Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions?

[RickB]

I'm thinking of getting this for one of my MG's - anyone here have experience with these?

Here's one I am looking at:

Ignitor & Flamethrower kit on ebay

 

[spritenut]

I burned out 3 of them in about 2 years, they made good on 1.

 

[RickB]

Hmmm... I just read they had some problems with the manufacturer in China...

 

[Jer]

I installed the Petronix distributer (complete distributer)& coil this spring... 3500 miles later & no problems so far

 

[John Moore]

I had Jeff at Advance Distributors put one in a recently rebuilt and custom curved Eurospec 45D and it's been great. Very smooth idle and the timing is rock solid. I also like the fact it's all hidden under the distributor cap and no extra boxes or wires. A very clean install.

 

[JeffS]

The Pertronix units are fine, but that coil is junk! Its a low quality oil filled coil and durability isn't their strong suit.
I carry the epoxy filled pertronix coils and special order the chrome ones for those who absolutely insist. Another option is the "Bosch Blue" coil which you can get a chrome sleeve for if you insist on chrome.

Its a common misunderstanding that the Pertronix will gain you any performance over a properly adjusted set of points. They will actually hinder the advance curve (slow the retard on decell) which can increase fuel mileage slightly, but not help performance. If you install one in a worn distributor performance will improve, but comparing apples to apples, there's very little difference.

 

[Bugeye58]

Thanks, Jeff. I'm a firm believer in points myself.
I even use them to trigger the MSD in the race car.
At least until I install the Electromotive Crank Fire.
Jeff

 

[RickB]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

Thanks Jeff, that's why I went with your advice (and your service).

Very good points,

er... points well taken...

dwell, you know what I mean.

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thankyousign.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

 

[lesingepsycho]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

I installed the complete distributor kit from Pertronix and I have been pleased with it so far. I have it triggering my MSD box as well so the ignition is solid. Im using an Accel coil.

I too agree that well built/tuned points dizzes are equally as reliable but the motivations for me to get the pertronix were:

1) the diminishing quality of points coming from the distributors. The rub blocks were wearing down much too quickly for my satisfaction.

2)all the dizzys I had at my disposal had busted collars which made getting them to stay put in the clamp a nightmare.

3)could not firnd a reasonable vacuum advance unit and failed to rebuild one myself.

I didn't kid myself about performance, I just wanted the reliability. So far, so good.

JACK

 

[Bugeye58]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

As an informational point, I've found that packing the "collar" portion of the distributor body with epoxy such as Devcon (my choice) or JB weld, strengthens that area considerably. I also use a spacer on the portion of the pinch clamp bolt between the ears of the clamp to prevent overtightening to the point of housing failure.
Jeff

 

[RickB]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

As an informational point, I've found that packing the "collar" portion of the distributor body with epoxy such as Devcon (my choice) or JB weld, strengthens that area considerably. I also use a spacer on the portion of the pinch clamp bolt between the ears of the clamp to prevent overtightening to the point of housing failure.
Jeff

What is the spacer you use Jeff? Something you make yourself? What's it made of? Inquiring minds and all that...

 

[DrEntropy]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

Just a piece of tubing, cut to length. The number of dizzys I've seen abused over the years would likely fall into the 1K pounds range. Some folks are just ham-fisted idjits... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

 

[Bugeye58]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

What Doc said. Nothing fancier than a piece of 5/16" OD tubing such as a chunk of steel fuel line, although I use 17-4 Stainless, turned, drilled and cut on a lathe. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Tighten up the clamp so it's just snug enough to prevent the dizzy from turning, measure the distance between the clamp ears, and cut your tube of choice to that length. Install on the bolt, between the ears, and tighten it up.
Jeff

 

[RickB]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

So the purpose of this is to keep you from over tightening the bolt? Is there anything else it does?

 

[jlaird]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

I just tighten till I can not turn the Dizzy by hand then back the nut off a couple of flats, adjust the timeing and and tighten exactly what I backed off.

The one that came with my parts junk was broken, kind of remeinded me not to do that.

 

[Bugeye58]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

So the purpose of this is to keep you from over tightening the bolt? Is there anything else it does?

That's exactly its sole purpose, Rick. I've seen the bolts tightened to the point where they bent, and the ears of the pinch clamp were nearly touching.

Ham fisted Bozos! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif
Jeff

 

[lesingepsycho]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

Hey! Sounds like mine! Of course I inherited it that way just like I inherited all the busted dizzys!

I do really like the solid mount on the Pertronix however. It would be impossible to break... even by ham fisted bozos /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

JACK

 

[JeffS]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

I have a repair I do to cracked distributors. I machine off the cracked clamping ring and press/epoxy fit a laser cut steel repair ring. Its as durable as the 45D distributors with a solid housing, and I only charge $20, so its an affordable option to repair an otheriwse useless distributor! With this repair, you can tighten the clamp until the bolt breaks and not harm the distributor!

Jack, Try Standard Ignition's Bluestreak points, part # LU-1617XP. They'll make you forget about Pertronix. Otherwise choice #2 is the brown heel Lucas points BUT you have to file them so sit square to the points cam. More often than not, the points plate is worn so bad that it doesn't sit square to the cam. That means the points don't sit square either, at least not until they wear square (in the first few hundred miles.)

 

[Bugeye58]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

I've done the same repair, Jeff, except I made the ring from some good aluminum.
Jeff

 

[RickB]

Re: Pertronix Ignitor & Flamethrower kit? Opinions

Like many others here have said, Jeff does great work.
I got the thing at the Post Office today (he literally built and shipped it on Friday & I got it today - on Monday!!).

This is a beauty people, Wow - if I didn't know Jeff rebuilt this thing I'd swear it's brand new!

Now I just have to wait until Wednesday to install it after getting my timing light.