser.

I carry a spare set of points and condenser. If I can find another decent Bosch VJR4-BR8 dizzy for a good price, I'd have it ready with points gapped and condenser installed, ready to swap out if needed.

Connect your radio/stereo to the fuse block or directly to the battery (with a fuse), bypassing the ignition switch altogether (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)


... just don't forget to turn it off ...
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TheCabinetmaker
post Dec 13 2012, 06:12 PM
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Yes, reinstall. Not replace. If I carry points for when my pertronics fails, I will need a
condensor too.

Nice read, Euro
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Black22
post Dec 13 2012, 07:45 PM
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Maybe I'm just a nimble mechanic with elf like hands, but I have never had to remove my dizzy to attach the condenser. I've done this multiple times by the way.

Sorry for the mis-read. Thanks Mark!
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aircooledtechguy
post Dec 13 2012, 09:13 PM
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I must be the exception to the rule, 'cuz I have been running either Pertronix or Compufire (my favorite) for over 20+ years on my own cars and countless clients cars and have yet to have a failure personally. The ONLY time I have seen them fail is by getting the wires crossed and turning on the ignition or in the case of Pertronix units, having the wires get rubbed through by making contact with the magnetic stator (see my warning page and easy fix here).

I guess I like to live dangerously; I don't worry about having a spare anything when I drive. I've found that religious preventive maintenance is the best insurance against breakdowns.
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falconfp2001
post Dec 13 2012, 09:27 PM
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QUOTE(gunny @ Dec 13 2012, 12:52 PM) *

is there a down side to swapping out the points for the Pertronix ignitor electronic ignition?


I have a crane 700 installed. The second engine that I've had with it and they are pretty flawless. You just have to make sure you twist tie the wiring out of the way correctly or it may chew through it. Cranes are optical. You can still purchase from summit racing.
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Michelj13
post Dec 14 2012, 09:20 AM
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I ran with Pertronix for 17 years in my 912 with never a failure. I also used MSD multispark and did not see much difference with that.
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gms
post Dec 14 2012, 09:43 AM
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QUOTE(euro911 @ Dec 13 2012, 05:43 PM) *

I carry a spare set of points and condenser. If I can find another decent Bosch VJR4-BR8 dizzy for a good price, I'd have it ready with points gapped and condenser installed, ready to swap out if needed.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I carry a spare distributor with points and condenser installed, just get the engine to TDC then swap dizzy and drive home to re-time.
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76-914
post Dec 14 2012, 10:27 AM
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10+ yr's in my K Ghia and 3 yr's in my '76. 6 month's in my '73 because I can't tell the difference between + & -. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif) Bought another set at the G&R meet for $50 and I'm just waiting for the points to go south before I swap out again. And yes, I did notice a small improvement in all 3 vehicles after installing. Maybe I imagined that but that's my perception. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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914werke
post Dec 14 2012, 03:43 PM
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QUOTE(Black22 @ Dec 13 2012, 05:45 PM) *

Maybe I'm just a nimble mechanic with elf like hands, but I have never had to remove my dizzy to attach the condenser. I've done this multiple times by the way.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Thats straight to the point being made by the PRO camp. Set & forget. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
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Black22
post Dec 14 2012, 04:12 PM
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QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Dec 14 2012, 01:43 PM) *

QUOTE(Black22 @ Dec 13 2012, 05:45 PM) *

Maybe I'm just a nimble mechanic with elf like hands, but I have never had to remove my dizzy to attach the condenser. I've done this multiple times by the way.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Thats straight to the point being made by the PRO camp. Set & forget. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)


I voted PRO too. I've just changed out to points when trying to suss out other issues and rule out my module.
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Drums66
post Dec 14 2012, 08:21 PM
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..I'm with all the positive installer's above..10+yrs on 1 set!
The reliability is in the hand's of the installer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)
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