Pertronix Ign Installation

[Stovebolt]

Oh wise gurus:

Installed the Pertronix kit yesterday. Other than the distributor cover being a PITA (is it like that for everyone or am I doing something wrong? Those 6 screws are hard to get to and I seem to use various combinations of my entire screwdriver collection with each of them), it seemed to go as easy as advertised. I even seemed to get the timing right -- being a combination of adjusting the "points plate" and the traditional distributor adjustment. Started right up on the second adjustment and seems to be running fine. Even went for a short road test and the improvement was noticeable (no hesitation, smooth acceleration, easier starting). One of the points plate hold down clip things was broken so I had to fab a new one out of the end of a wiring tie down bracket. a couple of bites with the tin snips and I was good to go.

Soooo, the question is this: The ease of this whole operation is making me suspicious. Is it really this easy or am I walking into the beaten zone of an ambush of some kind??

I tuned by ear/wild guess method. How does one use a timing light with the armored plug wires?

Also, I now notice that it's seems a touch underpowered/gearing is slightly too tall -- I'm running the big Michelins, so is that normal?

Thanks!

[Cal_Gary]

Hi Stovebolt,
I intend to get the Pertronix upgrade-I've heard nothing but good things about it.
There is an adapter for the armored plug wires; alas I don't have it as I'm running civvy components.
Big Michelins (1100x16 I assume) will lead to feeling a bit less power, offset by a little more "stride" with the taller tires. 4th gear is most noticeable regardless of tire size since 4th is such a dramatic step up from 3rd.

Just my 2 cents,
Gary

[ZGjethro]

Stovebolt, did you do the work with the distributor on the block? I was going to replace my coil only, and I was having a bear of a time removing the six cover screws. I pulled the unit, and it was pretty easy working on the bench.

There is an adaptor which allows you to use a timing light if you are running the waterproof wires.

[isaac_alaska]

for me the hardest part about the cap is getting the wires to the points (or pertronix) to sit down out of the way far enough that the cap can be installed. i'm tempted to file a bit off the bottom of the cap to help clear the wires right next to the coil, but i haven't done it yet. i don't see how it would hurt anything though if i didn't go crazy with the power file.

[Stovebolt]

Jethro -- I did the installation with the distro in the block. those six screws were buggars. Well, actually only turns out to be five as one was missing... Anyway, I figured dealing with those screws was less of a hassle than resetting the distro, timing, rehooking all the vent lines and plug wires etc and whatever other "maintenance Induced failures" I would have incurred....

[MSeriesRebuild]

[quote="Stovebolt"]Oh wise gurus:

Installed the Pertronix kit yesterday. Other than the distributor cover being a PITA (is it like that for everyone or am I doing something wrong? Those 6 screws are hard to get to and I seem to use various combinations of my entire screwdriver collection with each of them), it seemed to go as easy as advertised. I even seemed to get the timing right -- being a combination of adjusting the "points plate" and the traditional distributor adjustment. Started right up on the second adjustment and seems to be running fine. Even went for a short road test and the improvement was noticeable (no hesitation, smooth acceleration, easier starting). One of the points plate hold down clip things was broken so I had to fab a new one out of the end of a wiring tie down bracket. a couple of bites with the tin snips and I was good to go.

Soooo, the question is this: The ease of this whole operation is making me suspicious. Is it really this easy or am I walking into the beaten zone of an ambush of some kind??

I tuned by ear/wild guess method. How does one use a timing light with the armored plug wires?

Installation method is a personal preference, easier on the bench for sure though. Taller tires kill power, something that is not overwhelming with a 230 at its best, so you can expect that issue. If the timing is not set correctly, that can also cause the feeling of being under powered. Set your timing correctly, 4 degrees BEFORE TDC, using a good timing light. If your engine internals are good, distributor and carb is right, that will be about as good as it gets; but more than likely still underpowered with the tall tires.