[Spridgets] It wasn't the Pertronix after all.

[Linda Grunthaner]

Cool Dean,
So this is the "Red" rotor I've heard about. Nice to see a photo of it. So
where do you get one of the good ones? I don't need one but cool to know
where they are for the future.
Lin

On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 10:14 PM, Dean Hedin <dlh2001 at comcast.net> wrote:

> So I get my new ignition module off of ebay last weekend.
>
> Pull out the Pertronix and install the new unit.
>
> Still no spark.
>
> So I do the test I did previously, I put a spark plug on the coil directly
> and ground the base of the plug with a test lead.  I then manually ground
> the trigger wire to the MSD box.
>
> Plenty of spark.
>
> Re-assemble everything and after some testing I realize that no spark is
> making it out of the distributor.
>
> I pull the cap off and take it down to the bench.  I have a spark making
> thingy called an Audin coil (it was used back in the 50's to test TV tubes)
> I use this to verify the cap and wires are OK.  No spark leakage.
>
> That leaves only one thing. I go up to the car and pull the rotor and take
> it down to the bench.
>
> I zap the brass of the rotor with the Audin coil while I hold a screwdriver
> (grounded with a test lead) and the spark jumps right through the plastic
> to the hole where it fits on the distributor shaft.  I couldn't believe it.
>
> Seems like the powerful MSD eventually ate it's way through the rotor.
> The rotor I had in there was an aftermarket one with a rivet used to hold
> the brass to the plastic.  Turns out that is a Bad Thing.
>
> A little research on the web and I find this...
> http://tinyurl.com/2f3apjb
>
> And I end up ordering this...
> http://tinyurl.com/2d3kfjd
>
> I put an old Lucas rotor from the junk box in there for the short term
> until
> I get the new type.
>
> The broken wire in the distributor I had discovered previously was a wild
> goose chase. There must have been another sneek path to ground, or the wire
> was just barely touching metal.
>
> I guess I ended up paying for my misdiagnosis.  But the way I look at is
> that I now have a spare electronic ignition module should the one in there
> fail later on.
>
> Hopefully all my ignition issues can be put to bed for a while.
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