I have run a Pertronix ignitor since roughly 1985, a buddy of mine used to work at the school bus garage and when they were still running gasoline buses,they switched them all to pertronix,i got one from a bus that was headed for the bone yard,anyhow i'm still running that same ignitor in my 70 F100,now i want one for my Falcon 6,and i was thinking about the ignitor 2,but i read a post in here that there is a problem with the ignitor 2,but Pertronix keeps selling them anyways,whats the problem? should i just get the 'original'?
ignitor 2
- Thread starter chicken
- Start date
I really suggest you get neither the original nor the II.
If you have machine shop contacts, there is a fairly simple way about the deal. Buy an oil pump and shaft for a 1966 Mustang 200. Buy a rebuilt Duraspark II distributor and control box (try to get a 49 state control box).
Dismantle the distributor and reduce the shaft diameter below the gear, to match the original. It's about 40 thou less. Reassemble and make sure you have the correct springs/weights in it. Many rebuilts are incorrectly curved! :x
Install the oil pump, dizzy and drive shaft; hook the vac advance to manifold. Plug the carb vacuum port. Not everybody likes this but it does work decently from my experience. Regap the plugs, fit new 8mm leads and enjoy the performance.
Regards, Adam.
If you have machine shop contacts, there is a fairly simple way about the deal. Buy an oil pump and shaft for a 1966 Mustang 200. Buy a rebuilt Duraspark II distributor and control box (try to get a 49 state control box).
Dismantle the distributor and reduce the shaft diameter below the gear, to match the original. It's about 40 thou less. Reassemble and make sure you have the correct springs/weights in it. Many rebuilts are incorrectly curved! :x
Install the oil pump, dizzy and drive shaft; hook the vac advance to manifold. Plug the carb vacuum port. Not everybody likes this but it does work decently from my experience. Regap the plugs, fit new 8mm leads and enjoy the performance.
Regards, Adam.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Hijacking.
Addo, why not the Pertronix? Is it more to it than the advantage in using 8mm leads with the Duraspark? Asking since i've got a pertronix system on the way...
Addo, why not the Pertronix? Is it more to it than the advantage in using 8mm leads with the Duraspark? Asking since i've got a pertronix system on the way...
I'd rather keep the oem distributor,because should my 20yr old ignitor fail while i'm on the highway,i can still take it out and put points back in to 'get home' I'm not sure why i would use a duraspark distributor,i know they are reliable,but whats the advantage over a pertronix? can i get more 'juice' or volts? i'm not being sarcastic,i just have never used one in any of my vehicles,
I'll try to answer 2 posts in one. 
As a qualified tradesman, I had to swear an oath of lifetime hate for DIY products.
They suck the consumer's money; often overpriced with dubious knowledge behind a warranty. Look at concrete - how much do you pay for a cubic yard from a truck, opposed to buying 120 × dry-mix bags at Home Depot?
The Pertronix is squarely aimed at the DIY market. Priced right, simple to install, wide range of applications. Some problems:
We have noted one model (not sure if I or II) did not fit some breaker plates. That was after the purchaser bought the exact number part recommended by maker's literature.
The insulating tape is wound the wrong way for our six cylinder distributors. If the end comes loose, it reels off. It is a simple fix on the production line and I don't believe the factory is on top of it yet.
Pertronix Ignitor I has a noted problem of risking burnout if ignition left on, motor not running. It's one of the reasons the II version is made.
The Pertronix Ignitor II has noted occurrences (on this board) of poorer performance than points, when installed in accordance with factory directions. WSA III suggested that it could fail just in the most dangerous time possible, like turning across oncoming traffic.
Both the ignitor I and II rely on the mechanical aspects of an old distributor. You are only as strong as the weakest link. The vacuum only Loadomatic distributor is difficult to tune on a non-standard motor, or even a worn standard motor. A Pertronix will not fix the inherent poor performance of the factory part in these cases.
The dual advance distributors wear and deteriorate with age. In addition, many are rebuilt with the wrong internals - again, documented this site. So - what will a Pertronix do to improve the basic flaws in this situation? Not a lot.
The Duraspark is a better distributor setup because it inherently has a higher output than the standard points systems. It is also most suitable of the US Ford six distributors for adding a control box such as the MSD 6A or Crane Hi-6.
I often see this argument about "What if the car breaks down on the side of the road?". Well, my retort is there are plenty of things that can go wrong; why not prepare for them all - or better still, tow a trailer with a spare car on it so you have every part available. Seriously, the Duraspark system is well-proven and more fault-free than points. Certainly less problematic than Pertronix.
A final roundout. In my opinion, the '85-87 Aussie distributor is better than the DSII but it will not fit later US motors without modding. That takes it well out of price contention. The closest American setup is Duraspark II, GENUINE GM module, TFI coil. It requires a little work to install but the reports on its function are extremely positive.
Regards, Adam.
As a qualified tradesman, I had to swear an oath of lifetime hate for DIY products.
They suck the consumer's money; often overpriced with dubious knowledge behind a warranty. Look at concrete - how much do you pay for a cubic yard from a truck, opposed to buying 120 × dry-mix bags at Home Depot?The Pertronix is squarely aimed at the DIY market. Priced right, simple to install, wide range of applications. Some problems:
We have noted one model (not sure if I or II) did not fit some breaker plates. That was after the purchaser bought the exact number part recommended by maker's literature.
The insulating tape is wound the wrong way for our six cylinder distributors. If the end comes loose, it reels off. It is a simple fix on the production line and I don't believe the factory is on top of it yet.
Pertronix Ignitor I has a noted problem of risking burnout if ignition left on, motor not running. It's one of the reasons the II version is made.
The Pertronix Ignitor II has noted occurrences (on this board) of poorer performance than points, when installed in accordance with factory directions. WSA III suggested that it could fail just in the most dangerous time possible, like turning across oncoming traffic.
Both the ignitor I and II rely on the mechanical aspects of an old distributor. You are only as strong as the weakest link. The vacuum only Loadomatic distributor is difficult to tune on a non-standard motor, or even a worn standard motor. A Pertronix will not fix the inherent poor performance of the factory part in these cases.
The dual advance distributors wear and deteriorate with age. In addition, many are rebuilt with the wrong internals - again, documented this site. So - what will a Pertronix do to improve the basic flaws in this situation? Not a lot.
The Duraspark is a better distributor setup because it inherently has a higher output than the standard points systems. It is also most suitable of the US Ford six distributors for adding a control box such as the MSD 6A or Crane Hi-6.
I often see this argument about "What if the car breaks down on the side of the road?". Well, my retort is there are plenty of things that can go wrong; why not prepare for them all - or better still, tow a trailer with a spare car on it so you have every part available. Seriously, the Duraspark system is well-proven and more fault-free than points. Certainly less problematic than Pertronix.
A final roundout. In my opinion, the '85-87 Aussie distributor is better than the DSII but it will not fit later US motors without modding. That takes it well out of price contention. The closest American setup is Duraspark II, GENUINE GM module, TFI coil. It requires a little work to install but the reports on its function are extremely positive.
Regards, Adam.
Junk-Falcon
Well-known member
i have
A trailer to carry spares? i just put a spare fuel pump,coil,points,alternator,and starter and tool box into a cubbyhole that i built under the rear floor of the wagon, pull the carpet out of the back pull the lid off reach in and get what you need, you cant see it unless you are under the car it's placed forward of the gas tank,it works good. but i'm still going to take a look at a Duraspark,i'll just carry a spare computer
I am using the Duraspark2 w/ GM HEI module and a Ford TFI coil. Works great! Check out www.gofastforless.com for more info.
Joe
Joe
A
Anonymous
Guest
I have actually had my Pertronix Ignitor II kill the car during a left turn through oncoming traffic. Inertia was the only thing that saved me.
-Dan in Atlanta
-Dan in Atlanta
I decided to follow your advice addo,i went and picked up a used Dizzy and computer at the junkyard i also got a spare computer cost me '0' the guy said take it out and it's yours yeehaa! free parts! if it works out and i like it,i will buy a rebuilt distributor and wires etc.
