[Nobbc] Petronix ignition testing

[Richard Brown]

 Ron, replacing the distributor to the Pertronix flame thrower programmable
model actually did much more in terms of improving perfromance/starting/smooth
running than just the installing the Pertronix ignition. It was like night and
day, I can pull below idle speed in 4th gear with no hiccups or spluttering
now.


Richard Brown

Engineering / New Programs-Manager

Injex Industries, Inc.

510.475.8309 / Direct

510.385.9161 / Cellular

510.476.1444 / Fax


-----Original Message-----
From: nobbc-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:nobbc-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Ron Engelhardt
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 10:39 AM
To: North Bay British Car Club
Subject: Re: [Nobbc] Petronix ignition testing

My original coil did work with the Pertronix but I got much better performance
by replacing it with a Lucas Sport coil ($28 at Jordon's).
I was able to increase the spark plug gap; the big, fat, hot spark fires up
the engine even in the coldest weather now. You shouldn't have to replace your
distributor however.

Ron
58 MGA

Mike Gianandrea wrote:

> Hey Greg,
>
> I have gotten pretty excited about putting the Pertronics in my TR4,
> but your message sort of takes me back to my original reservations. In
> reading your message, it would seem that replacing the points only is
> only part of the job, thus it would seem that for proper performance,
> one should replace the points, coil, and distributor, is this correct?
> Also, I have Draeger gauges (not sure they read acurately now) in my
> TR4, am I likely to have a problem with these? If I'm going to make a
> change, I prefer to do a complete and correct job, and have my car
> hummin. What are your recommendations?
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gregory Tatarian"
> <gtwincams at gmail.com>
> To: "North Bay British Car Club" <nobbc at autox.team.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 8:10 AM
> Subject: Re: [Nobbc] Petronix ignition testing
>
>
>> I have a few observations and some experiences with Pertronix:
>>
>> First, the ignition timing will change after conversion. The trigger
>> point of the unit is different than with contact points, and most
>> likely your timing will be REALLY advanced, so keep that in mind.
>>
>> Next, the coil resistance is very important, and must be matched to
>> the existing wiring in the car and the type of Pertronix used (Ignitor vs.
>> Ignitor II vx. Ignitor III). Specifically, cars with ballast
>> resistance wires will affect the coil resistance selection, as will
>> the conversion unit. Most of the conversion units for our cars are
>> Ignitor (not II or III), but new distributors come with II or III
>> versions, so be careful there.
>>
>> One effect of changing your ballast wire/coil configuration is your
>> tachometer; using a 1.5 ohm coil instead of a 3.0 ohm coil after
>> removal of the ballast wire will often result in a tachometer that
>> does not read correctly - often 2x the actual reading. In many cases,
>> your tachometer will bounce around no matter which coil/wire/Ignitor
>> combination is selected.
>> This is due to the older type of triggering used in older cars. If
>> you have Smiths gauges, for example, and have an RVI movement tach,
>> you will be likely to have issues. If you have a later RVC tach, it
>> will almost certainly perform properly, due to the compatibility in
>> circuitry with electronic ignition. Old tachs can be converted, but
>> that's easier done in England than here, though there are one or two
>> shops that handle the conversion.
>>
>> What I have found is that it is generally safer to use a 3.0 ohm coil
>> with our without a ballast wire and have the Pertronix see extra
>> resistance than to use a 1.5 ohm coil without a ballast wire, even if
>> that is the preferred configuration, unless you convert your tach.
>>
>> There are other considerations when converting to Pertronix, and we
>> can cover those at the tech session if that's a popular subject.
>>
>> FWIW, I have Pertronix units on the Elan and TR6, and they function
>> flawlessly, and have since being installed. I don't keep a spare set
>> of points, but I do have a spare Pertronix. I've had plenty of points
>> and condensors fail or wear prematurely, so always used to keep
>> spares of those, although they are cheaper in comparison; I just
>> always expect that something will fail, and I'm not disappointed when
>> it does. Hmm. Cynical of me...
>>
>> Spark on!
>>
>> Greg Tatarian
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 7:50 AM, Walter Kilchherr
>> <wkilch at sbcglobal.net>wrote:
>>
>>> I've heard nothing but good about Pertronics, it improved my Sprites
>>> performance. BUT, I've heard you can kill them by leaving the
>>> ignition on too long without the engine running. It does hurt to
>>> have the old parts in your car just in case.
>>>
>>> Walter
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Nobbc mailing list
>> Nobbc at autox.team.net
>> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/nobbc
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nobbc mailing list
> Nobbc at autox.team.net
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/nobbc
_______________________________________________
Nobbc mailing list
Nobbc at autox.team.net
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/nobbc