pertronix ignition problem

[kuhlou]

Installed the Ignitor I ignition and flamethrower coil. My son did the install. The car ran fine immediately after install, and I tossed out the boxes and instructions, dumb move. The car will start fine, but as soon as I put into gear and apply some throttle the ignition begins missing badly, really more like cutting out. I recall seeing a post regarding getting enough current to the coil, and possibly some wiring needs to be done? I'm not having any luck finding that post again.

Is this a problem familiar to anyone? Thanks.

 

[sjburnett]

Yes basically you need to bypass the ballast resistor to get a full 12 volts to the ignition system. This thread covers the details fairly well. http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=467277

 

[BarnStang]

If I remember right, the Pertronix hot lead needs to be run to switched 12v. You don't say what year. THe instructions in the Pertronix say to not wire the hot lead to the coil. THe coil is fed (65-68 at least) by a resister wire in the harness. THe heavy pink wire under the dash acts as a ballest resister. So you need to run a lead to a 12v source that comes on with the switch. We have found that other conversion kits allow attachment to the coil on early Ford applications. And cost less. I think the last one we used was the Crane unit. Can't remember for sure. THere are two others beside the Pertronix. It is way easier to not have to run an extra wire back to the dash, and neater.

 

[D.Hearne]

Last time I checked, the Pertronix I and the Crane XR-1 were about the same price. I have my XR-1 run thru a ballast resistor and it works fine. Same resistor the Pertronix I & II ran thru if I recall correctly. This is on my 89 Ranger though. Can't remember how I ran the Pertronix I on the 68 Merc. Think it was straight thru the stock wire though.

 

[D.Hearne]

He can also download the instructions for it off of Pertronix's website............... So there'll be no lies told....................

 

[BarnStang]

Good idea...
http://www.pertronix.com/downloads/ignitor12vneg.pdf

 

[kuhlou]

Thanks very kindly for the info. I'm sure it will do the trick.

 

[70dvr]

One other possibility is the Distributor shaft moving up or down when you speed it up. I had to shim the Dist. that came with my car to get the Pertronix to work right. I did run it with the resister wire and it worked fine. I put over 50,000 mile on it before I redid the entire drive train.