pertronix upgrade question. . .

[Anonymous]

I was considering upgrading the stock ignition on my 64' comet , but had a few general questions I thought I could run by someone w/ firsthand experience. . . I'm considering a pertronix ignitor II w/ flame thrower coil, would the added voltage put too much load on my stock generator? how do I tell if I need a hollow shaft or a solid shaft unit w/ out pulling my current dist. (I'm not lazy, just busy. . . . honest!). Is there anything I should be on the lookout or prepared for during/ after install. and most of all, are the benefits really worth the hassle. The black bombers got a stock 67' 200 in it currently, and gets me to work everyday, what do ya think

 

[wsa111]

Toby, go with the pertronix I. Pertronix has had many problems with the II.
The problems with the II are stalling at idle.
make sure you have a full 12 volts to the coil even on the pertronix I.
I know many may disagree about the II unit, but from past experience this is a piece of junk. It reminds me of medical adds about these miricle drugs. take this medication & lower your colesterol but you have the chance of liver damage.
If any doctors are reading this, remember, you bury your mistakes & in the automotive repair business we have to live with it.
Good luck with your ignition upgrades. The pertronix I is a fine addition over the old point & condensor system. William

 

[CobraSix]

I also agree with wsa...from what I've heard P2 is not the best thing they have ever produced.

Can't help on the shaft.

The added voltage from the coil will not significantly effect the power requirements of the car. It generally draws the same amperage, they just increase the capacitance to get more voltage out of it.

Slade

 

[ski4evr]

I have the Pertronix II and Flamethrower II coil. My setup is working great. I have not experienced any issues. If any, I was able to set my rpm lower than ever - so I had to really tweek my carb and make sure the idle circuit was super clean to run smooth at the new lower rpm. I have my idle at 700 rpm in park and 500 in drive.

Before going the route of the Pertronix, I switched my generator to an alternator. The main reason for the switch was not the pertronix, but the dimming headlights when coming to a stop. The generators are rated @ 20 amps / 14.5 volts. With my experience, that only happens above ~1500 rpm. Generators are not too hot @ maintaining voltage at the low rpms. That being said, I figured a good time to change was prior to upgrading the ignition system. http://www.falconparts.com has a great way to do the generator to alternator upgrade - cheap. They sell the bracket and a one-wire conversion regulator that allows you to keep your Gen/Alt light on the dash functioning.

ski

 

[cfmustang]

You don't need to remove the distributor to check if you have the hollow shaft or solid shaft. All you need to do is pop the distributor cap and take off the rotor. The rotor is sitting on the top of the shaft so you can see that way.

If it looks like a "C", it is the hollow shaft. If it looks like a solid "D" (meaning it is solid with one flat side) it is the other.