• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Pertronix or points

Share this page

AUSMHLY said:
I believe the pertronix requires a 40,000 volt coil vs a standard coil.
I'm running a Lucas sports coil.

View attachment 29877
Click to expand...
I'm using the standard Bosch Blue Coil. No problems. I went with what Jeff at Advanced
suggested and I bought it. (if you're trying to make us jealous of your engine compartment...it's working);
 
AUSMHLY said:
I believe the pertronix requires a 40,000 volt coil vs a standard coil.
I'm running a Lucas sports coil.
Click to expand...

The sports coil is supposed to be all that's necessary. I've heard the problem with high voltage coils is the stock cap and rotor won't handle the voltage.

Correction:
Excuse me, I see the Pertronix Flame Thrower coil is 40,000 volts -- hasn't given me any trouble.
https://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/flame/coils/40000_volt.aspx
 
I'm sure Pertronix would like you to use their coil, (click on the Flame-Thrower link below to read more about why 40,000 volts) however they do point out to use a 40,000 volt coil.
The (gold) Lucas sports coil is 40,000 volts.
I carry a spare Pertronix ignitor and a spare Pertronix sports coil, just in case either one goes out.. (knock on wood)
As a side note, a friend of mine had his stock coil go out when we were driving to a show, so he was glad I had a spare.

This is copied from their website:
System is designed for use with most point-type coils, optimal performance achieved when used with our Flame-Thrower® 40,000 volt coil.
 
Last edited:
DerekJ said:
Sounds like a great 'upgrade'. All you have to do is replace your perfectly good coil and then carry two extra spares of everything in your boot!
Click to expand...

On the points side we're hardly immune if one is forced to use new parts: there are problems with coils, points that don't align or fast-wearing rubbing blocks and unreliable condensers.
 
DerekJ said:
Sounds like a great 'upgrade'. All you have to do is replace your perfectly good coil and then carry two extra spares of everything in your boot!
Click to expand...

NOPE
just like the man said"
System is designed for use with most point-type coils, optimal performance achieved when used with any highwe output coil--I.E. Lecas Sport:encouragement:
 
DerekJ said:
Sounds like a great 'upgrade'. All you have to do is replace your perfectly good coil and then carry two extra spares of everything in your boot!
Click to expand...

"Upgrade" aside, do you carry any parts in the boot?
Back in the 60's, my dad drove a 64 BJ8 as his daily driver for 11 years in CT, snow, rain, summer, fall. He didn't carry any spare parts.
Here we are in our Healey's (many have been restored and are in better condition than cars back in the 50-60's) and the question is, how many of us don't carry spare parts in the boot?
 
Upgrade" aside, do you carry any parts in the boot?

Well I think today that depends on your location the proposd distance of travel and whether you are just buzzing around town daily. I carry a spare dizzy all set up to install containing ; Yep , a Pertronics when traveling long distances--:encouragement:
 
Keoke said:
Upgrade" aside, do you carry any parts in the boot?

Well I think today that depends on your location the proposd distance of travel and whether you are just buzzing around town daily. I carry a spare dizzy all set up to install containing ; Yep , a Pertronics when traveling long distances--:encouragement:
Click to expand...

I also have a spare dizzy ready to install. Mine is setup with known good points & condenser, though, on the theory that what caused my main pertronix to fail might also eat a replacement.
 
32 years of Healeying and multiple cars..........never had a problem with points..used to carry a complete dizzy in the trunk..don't anymore.... Have to practice the old Healey saying..

"IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT..." Do not enjoy reading about all the problems peolple are having with transmision changes to Toyota etc.
 
AUSMHLY said:
"Upgrade" aside, do you carry any parts in the boot?
Back in the 60's, my dad drove a 64 BJ8 as his daily driver for 11 years in CT, snow, rain, summer, fall. He didn't carry any spare parts.
Here we are in our Healey's (many have been restored and are in better condition than cars back in the 50-60's) and the question is, how many of us don't carry spare parts in the boot?
Click to expand...
None in mine, but I do have a AAA card in my wallet! Only things in the boot are the side-screens in their bag, a twenty-eight (28) gallon fuel tank, a pair of hammers (rawhide & lead) and a scissors-jack & handle. The spare tire sits on the shelf behind the seats.

For the record, the ignition in mine consists of a Mallory DP distributor (1 set of points used as a trigger, the other in situ but electrically isolated) and an MSD 6AL-2 digital controller.

IMG_2882.jpg


IMG_2892.jpg



After seeing these pictures, it's apparently been over three (>3) years since the last time the ignition system was touched__maybe I should look at that__NAH!
 
I carry a Pertronix and coil but no tools to fit them. I also carry a scissor jack but no handle or spare tire. Probably the result of reality getting in the way of good intentions- tools needed elsewhere and not returned to car, can't carry anything with the spare tire in. Good luck and a cellphone don't occupy any space in the trunk.
 
Off the top of my head:

- Spare dist. cap with attached wires (used, but working fine when I replaced it).
- (At least) one spare fuel pump.
- Several spare rotors.
- Spare spark plugs.
- Medicine bottle of assorted nuts, screws and bolts
- Various wire (mechanic's and electrical)
- Radiator stop-leak (if all else fails ...)
- Various sizes of hose clamps
- Cut up clothes hanger wire
- Spare Pertronix and points, capacitor, etc.
- Spare O/D panel switch and solenoid
- Flat fix kit (I run tubeless)
- Misc. stuff I can't remember

I wrote an article for Austin-Healey Magazine listing parts and tools I carry ... it was several pages long.
 
steveg said:
Emergency supplies my neighbor Dennis Williams had in his boot for the European Healey Meet in Scotland earlier this year:
View attachment 29971 :fat:
Click to expand...
. I don't know if your friend Dennis doesn't trust his mechanic or is planning a deep space mission, or building another Healey for his return trip? I don't think the space shuttle carries that many spares! Lol.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top