The Ford Barn

Viroid · 11-24-2015, 03:31 PM

Is there such a thing as electronic ignition for a 39 6 volt?
Do I have to convert to 12 volt?

petehoovie · 11-24-2015, 05:44 PM

Why would you want an electronic ignition system as opposed to the original???

koates · 11-24-2015, 06:13 PM

Hi there. The simple answer to your first question is NO. Converting to 12 volt system requires many items to be changed or modified as in, all bulbs, generator and regulator, ignition system, instruments, horns, wiper motor if electric. Starter motor might survive OK on 12 volts. Why would you want to change a good 6 volt system. Just fix whats wrong with it if there is a problem. Give us more information on your project. Regards, Kevin.

mrtexas · 11-24-2015, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viroid

Is there such a thing as electronic ignition for a 39 6 volt?
Do I have to convert to 12 volt?

Yes you can get pertronix for 39 6v system

RKS.PA · 11-24-2015, 07:22 PM

I recently went through this thought process with my '39. About 20 years ago I replaced my "helmet" dist. with a Mallory dual point with a three bolt attachment. Great dist. and I could set the timing with my induction light by rotating the dist. Finally the front bearing in the Mallory wore out the the point gap and dwell was all over the place.

I posted my problem here on the Barn a few months ago, and got a wonderful education on dizzys and coils. I converted to a '41--'42 crab. It's a two bolt and I had to buy an adapter plate from Speedway. I also had to make a vacuum line because the stock one didn't mate with my Offy intake manifold....no big deal.

Bottom line, this is a wonderful dist. and my 59AB runs better now than it every did even when the Mallory was new.

I investigated the 6 volt electronic with all the discussion about coils and non-solid ignition wires and couldn't see any advantage. You'll read lots of pros and cons here and my experience says go with the dual point, mechanical advance with the vacuum brake. You won't be disappointed.

Dick.

39wagon · 11-25-2015, 12:12 AM

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As I understand it, coils are 6 volts to the distributor. At least that what I was told by the Pertronix people. Anyway you can use an electronic ignition unit in a "helmet" style distributor. To my knowledge nobody makes a kit but you can do it yourself. I used a Pertronix module in my '39 dizzy and it works fine. Unfortunately being new to these types of systems, I foolishly left the ignition on while I was chasing a lighting prob and fried the original coil (which had been concerted to 12 volts) so I used a modern coil (without an internal resistor) with adapter. I'll go back to a rebuilt gennie coil as funds permit. But in short, yeah, you can do it.

11-24-2015, 03:31 PM	#1
Viroid Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 6	39 ignition Is there such a thing as electronic ignition for a 39 6 volt? Do I have to convert to 12 volt?

11-24-2015, 05:44 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,081	Re: 39 ignition Why would you want an electronic ignition system as opposed to the original??? __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

11-24-2015, 06:13 PM	#3
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: 39 ignition Hi there. The simple answer to your first question is NO. Converting to 12 volt system requires many items to be changed or modified as in, all bulbs, generator and regulator, ignition system, instruments, horns, wiper motor if electric. Starter motor might survive OK on 12 volts. Why would you want to change a good 6 volt system. Just fix whats wrong with it if there is a problem. Give us more information on your project. Regards, Kevin.

11-24-2015, 07:22 PM	#5
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: 39 ignition I recently went through this thought process with my '39. About 20 years ago I replaced my "helmet" dist. with a Mallory dual point with a three bolt attachment. Great dist. and I could set the timing with my induction light by rotating the dist. Finally the front bearing in the Mallory wore out the the point gap and dwell was all over the place. I posted my problem here on the Barn a few months ago, and got a wonderful education on dizzys and coils. I converted to a '41--'42 crab. It's a two bolt and I had to buy an adapter plate from Speedway. I also had to make a vacuum line because the stock one didn't mate with my Offy intake manifold....no big deal. Bottom line, this is a wonderful dist. and my 59AB runs better now than it every did even when the Mallory was new. I investigated the 6 volt electronic with all the discussion about coils and non-solid ignition wires and couldn't see any advantage. You'll read lots of pros and cons here and my experience says go with the dual point, mechanical advance with the vacuum brake. You won't be disappointed. Dick.

11-25-2015, 12:12 AM	#6
39wagon Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 21	Re: 39 ignition Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As I understand it, coils are 6 volts to the distributor. At least that what I was told by the Pertronix people. Anyway you can use an electronic ignition unit in a "helmet" style distributor. To my knowledge nobody makes a kit but you can do it yourself. I used a Pertronix module in my '39 dizzy and it works fine. Unfortunately being new to these types of systems, I foolishly left the ignition on while I was chasing a lighting prob and fried the original coil (which had been concerted to 12 volts) so I used a modern coil (without an internal resistor) with adapter. I'll go back to a rebuilt gennie coil as funds permit. But in short, yeah, you can do it. Last edited by 39wagon; 11-25-2015 at 11:50 AM.