Would y'all recommend the Petronix ignitior ?

[SCHRUMGMC]

I am deciding to possibly go with the Petronix ignition but I wanted some opinions before I acted on something

6 cylinder

[_Ogre]

all i see are a pile of positives and no negatives in going to pertronix
my son has had the same set in his elcamino for the past 14 years and 3 motors
get the basic pertronix ignitor not the new and improved II and III versions

[Speedbumpauto]

Use it on all my street rod engines, including personal one, where the original or old school distributor is wanted. I would say to beware of off-shore knock off "HEI" distributors because those and a few others are cheaper than converting to Pertronix, not even counting the labor. There's a thread on here about problems with a dual carb unit and in addition to replacing the carbs, the Pertronix unit was replaced with an HEI unit because it was suspect. I doubt that is was as I have never had a failure. IF you have a worn out distributor and/or you don't do your own conversion you might be as well off to buy their complete distributor if it's available for your model. Most of my conversions are for non mainstream engines where aftermarket stuff is not available.

[lowrodderchev]

Got one on my 6 works great you can't go wrong with it

[NEWFISHER]

+1 Pertronix. Never had an issue, but have recently run all GM HEI or at least a GM module in an aftermarket HEI dizzy

[mr48chev]

Guys seem to have good luck with them as mentioned above. One redeeming factor is that you don't "change" the distributor to put them in as they are a plug and play unit and you can readily remove the module and stick in a set of points and a condenser if you have trouble on the road.

The deciding factor for me on any critical part that if it fails might leave me stranded on the side of the road is the general availability of a replacement part. Ignition pieces, charging system components, starters and fuel pumps all come into play there. If you have a stick you can get around the starter issue but the other three can leave you dead in the water spending a night at the bedbug inn in some little burg with no stop lights or street lights waiting for the brown truck to show up with a red label package.

Still the Petronix isn't going to fix a worn out distributor if the bushings or advance mechanism is sloppy. You have to have the distributor in great shape before putting one in and I'd suggest starting and getting the engine running right on points and condenser and then swapping the Petronix in so you know exactly where you are at.

[SCHRUMGMC]

I have a backup Distributor that is in decent shape. Believe the one I have is worn out because it moves erratically , so I am going to put a Petronix in it and put it in.. paint it orange
Also I am going to buy a new Vacuum advance so all of the distributor things will be done


Question: Do you keep the rotor cap in there, and how do you hook it up? I have heard it is fairly simple to do

[SCHRUMGMC]

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1846&ppt=C0150

I found what I want to get, but it says it doesn't fit mine?

[Old Crow]

Was already looking up a Pertronix for another car I'm doing(so yes, I guess I'd recommend them)and since I was in the catalog I scrolled down to the GMC listings. For a six cyl from '39 to '62 they list #1168LS for the Ignitor and #91168LS for the Ignitor II.

O'reilly's can get 'em for you, but I think Summit Racing might be a little cheaper.

Check out their web site at www.pertronix.com for the difference between the models as well as complete application info.

[nvrdone]

Pertronix units are great. Have one in my '49 3100 / 327 in a Mallory Dual Point housing.
Also have one in my 470 Mercruiser boat motor. Both have never failed me, knock on wood.

[FarmerSid]

I have Pertronics in my Farmall pulling tractors with no issues. Just make sure you get the correct coil.

[SCHRUMGMC]

is this what I need to get? http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/p...zoneAssigned=1

[FarmerSid]

Looks like it SCHRUM but to be sure, call CBS performance I think and they will tell you exactly and have the best price. At least some US pulling guy's I know go there and all say to go there.

[SCHRUMGMC]

That is the best price I have seen so far

[FarmerSid]

Told ya! LOL!

[SCHRUMGMC]

No no Advanced Auto Parts is

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Still the Petronix isn't going to fix a worn out distributor if the bushings or advance mechanism is sloppy. You have to have the distributor in great shape before putting one in and I'd suggest starting and getting the engine running right on points and condenser and then swapping the Petronix in so you know exactly where you are at.

Critical point, that sounds like you are addressing with the "extra" distributor.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Another reason I am going to buy the kit and a new vacuum advance so I can have it put in and hooked up

[lowrodderchev]

I got mine at summit couldn't remember price been years and years

[SCHRUMGMC]

Could it be that my points are bad and that is why the truck won't idle without the choke?

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have Pertronix on the 283 in my '55. No issues whatsoever in 3 plus years.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Its quite simple to install it from what I have read on the internet.. shouldn't have an issue installing it..
Dan, what difference did you see?

[SCHRUMGMC]

Eager to install this in my truck. How does one install a distributor once they remove it ?

[Kodiaks53]

Best thing I ever installed on my 1948 Farmall Cub tractor. Easy to install and trouble free ever since , that was 9 years ago.
Just make sure you have the correct coil per the instructions and you should be good to go.

[Apachemike]

Schrum
If you go for the Advance unit, buy it online and enter the code "P20" for the discount. It is Adv auto's 20% off code. Then pick it up at the store