Problems with Pertronix Ignitor III distributor? Suggestions?

[Deleted member 214]

The shop that built my motor told me last spring that my factory distributor was shot. They recommended the Pertonix plug and play distributor Pertronix III D7143710. When I picked up the car they said they tried and tried and couldn't get one to work well at higher RPMS. I ran a points distributor over the summer and took it back for its first oil change and checkout. They had it two weeks. When I picked it up, they said they still couldn't get any of the Pertronix units to work right and instead put a Top Street Performance ready to run unit in.

Anybody run the Pertronix distributor? Anybody have troubles?

The Top Street unit http://www.ebay.com/itm/DODGE-PLYMOUTH-440-426-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-6714-R-/330838285250? is on eBay for $55. I'm not thrilled with the Top Street unit - how good can it be for $55? Anybody running a TSP JM6714R?

I have a 5-speed and want a rev limiter. Possible combos - factory distributor and a Rev-n-ator box, factory distributor and an external box like the Summit or MSD unit, buy my own Pertronix and slap it in or ????? What suggestions do you have for a good street ignition?

 

[themechanic]

Try Firecore50.

 

[gearhead 101]

I have a petronix. .oly problem i had was the control module in the ignition. Went bad early .but it was under warranty.....other than that its a gd distributior....they say the street fire by msd is gd for stock to mild set-ups...hope this helps....

 

[Darter6]

Don't know if it was done or not, but you have to run the correct coil to match the distriubtor.Also I think you have to by-pass the ballist resistor with the Petronix II and III. Just a thought.

 

[dieseldazzle]

I had the same issue with my camaro and I ended up having to run the petronix coil to keep from having issues to include the module frying once.

Summit took care of it everytime even tho it wasnt their bad fyi.

I ran the ignitor 3

 

[Deleted member 214]

Try Firecore50.

Rick Gorski is a friend of mine. The guy who builds his wires spotted me on the way home from the shop and we talked about the car. Yes, that is on my list, but it doesn't have a rev limiter.

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I have a petronix. .oly problem i had was the control module in the ignition. Went bad early .but it was under warranty.....other than that its a gd distributior....they say the street fire by msd is gd for stock to mild set-ups...hope this helps....

The only one MSD makes for a Mopar 440 is the Pro-Billet at over $400. The Street Fire is half that price but they are only for small block Chevys and Fords :-(

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Don't know if it was done or not, but you have to run the correct coil to match the distriubtor.Also I think you have to by-pass the ballist resistor with the Petronix II and III. Just a thought.

Resistor passed. I have a Jacobs coil and it is supposed to be compatible, according to the shop. I'll check with Pertronix, though. Thanks for the tip!

 

[1967coronet]

On the coil ... its something to do with the ohms. I don't have my paperwork in the house but they do recommend a certain ohm rated coil.

I bought and installed a pertronix set in my Chrysler distributor using their { pertronix } flame thrower coil.
3 yrs now no problems.

 

[ArtH]

On the coil ... its something to do with the ohms. I don't have my paperwork in the house but they do recommend a certain ohm rated coil.

I bought and installed a pertronix set in my Chrysler distributor using their { pertronix } flame thrower coil.
3 yrs now no problems.

I have a Pertronix I in my 1972 Lincoln Mk IV. It's a points to electronic conversion unit that uses the OEM distributor by removing the points and installing the Pertronix trigger and control unit. You must use battery voltage, no ballast resistor or in the case of Ford, resistor wire. I used a relay that connects to positive side of the battery. I used the Flame Thrower coil they recommend and have never had a problem with it. I have had this set up in place over 10 years but I don't drive the car much either. You get a stronger spark and can open up the gap on your plugs a bit - I went to .040 but could probably go to .045. The only thing you have to remember is that you cannot leave the ignition on for over 30 seconds if the engine is not running. It will burn out the unit. My understanding is the newer versions, Pertronix II and III have fixed this problem. I also used one their distributors in my 77 Cordoba along with their Flame Thrower coil. The only issue there was the upper housing of the distributor gets up against the inside front corner of the cylinder head (400 CID engine) and the distributor could not be fully seated never mind even trying to turn it to set timing. This required grinding a small amount of material from that part of the head. I used an electric drill and a grinding stone attachment. It was about 30 minutes of trial and error until I got enough clearance for distributor to drop in and allow it to move for setting the timing. Most of what was ground off the head was casting flange. Removing this didn't damage the head. Just go slowly and and put a rag in the hole to prevent shavings from the grinding from getting in your engine. Use a shop vac to suck up all the lose shavings.

I have heard people claim they are no good and will burn out etc, but my own experiences have been fine. I do recommend using one of their coils which are 1.5 ohms and 3.0 ohms depending on the application. You can check with on line by telling them what exactly you are want to do. YMMV