Options with Pertronix II

wahoo23 · Oct 7, 2007

Another newbie question - I've read many threads on this forum about different ignition systems, and I've decided to go with the Pertronix II with Flamethrower coil. However - I'd like to "dress up" the engine with a new (preferably chrome) distributor also. Can someone help me identify my options?

[1967 Coupe w/ 302]

180 Out · Oct 7, 2007

The best option to go with the Pertronix Ignitor II is a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

69gmachine · Oct 7, 2007

180 Out said:
The best option to go with the Pertronix Ignitor II is a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

It sounds like you're speaking from 1st hand experience!

So before I get stranded somewhere, please enlighten us on your tale of woe.

wahoo23 · Oct 7, 2007

180 Out said:
The best option to go with the Pertronix Ignitor II is a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Yes, I was looking for useful information, so please enlighten me with your Pertronix experience.

BarnStang · Oct 7, 2007

Are you asking about the Pertronix Flamethrower billet distributor? If you want a different (chrome?) distributer, I'm not sure why you would want to get one you have to convert to an electronic ign...maybe a little more info would help. THere are a bunch of choices out there for a billet dist. If you are going to do that, MSD makes one I'm sure that would allow you to upgrade with their products as you need them. Jacobs ign does as well. (personal preferance-sorry) and others of course. The Pertronix billet dist looks ok too...
http://pertronix.com/

Az Pete · Oct 7, 2007

The Pertronix II has been known for more failures and when it fails, you walk. The Pertronix I seems to have a lot lesser failure rate. This is just info from reading several different sites with topics on them. I use Pertronix I and have had no failures in two vehicles for over 40,000 miles.

67&05STANGS · Oct 8, 2007

I have a 67 Mustang Vert with a 289. I installed the Pertonix Billet distributer along with the flame-thrower coil and 7mm Pertronix wires. I have been driving with this set-up for two years with no problems. The wires have a lifetime warranty. I found a small crack in one last year and NPD gave me a complete new set with no fuss. I opted for the Pertronix partly because of the stock look. I don't go in for all the red and yellow caps and wires on a classic.

68GT500KR_Vert · Oct 8, 2007

my engine builder bought this for my engine:
http://www.iceignition.com/

we tested it against MDS and Pertonix; it blew them away.

you can get them here in the states from MME Racing; that's who built my engine.
http://www.mmeracing.com/mmeracing/

69gmachine · Oct 8, 2007

So far we've yet to hear from anyone with 1st hand experience that has had a Pertronix II fail. Since Wahoo23 hasn't bought his yet, he may opt out for some other combo, but I'm knee deep in it already. I don't have a lot of miles on it yet and I don't want to switch to an entirely new system, regardless of how well it does if I have to toss my freshly rebuilt and calibrated distributor.

I might keep a Pertronix I handy in case I break down somewhere and need to swap it out. But I also have to wonder if there is more to the story of the Pertronix II failures. Could they have been installed wrong? Could it be the same story being re-told over and over like an automotive urban legend??

68GT500KR_Vert · Oct 8, 2007

Small world; I live like 10 minutes from you.

69gmachine said:
So far we've yet to hear from anyone with 1st hand experience that has had a Pertronix II fail. Since Wahoo23 hasn't bought his yet, he may opt out for some other combo, but I'm knee deep in it already. I don't have a lot of miles on it yet and I don't want to switch to an entirely new system, regardless of how well it does if I have to toss my freshly rebuilt and calibrated distributor.

I might keep a Pertronix I handy in case I break down somewhere and need to swap it out. But I also have to wonder if there is more to the story of the Pertronix II failures. Could they have been installed wrong? Could it be the same story being re-told over and over like an automotive urban legend??

wahoo23 · Oct 8, 2007

69gmachine said:
So far we've yet to hear from anyone with 1st hand experience that has had a Pertronix II fail. Since Wahoo23 hasn't bought his yet, he may opt out for some other combo...

I am actually sold on Pertronix, but, based on some comments, may opt for the Pertronix I instead of II (but would like pros and cons of both from those that have first-hand experience). I was just looking for options on a cost effective billet distributor to replace the ratty-looking original...

68GT500KR_Vert · Oct 8, 2007

any engine builder I've talk to said the Pertronix stuff is junk.

Rapid · Oct 8, 2007

I've got the Chevy style HEI they build. THe only problem I have had is whne I did not get a good 12v line to the dist. as the instructions indicated.

BarnStang · Oct 8, 2007

Junk is a matter of perspective. For a street strip car that's probably true. Anything past 6k and it can't keep up. For the Sunday driver with no street racing, it's a decent maint free ign. I put one in my GT350 clone project, but that was only cause it was free...it was in the trunk of a Fairlane I restored-new in the box. It will work ok for now.

But we have been getting the Accel kit. THey cost less and don't force you to run a 12v line. THeir inst say to hook it to the coil with or without a ballest wire. We have put in more then 10 Pertronix I kits and at least 3-4 Accell kits. No complaints yet. Haven't used the Pertronix II kit yet. And MSD goes in the performance cars.

10secgoal · Oct 8, 2007

I haven't tried the new II, but I just had a customer burn one up. It's a regular occurance. The distributors aren't any better. One came in with the pin sheared off. Not unheard of with any dist. But they funny thing is why. I called them to find out if this was right, and they said yes. The gear is not a press on like everyone elses. So the pin bears the entire load of the force. Where as before it was press fit on, and that would take all the load.
I don't recomend them to anyone unless they are the only way to get magnetic pickup. And then I tell them to buy two.

wahoo23 · Oct 9, 2007

So it sounds like going with a new MSD is the best solution for performance and reliability?
http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=8582+01
It's just a matter of spending more?

180 Out · Oct 9, 2007

My Pertronix Ignitor II experience was to put one in the OE distributor in my '65 C code and after about 500 miles, one day it wouldn't start. I was at a meeting 40 miles from home. I swapped in some new points and condensor and they're still in there four years later.

I am also unhappy with the cold start performance of my Pertronix Flamethrower coil. I am running an MSD box and it still feels like it has very little energy. The MSD Blaster coil and Crane Hi-6R box in my '70 Cougar 351C starts up with a bang every time with just a touch of the starter motor.

To wahoo23, if you're thinking to buy a new distributor, they all come with electronic timing devices built in, unless for some reason you chose a new breaker point distributor. There's no need to buy an Ignitor module to go with a new distributor.

The cheap option is to swap in a Ford Duraspark module and distributor. The brand name electronic distributors, like MSD, Crane, Accel, and Mallory, are pretty expensive. Most of them require an external spark box, which adds another $120-200 to the equation. Most of them have no vacuum advance (which increases your costs, too, in the form of lower gas mileage). Then there is the Pro Comp option (Chinese knock offs). These are for the adventurous risk taker, as is the Pertronix Ignitor II.

Options with Pertronix II

wahoo23

Member

180 Out

Member

69gmachine

Member

wahoo23

Member

BarnStang

Attachments

Az Pete

67&05STANGS

Member

68GT500KR_Vert

69gmachine

Member

68GT500KR_Vert

wahoo23

Member

68GT500KR_Vert

Rapid

New Member

BarnStang

10secgoal

Active Member

wahoo23

Member

180 Out

Member

Similar threads

Options with Pertronix II

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

New Member

Active Member

Member

Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency