Pertronix ignition

[blownford]

Anyone running a Pertronix 1285SP6 conversion kit on a 6 volt positive ground system?
59 AB with crab style stock distributor.


Any thoughts or suggestions?

[TJ]

I would stay with the point style ignition. If you ever have trouble on the road it's much easier to repair than trying to find a parts store that would carry your particular module.

[nelsb01]

Ditto to TJ.
Installing a kit is to the benefit of U-Haul.

Don't ask me how I know.

[Fritz]

For me, using new points, condensers, and coils are contributions to uhaul trailers and tow trucks.

I have been using your exact part number Pertronix unit on a 6v positive ground crab distributor for the last 10 years. If you install it as Pertronix says and use the coil they pair with that unit, you will have flawless ignition, as I have.

People will come out of the woodwork here to discourage electronic ignitions. Points are fine if you can find NOS parts and the right people to rebuild a pricey condenser and coil. But I can only assume user some error or uncommon defect when they say they couldn’t get Pertronix or Stromberg E-Fires to work. Pertronix is the reason I’m able to drive my flathead. They have excellent customer service as well, if for some reason something isn’t working.

[Tim Ayers]

I use it with a 12V system with a generator converted to 12V and I have not had any issues. Follow the instructions to the letter and you shouldn't either.

[Ronnieroadster]

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Been using Pertronix ignition parts for a few decades now with great success. Two cross country trips with the family Deuce roadster powered by a supercharged ARDUN at thsi point I have over 100,000 miles on my Deuce.

Adding to the reliability of the Pertronix ignition conversions we currently have set several land speed records at Bonneville every engine Ford flathead based blocks the records we hold are all over 200 MPH using 1950 Ford blocks and proven ignition components.

The Pertronix design is simply a hall effect switch triggered by a magnet or a metal tab crossing the face of the module at a pre set air gap.. This same designed hall effect system has been used in many Ford, Jeep, AMC and other major manufacturer's cars and trucks for decades with excellent reliability.

Follow the Pertronix instructions and you will have great results.

There's nothing wrong with points and condenser's they of course will work BUT
anyone today buying points and condenser's you are purchasing poorly made off shore items thus you will need a tow truck eventually! If you desire to use points and condensers I would suggest finding NOS USA made parts.
Ronnieroadster

[Kube]

Originally Posted by blownford

Anyone running a Pertronix 1285SP6 conversion kit on a 6 volt positive ground system?
59 AB with crab style stock distributor.


Any thoughts or suggestions?

Yes, I have a suggestion: DON'T DO IT.

[wga]

Along with Ronnie and Fritz, another fan of Pertronix. Ran it for years on a stock 8BA. As mentioned used it with their coil. Now using a Mallory dual point that Bubba dialed in for me, along with a Vertex condenser. Follow the directions!

[solidaxle]

I have had good results with my 6 volt positive ground Pertronix on an 8BA cut down Chevy distributor. I have never had to adjust points on an earlier crab type distributor, but it looks like a real PITA trying to reach in there to do the job. That alone would have me switch.
I wounder if people have problems because they don't follow the instructions.
-No solid wires.
-Don't pull the plug wires when running to check spark.
-Also I would not electric weld anything on the car.


I carry a extra coil, spare points and condenser just in case, but I would have them on hand regardless if I ran Pertronix or points.

[blownford]

Ha, seems to be differing opinions !


Ronnieroadster, your reply reminded me of a friend of mine. I ran a parts store for over 25 years in So Cal. One of my customers and a dear friend was Mike Morrison. His family ran a Duece roadster at Bonneville. Mike would send me updates and photos when they were running the car. I still have a baggie of salt Mike scraped off the car, it's marked "200 MPH Salt".


Last I heard, the car was in a museum.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by blownford

Ha, seems to be differing opinions !


Ronnieroadster, your reply reminded me of a friend of mine. I ran a parts store for over 25 years in So Cal. One of my customers and a dear friend was Mike Morrison. His family ran a Duece roadster at Bonneville. Mike would send me updates and photos when they were running the car. I still have a baggie of salt Mike scraped off the car, it's marked "200 MPH Salt".


Last I heard, the car was in a museum.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by blownford

Ha, seems to be differing opinions !


Ronnieroadster, your reply reminded me of a friend of mine. I ran a parts store for over 25 years in So Cal. One of my customers and a dear friend was Mike Morrison. His family ran a Duece roadster at Bonneville. Mike would send me updates and photos when they were running the car. I still have a baggie of salt Mike scraped off the car, it's marked "200 MPH Salt".


Last I heard, the car was in a museum.

Great story and car seeing all that white salt gives me goose bumps being on the salt is an amazing experience.

With our five main bearing ARDUN and modified 8BA Ford block in the race car I set the record at 216 MPH my qualifying speed was 223 MPH held my breath on that run. We currently hold the ARDUN record at 225.
Pertronix equiped igntion I might add

[fordor41]

I've used Pertronix for yrs. great customer service. So some folks have had trouble with Pertronix. Name a product that no one has had problems with. Like some said, try to buy points or condenser in a parts store. lots of luck. Of course points are great if the car sits in a garage for a week and it gets taken to a cruise-in 5 miles away. I'll attest to the operation of Pertronix. about 200K miles visiting 18 states east of Mississippi river!

[Seabees]

Biggest issue with electronic ignition is GROUNDING!! They will be intermittent without a good ground. It'll drive you crazy until you get it right, then it's wonderful! I've had 3 units in place for 10+ years. No problems. And yes, get the correct coil and after all else fails, follow the instructions!

[Mart]

I'm a points guy but don't have my head in the sand. People have mentioned a few things that need to be in place for the Pertronics to work.
Right coil.
Not solid wires.
Good grounds.

Is it also necessary to run an alternator? Is the Pertronics unit ok with generator and vibrating contact voltage regulator? Can it cope with the dirty spikey voltage?

I ran a pertronics for a while in conjunction with an Amethyst unit. The car developed a misfire after not running for 6 months and I removed both units and went back to points. I have never investigated to see whether it was the Pertronics or the Amethyst unit that was problematical.

[solidaxle]

Mart


I run a generator with Pertronix ignition and there is no issue.

The only issue I ever had, I left the head lights on and ran down the battery, it would not start while trying to roll start it.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by solidaxle

Mart


I run a generator with Pertronix ignition and there is no issue.

The only issue I ever had, I left the head lights on and ran down the battery, it would not start while trying to roll start it.

Same. I run a generator with no issues.

[Fritz]

I’ll add another success story with an original Ford 6v generator.

[40coe]

I heard about the Pertronix systems many years ago. I have an old skid steer with a Renault 4 cylinder. The price of points cap and rotor was crazy. So I looked into the Pertronix and they actually had listed my distributor for the Renault 4 cylinder. I think it was comparable in price to the points, cap rotor.

I know it is not an old Ford but if the Pertronix can hold up to the environment and abuse of a skid steer, well it has my recommendation. Been working for 10 years. Make sure you match the coil that they recommend.

[fordor41]

Originally Posted by Mart

I'm a points guy but don't have my head in the sand. People have mentioned a few things that need to be in place for the Pertronics to work.
Right coil.
Not solid wires.
Good grounds.

Is it also necessary to run an alternator? Is the Pertronics unit ok with generator and vibrating contact voltage regulator? Can it cope with the dirty spikey voltage?

I ran a pertronics for a while in conjunction with an Amethyst unit. The car developed a misfire after not running for 6 months and I removed both units and went back to points. I have never investigated to see whether it was the Pertronics or the Amethyst unit that was problematical.

"right coil", I used pertronixs for yrs with a coil from a junkyard. was from some sort of Ford truck that worked with my point system. Used that coil with a pertronix for yrs until the coil went belly up