Ignition wires and Petronix question...

[Anonymous]

I installed a 68 dual advance distributor. Does this mean I can run larger ignition wires? If so, what does everybody recommend?

I also have a PEtronix conversion and flamethrower coil to install. I am tempted to not even install the Petronix since the car is running so good on the points. Could i install the flamethrower coil without installing the Petronix system?

Need a little advice.

Thanks

 

[CZLN6]

HowdyBack:

I'm assuming that you mean spark plug wires. No, you can use the same ones you have, but know that as voltage goes up electricity will be looking for the nearest ground to escape to. Put a set of high performance spiro-core plug wires on your wish list.

Yes, you can use the Flamethrower coil with a points distributor. You may need to replace points more often. Open up the plug gap to about .040" to take advantage of the hotter coil.

Adios, David

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks

 

[LaGrasta]

Use the Pertronix! It will make such a difference the moment you turn the key. I hesitated for the same reason. To this day, the car is noticable different. It's instant spark; instant on and off.

 

[Anonymous]

Changing your distributor to a dual advance distributor has nothing to do with creating a bigger spark. It, if properly tuned, just is much more accurate as to when the spark should be delivered.

Adding an aftermarket, high powered ignition coil would make better spark plug wires more useful. If you are running your stock coil with aftermarket high power wires its overkill. You can run a aftermarket coil with stock wires and it probably will run just fine, but if you really have your original wires from the 60's I assume then yeah you might wanna upgrade em.

I am so tired of everyone saying Pertronics is the most marvelous thing ever. I have an Ignitor II installed in my car and I don't have any problems with it, but I didnt have any problems with my points either. Having an old car necessitates performing regular maintenance from time to time and maybe changing your points should be part of that maintenance. The points never caused me any problems and I didn't experience any great performance increases with the Ignitor II. It is reliable and does what it does just fine, so I can't detract from it, but the people who say it gave them an extra 50 HP are ridiculous.

-Dan in Atlanta

 

[cdherman]

FWIW, there are 2 types of Flamethrower coils out there there days. The hotter, FT II coil will NOT work with stock points. I believe it will burn them up, but it could be some other problem too.

I am curious, may someone can tell me, and hope this is not too off topic: What happens if I do not open the gap up on my plugs after upgrading to Ignitor II and FT II setup? Noticable performance loss? Burns the plugs out? Just curious. I am not done completely tuning the carb yet, and I intend to replace the plug shortly anyhow, so I have not re-gaped them since upgrading to Pertronix system.

Thanks

 

[addo]

Regapping will just give you slightly better performance and economy. Perhaps some of the reasons you fitted the Ptx? Nothing catastrophic, no visits from the Gap Police or anything...

Cheers, Adam.

 

[Lazy JW]

FWIW, there are 2 types of Flamethrower coils out there there days. The hotter, FT II coil will NOT work with stock points. I believe it will burn them up, but it could be some other problem too.

I am curious, may someone can tell me, and hope this is not too off topic: What happens if I do not open the gap up on my plugs after upgrading to Ignitor II and FT II setup? Noticable performance loss? Burns the plugs out? Just curious. I am not done completely tuning the carb yet, and I intend to replace the plug shortly anyhow, so I have not re-gaped them since upgrading to Pertronix system.

Thanks

The voltage level for each spark generated only builds up far enough for the spark to jump the gap. When it reaches this level, it discharges to ground (sparks). A wider gap means that a higher voltage will be needed to jump the gap. Higher voltage is a good thing, as long as the coil can deliver it, and also as long as the wiring, etc. can contain it. Higher voltage also means that it is easier for the spark to go to the wrong place (misfire)
A high powered ignition system using stock gaps may just as well have a stock ignition for all the good it does.
Joe

 

[cdherman]

Thanks for the plug gap info. That's pretty much what I thought, in general terms. Once I get timing and carburation issues hammered out, will put in new plugs and gap them properly.

 

[Anonymous]

I've been following this thread and have a question.

I installed a Pertronix I, and a Flamethrower Coil. Then I opened my plug gap to ".050". My car is running great, but it idles a little rough. I was going to adjust my carb, but any chance this could be related to the plug gap being to wide? Seems like it appeared when I regapped the plugs.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Lazy JW]

Your engine very likely will idle smoother with a smaller plug gap. Try it and see.
Joe