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Pertronix or Crane?

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bravenrace

bravenrace

Jedi Hopeful
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I want to replace my points with an electronic ignition on my '74 2500M, but am not sure which to use. Any opinions?
 
I've used Petronix and it worked just fine with my MGA.

I found out first hand though that once your battery is dead the Petronix won't help you in push starting your car. It has to have some juice to do anything....So, I went back to points. On the rare occassion my battery goes dead again, it's easy to push start it all by myself.

Cheers,
Steve
 
I use Pertronics but carry a set of points in the gin box.

Also....I use a battery switch....ALWAYS!

Didn't know about the push start/Pertronics deal.
That is a bit of a disappointment.

Ever try hand cranking your MGA GBB?
 
Yes, I put in a battery cut off shortly after that episode as well. I have no other complaints about Petronix, it worked without any issues otherwise. I got a good deal on a Mallory distributor w/points so I use that now.

Although the handcrank is an option, I'm a little afraid of trying. It might take my hand off ;-)

Cheers,
Steve
 
I hear there are 3 rules to making sure you don't get messed up w/ a kick-back.

1) Keep your thumb on the same side as your fingers.
2) Retard it a bit by spinning the little dizzy wheel.
3) I forget the 3rd one.

Elva's rad is in front of the crank pulley nut anyway.
(So I have to push & hop in)

E-Baystuff001.jpg


People ask me if those are tail fins on the back.....
NO!.....Those are grab handles......For pushing it when it dies /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
Nice Elva!!!
I had a bad experience with Pertronics and I relate the experience with buying on ebay. If you buy on ebay do not expect sevice if there is something wrong. My kit probably fell off a truck and its just will not work so I put my old points back in.
Thanks.
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
bailee2,
Yea... I like cars where you can reach out & touch the ground also. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

I have heeded the warning re: NOT leaving the Pertronics/coil on while servicing the car.
I installed a spade terminal on the hot side of the coil instead of the ring terminal so I can pop it off quickly.
Haven't had any problems w/ mine so far.
 
Hi,

I have had the Pertronix in my TR250 for over five years without any issues at all. It was very easy to install, and I have never babied it in any way. The Crane systems have a great reputation, but I like the fact that the Pertronix is almost invisible once installed in the car.

Best regards,
 
I've had the Petronix in my racer for about 5 years. I run pretty rich mixtures and the thing *never* fouls a plug.

The points system is simple, but it's not capable of making the type of hot spark that a solid-state system can make. When I ran points, I would get mild fouling under some conditions....no more.
I always bring a spare distributor with points "just in case", but I've never needed it...kind of a belt and suspenders thing, I guess.

The Crane may have a rev-limiter on some versions; a nice feature.
 
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