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Dgsndtrcks
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Has anyone installed a Pertronix on a BJ8, and if so, any advice?
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Pertronix Distributor
- Thread starter Dgsndtrcks
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I had one for a few years. It was OK. You have to be careful which wires you use and don't leave the key in the "on" position without the engine running or it melts.
I sent my distributor to Advanced Distributors in Minnesota and went back to points 2 years ago. Won't do electronic again.
I sent my distributor to Advanced Distributors in Minnesota and went back to points 2 years ago. Won't do electronic again.
Wire-Wheels
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I run one in my TR6. No problems. Of course it must be wired correctly, as is true with anything electrical. The thing I like is my timing is always spot on, so starting and performance is much more consistent. As with any electronics, they are subject to failure if they get too hot. [Yes, you should not leave the ignition key on without the engine running because it will overheat, but the same it true of OEM electronic ignitions as well]. Same is true of ignition coils. I run a very high output, aftermarket coil, mounted on phenolic washers to insulate it from the heat of the cylinder head. ...J.D.
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I have Pertronix sets in both of my race cars and a Mallory Unilite in my Healey. Nothing is 100% bulletproof but I and many others like electronic ignitions for various reasons including simplicity and reliability. Yes you can burn them up if you leave the ignition key on but you can also burn up breaker points under similar circumstances.
Because condensers fail in strange ways and are usually replaced AFTER people have gone through and perhaps replaced the points--or even the coil--just getting rid of one component in the chain is a great plus for electronic ignitions.
All that said it is certainly not hard to change, adjust and maintain points and condensors--the choice is yours.
I have Pertronix sets in both of my race cars and a Mallory Unilite in my Healey. Nothing is 100% bulletproof but I and many others like electronic ignitions for various reasons including simplicity and reliability. Yes you can burn them up if you leave the ignition key on but you can also burn up breaker points under similar circumstances.
Because condensers fail in strange ways and are usually replaced AFTER people have gone through and perhaps replaced the points--or even the coil--just getting rid of one component in the chain is a great plus for electronic ignitions.
All that said it is certainly not hard to change, adjust and maintain points and condensors--the choice is yours.
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Legal Bill
Jedi Knight
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I'm curious to know if everyone who responded to the OP's question installed the entire replacement Pertronix distributor, or just the kit converting your Lucas distributor to an electronic ignition.
red57
Jedi Knight
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I had a Pertonix module in a Mallory distributor for years with great success. A couple of years ago, bought a complete Pertronix vacuum advance distributor because my Mallory had no vac advance and I wanted to explore the fuel mileage advantages of a vacuum advance.
An important note if you have an early car with a cable driven tach (BN4 thru BJ7) - the Pertronix distributor sold for Healey 3000 are actually only correct for the late BJ8 with electronic tach - they come with the drive used on the BJ8 and you need to mount your old drive gear for the tach. The difficulty is that the pin holding the drive on is bigger diameter (.165") so you must drill a new, smaller hole (.125") 90 degrees from the one it comes with.
Other than installing the drive gear, I've got about 10-11k miles on it over the last 2 years, and it has proven very satisfactory for me.
Pertronix on left and stock on right in both pictures.
An important note if you have an early car with a cable driven tach (BN4 thru BJ7) - the Pertronix distributor sold for Healey 3000 are actually only correct for the late BJ8 with electronic tach - they come with the drive used on the BJ8 and you need to mount your old drive gear for the tach. The difficulty is that the pin holding the drive on is bigger diameter (.165") so you must drill a new, smaller hole (.125") 90 degrees from the one it comes with.
Other than installing the drive gear, I've got about 10-11k miles on it over the last 2 years, and it has proven very satisfactory for me.
Pertronix on left and stock on right in both pictures.