[Spridgets] points part two

David Riker davriker at nwi.net
Tue Mar 17 15:48:26 MST 2009


PART TWO:
Installing a Petronix, crane, or other electronic iginition into a stock
style distributor eliminates problems 1,2,3, and compensates for #4.  Points
are just a mechanical switch, and the electronic system is just an
electronic switch.  Some electronic ignitions sense a magnetic field, and
some shine a light beem that is interupted by a disc.  Either way, no points
to burn, no block to wear, no spring to bounce.  Minor shaft wobble goes
unnoticed by the electronic components, so even with a moderately worn
distributor, ignition accuracy is maintained.

When a petronix or crane type system is installed, the centrifugal and
vacuum advance system of the stock distributor is retained.  If there are
wear problems like weak or incorrect springs, sticking or incorrect weights,
these problems will not be solved by adding a petronix.  Since all of the
A-series, B-series, and 1500 midget distributors will "fit" and work to some
degree, 40 years and ? owners later how do you know you have the optimum
distributor even if it is in perfect mechanical condition?  YOU DON'T.  The
factory couldn't even decide which one worked best.  Some were curved to
optimize fuel economy, some for low rpm torque, some for emissions, some for
high rpm power.  Even if your car seems to run fine, could it run better
with a different curve?  You won't know unless you have a rolliing road, and
all the different available springs and weights.  When Autozone sells you a
rebuilt distributor, they are saying that the springs work, the weights are
clean and move freely, the shaft bearing is replaced, and it will work, NOT
THAT IT WILL BE OPTIMAL.  What the 1,2,3 distributor does is replace the
distributor with NEW, eliminate the mechanical systems all together, and
replace them with electronic technology refined over the last 30 years, with
a built in computer controlled program for multiple rpm based advance curves
and multiple vacuum based advance curves so that with the flip of a switch
you can drive around with a curve optimized for economy, pull up to the race
track, flip the switch to another setting and be optimized for a day of
autocrossing.

Points distributors work.  So do typewriters, but this list would be pretty
impractical if we all had to type letters and put them in envelopes and mail
them off to each other.

Dave Riker 


More information about the Spridgets mailing list