• 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 - re-install

Share this page

bigjones

bigjones

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Hi folks,

I just received a cheapo elctronic ignition that was discussed in the Pub . Obviously I would like to check it out before it goes in the trunk as backup.

Before taking out the existing Pertronix is there a way I could mark it with paint so that I can re-install without resorting to timing lights, test lights, multimeters, so that the timing is not lost.

I can't seem to get my head around this. The rotor can only go on one way and the position of the Pertronix is fixed with the 2 mounting holes.

Thought I would ask you guys.

Cheers
 
I wouldnt be to sure you would have to adjust the timing. I went from the standard electronic "Opus" ignition to the Pertronix unit and didnt have to adjust the timing. The fact of the matter is they are different brands and the housing design may be slightly different yet the internal mechanics is the same except mabe the quality. I do want to comment that the 2 mounting holes on the Pertronix isn't quite "fixed". You are to check the gap from the lense to the center ring and make sure it is at .015" then tighten it down. There is enough play in those mounting holes to go outside of that tolerance. If that isnt checked then I can see you having some issues that may have you thinking about timing adjustment and so forth.
 
You can static time the Pertronix. So, before you remove it you could hook up a test lamp and turn the engine over by hand until you reach the point the Pertronix fires... then record the crank pulley/timing mark position. It will achieve the same thing as paint marking the dizzy position. When you're ready to put the Pertronix back, turn the crank to the right position, hook up your test lamp, then turn the dizzy until it just firs and lock it in place.

One caveat. Remember that the Pertronix must be limited to about 3 minutes of being powered up without the engine running. Sitting too long with power applied can cause the electronics to overheat and fail.
 
Sweendog.

Thanks for the reply - it would be nice is nothing changes - I'll let you know what happens!

Doug,
Thanks for the procedure and the warning. I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers,
Adrian
 
Hey Big Jones, for sure make sure you dont leave the ignition on with the engine not running. I did that and guess what. I was ordering a new unit. I think the Pertronix II unit has a feature that wont allow it to burn up if the ignition is left on? Also, if your checking the gap with the feeler gauge to hit that .015" gap, take the positive wire off the battery. You can get a nice wakeup call from the battery. I still feel jittery.
 
You are correct, Ignitor-II does not have the time/temperature issue when the igntion is left on. However, Ignitor-II also doesn't support "zero speed firing". For most people that doesn't mean much or matter. What it says is that you cannot static time an Ignitor-II but you can static time the original Pertronix Ignitor.
 
Doug and Sweendog,
Thanks for the help.
I'll let you know how I get on. Right now I have to sort out the back brakes.
Cheers!
 
Warning: Unrelated information/Text to Follow
Hey Adrian, I just sent in my registration for this year's show. See you at North Hills?
 
Doug,

Yes I'll be there!
This is a great car event in Raleigh, NC, put on every year by the NC MG Car Club - lots of LBC's of every description. May 16th 2009.

My MG has the $20 Rustoleum paint job so I'll probably go in the ole TR3. Then again, there where no RB Midgets last year and I could have won 1st prize for that class. Ha!

Cheers,
Adrian
 
Back
Top