Question about the Pertronics Ignition

P

Positively Ralf

Well-known member
I know in the tech articles the gains are not covered cause the guys who run the site feel they don't really need to talk about it much. Is the reason they don't speak about this ignition setup because it has the same gains as the Duraspark setups or does the Pertronics ignition have less gains compared to the other ignition upgrades?

Also, is the Pertronics ignition only available through their site? And is the installation as easy for someone who is not mechanically sound?

Cheers!
 
They are available just about anywhere that sells engine parts. I believe even places like Jegs and Summit stock them for the more popular applications. The other big ignition brands also have similar systems so some stores carry those instead.

The gains as far as spark quality should be similar. What you gain with a duraspark is they are a bit easier to recurve.

Either in Electronics or Gasoline Alley I fairly recently posted a link to a site that shows how to use a GM module to trigger from points. That in theory gives you the hotter spark and lower maintainance with the ability to quickly switch back to the points if you needed to. I have them on my golf carts and a friends tractor so far and they work great.
 
Thanks for the reply. btw, which is the right product for the 200? I went to the pertronix site and there are actually a lot of choices for these engines.
 
Ralf,
Go to www.gofastforless.com for some good, educational reading about basic ignition upgrades. Even if you choose to not use any of his methods you will have a better understanding of what goes on, and he writes in easy to read language.

At its most basic, the Pertronix does nothing but replace the points. So long as you use the stock coil, it will only give stock performance and the only thing you have gained is eliminating breaker point maintenance. Some folks think this is worthwhile, some do not.

However, eliminating the points DOES allow one to use a hotter coil and bigger plug gaps. Then, and only then, will there be a meaningful performance upgrade, and THAT is indeed worthwhile.
Joe
 
Howdy Back:

In addition to what has already been posted, know that the big difference between the post-'68 distributors of both point and electronic type as compared to '67 and earlier Load-O-Matic distributors is the addition of centrifugal, or mechanical advance, and a more typical vacuum advance system. The LoM distributors were limited to a load sensitive signal provided by the Spark Control Valve (SCV) in the carb. The later distributors are designed for a ported vacuum signal from the carb. The '68 point type distributors benefited from a Petronix conversion, while the Dura Spark pointless distributors were introduced during the '73 model year, followed closely by the Dura Spark II system, with a larger cap and spark plug wires.

So, yes, a Petronix Ignitor conversion in a LoM distributor will give you a better idle, easier starting and possibly more performance, depending on the condition of the points it replaced. It will not make up for the advantages of a mechanical spark advance provided by the centrifugal advance system. If you have a '65 and later block, the best upgrade is to convert to a '68 and later distributor and compatible carb. Then add an Ignitor or any of the other pointless ignitions.

Adios, David
 
Thanks for the replies. I have seen that site GoFastForless and yes, it is very informative. As for the block in the car, it is one that came originally in my 74 Maverick so I'm pretty sure I do not have the LoM in there since like you said, they were phased out somewhere in the late 60s.

Cheers!
 
Howdy Back Ralf:

My bad. Yes, your '74 Maverick a 50/50 chance of possibly already being a pointless distributor- the first generation of Dura Spark. Have you looked to see if it has points? If not, then you have a Dura Spark with a small cap and plug wires and have no need for a Petronix conversion. IF your distriutor does has breaker points, it would be a good candidate for a Pertronix conversion. The advantages have already been listed.

Even without a conversion, assuming your ignition is in good shape, consider opening the spark plug gaps to .040" to .045" range, and increasing the initial advance by 5 degrees over stock specs and enjoy. Set you Carter YF carb low speed air screw for maximum vacuum and enjoy more.

Adios, David
 
8) in the end the biggest advantages to upgrading to an electronic ignition, regardless of which one you choose, is better starting, smoother engine performance, and less maintenance. depending on how bad the old ignition system was you can get back to where the stock ignition in good shape would have been. in my opinion the upgrade is worth the effort and the money. although i would suggest staying away from the high dollar ignitions, like the MSD and others unless you are looking to make a lot of power. the one exception would be the DUI ignition classic inlines sells, as they are easier to adjust the advance curve, and you eliminate the external coil and some wiring.
 
CZLN6":10o7jqpb said:
Howdy Back Ralf:

My bad. Yes, your '74 Maverick a 50/50 chance of possibly already being a pointless distributor- the first generation of Dura Spark. Have you looked to see if it has points? If not, then you have a Dura Spark with a small cap and plug wires and have no need for a Petronix conversion. IF your distriutor does has breaker points, it would be a good candidate for a Pertronix conversion. The advantages have already been listed.

Even without a conversion, assuming your ignition is in good shape, consider opening the spark plug gaps to .040" to .045" range, and increasing the initial advance by 5 degrees over stock specs and enjoy. Set you Carter YF carb low speed air screw for maximum vacuum and enjoy more.

Adios, David
Click to expand...

You know, tomorrow I'm going to go and try to get a pic of the distributor. I'm only assuming it has points because the car was a bare bones stock car and IIRC, the DS was an option on the 74 Maverick.

Don't really know how to do the increased timing degrees and opening the gaps since I'm fairly new to mechanics. This is my first car and don't wish to do something dumb to it without knowing what tools to use. But thanks for the advice and it will be something I will be looking into.

Cheers!
 
If its points there will be a single wire from the dizzy to the coil. If its a pertronix sort of thing there will be 2 wires to the coil. If its a duraspark there will be 3 wires that go to a control box and then to the coil. All but the earliest boxes were about 3"x5" and finned.
 
Howdy Back Ralf:

You couldn't have chosen a better car and engine to begin to learn on. I'd strongly suggest that you invest in a Shop Manual for your vehicle. It will not only help you understand what you have and how it functions, but will also help with how to and what tools are needed. A Shop manual is different than the Chilton or Haynes service manuals in that it is more detailed and exact. The Chilton and Haynes manuals may be avaiable at your local chain parts store. You'll likely have to send for a Shop Manual.

The other thing that I'd recommend to you is to find a support person/friend who is knowledgeable aabout cars with carbs and distributors. That is getting harder to do. See if he is willing to help you change your spark plugs for the 1st time.

Tell us more about your Maverick. Mileage? Trans? Doors? There are a bunch of Maverick/Comet folks on here who love to talk the talk.

But first post back on what you are working with.

Adios, David
 
I will be more categorical than the other guys. I installed the Ptx II with a Flamethrower coil. The coil requires 12 volts so there is a little more tinkering but it is entirely manageable. The first thing I saw was that the car starts right up, very quickly. It revs faster and and actually has improved fuel economy.

A points ignition, according to David Vizard, can have up to 15% misfires. The electronic ignition with a fat spark and higher voltage from the coil burns nearly all the gas in the cylinder so there is a significant gain right there. It was sufficiently higher that I had to dial the idle way back.

I have never had a problem with my Ptx II. Some guys will claim that the Ptx I is more dependable. But I am sold on mine.

Duraspark has the advantage of being all Ford. You can fiddle with it more, like recurving and such. You can add other ignitor boxes. I would say that is step 2 for a novice.

It is very easy to install a Pertronix unit. Hit the search button for the latest discussion. I posted a couple of diagrams and instructions. Note however that it WILL take more than the 20 minutes they advertise. You may have to fiddle with the timing a bit but this is also only a matter of one screw and turning the distributor one way or the other.

Fear not. You can do it.
 
Those first 3 pix are tiny. Cant tell what that is by the solenoid. The vacuum advance looks newer than a load o and its dual which also was not an option with the load o mattic. Looks like a points dizzy though because of the clip on cap. The DS1 had a screw on cap but otherwise looked like that. The DS2 is much larger diameter clip on and has male terminals like a spark plug.
 
fordconvert":99ffi7cu said:
Those first 3 pix are tiny. Cant tell what that is by the solenoid. The vacuum advance looks newer than a load o and its dual which also was not an option with the load o mattic. Looks like a points dizzy though because of the clip on cap. The DS1 had a screw on cap but otherwise looked like that. The DS2 is much larger diameter clip on and has male terminals like a spark plug.
Click to expand...

It's weird cause it comes out bigger on my Facebook profile. Let me put up those links instead.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=103072&id=1706120883
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=103073&id=1706120883
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=103074&id=1706120883

That should do it. Cheers!
 
Its asking for a log in. The last one of the 4 came out alright. Did you upload them all at the same rate? They look like thumbnails (but you cant click on them) or maybe avatars.
 
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