Pertronix install

wbdeford · November 25, 2015, 10:22:38 AM

What happens if you have too large of a gap? When I installed my Ignitor, the distributor was stuck in the bore so I couldn't remove it to add a shim. My gap between the module and the magnetic ring when I pull up on the rotor is definitely larger than it should be.

Scot Minesinger · November 25, 2015, 02:49:55 PM

Not only do you need to remove the distributor to likely add a shim, but the timing will have to be set also. The distributor should be loosened from the bore anyway. This has happened to me twice on my 472 engine and both times I was replacing the original timing chain, so cover was off and was able to more easily loosen it more easily than if front cover had not been apart. If you have not replaced timing chain, this may a good time.

wbdeford · November 25, 2015, 04:26:49 PM

The distributor is freed now, after much effort and penetrating oil, and months after I installed the ignitor. I had forgotten about the excess play. I will shim it, but still curious about the consequences of not.

Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373 · November 25, 2015, 05:34:51 PM

Well, logically I would think that if it gets too much of a gap then the magnet would be too far for it to trip the unit and cause a miss.

Got her running today. Just in the garage. Seemed smoother.
However I must have bumped something because the gen light was on. I have never had a problem with the charging system. Now I had the door open a lot because while I was under the dash I cleaned up a lot. The last time I did that I pulled the fuse. Just didn't this time. Battery was very low to the point of almost not starting it.
It was putting out about 13.75 volts at about 650-700 rpm (I only had my old analog voltmeter).
I put a charger on it and will see. Looks like I have another project.

wbdeford · November 25, 2015, 06:18:17 PM

Thanks, Jeff....was thinking the same thing. I have an occasional momentary hesitation when I start from a stop, so maybe that is the cause. Will be a while before I can confirm that, since my car has no front suspension at the moment.

Scot Minesinger · November 25, 2015, 08:04:46 PM

Jeff,

That is the way it goes, finish one project another emerges. After reading the failures you suffered with points and condenser I just converted my 1970 Cadillac SDV over to the Petronix tonight and it runs great. However, the brand new (1,000 miles on it) rebuilt water pump is noisy and has a lot of play so have to replace it.

Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373 · November 25, 2015, 09:16:28 PM

Yep, I understand. And no matter how much you try, you always get a glob/smear of that blue gasket stuff somewhere when you had it PERFECT the first time........ And a little knuckle skin on the radiator.
Good luck,
Jeff

Scot Minesinger · November 26, 2015, 08:34:47 AM

Jeff,

Thanks but I always install the gasket dry. Insert exhaust studs into the 3/8" female threads on block and hang the gasket. Then install all the other bolts, remove exhaust studs and install the 3/8" bolts-no gasket cement. I have done this job at least ten times on the 472/500 block engines, and this looks so nice. Since I installed the previous water pump dry gasket, cleaning up gasket mating surfaces will be quite easy. Just before the Pertronix was installed rebuilt the carb. The car just runs so well now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Pertronix install