[FC] Ignition issues/ History lesson

[Ken Hand]

 Regarding the Pertronix, I have purchased several, I don't recall the number but more than 10 and less than a 100. Even thought of being a dealer but I knew I couldn't meet the yearly quota for sales. Anyway, when they first became a big thing in the Corvair world I jumped in also. There is still a Pertonix 1 running on the ex-wife's car and several on customer cars. Pertronix seemed to be very good and reliable in the begining then after about 5-7 years something happened in the company and it seems the quality control went away and some of the newer units started failing somewhere from 6 mos to 1 1/2 years. The 6 month failures were on my race car so no warranty, these were the Pertronix II.

You would think that with electronics there would be a hard failure and you know what to go after. These did not hard fail and took some doing to figure what was causing my problems. My problems were, hard starting, no high RPM, and poor idle. I had varying symptoms on customer cars but mostly the same as mentioned above. I would put points back in and miraculously the engine was back to normal.

What I have been doing lately is going back new/old school with the Chrysler electronic ignition. I am also working on a pick-up coil and reluctor system using a GM module instead of the big Chrysler unit. So, I am going with OEM stuff, just not OEM for the Corvair and they are available at an auto parts store!

 

Ken Hand
248-613-8586
www.corvairmechanic.com

http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x118/vairmech/Viet%20Nam%20Pictures%201971/


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Andy . <rumbleseat66 at hotmail.com>
To: corvanatics at corvair.org
Sent: Thu, Jun 23, 2011 11:06 pm
Subject: Re: [FC] Rampy issues



I want to totally retract my breakerless ignition recommendation.  It was not my 
intention to take this thread off topic.  I should of prefaced my response with 
"this is anecdotal experience, your mileage may vary."  I have no doubt the 
Pertronix may be of less than OEM quality.  I just happened to buy a bunch 
(dozen or so) at a volume discount years ago.  Of these I haven't had any 
issues.  Maybe I got a good batch.  Maybe its because my engines run cool and 
only operate in comfortable windows or top down weather.  Maybe I am just lucky 
- I have never even thrown a felt belt (except for an alternator that locked up.  
I know, I know, should have just kept the tried and true generator on there.)
 
There is nothing wrong with a points system assuming all distributor parts are 
in good shape.  I haven't read the link from below but if it says points are 
superior I wouldn't argue with it.  Seems I have read about better dwell times 
and "coil saturation" with points vs. a cheap electronic ignition.  That's for 
another discussion...  But I have had worn out distributors where the dwell was 
all over the map - that can't be good.  With an electronic pickup that isn't an 
issue.  Neither are intermittent condensers or that oh-so-tiny points screw.
 
One thing I really like though is doing away with the resistance wire and or 
ceramic resistor on the coil.  I get a coil that operates on full battery 
voltage and run a dedicated wire from a trusted battery voltage source.  Seeing 
as how an ignition coil is a step up transformer, higher starting voltage can't 
be all bad.  Ken will correct me on this - LOL.  Quality and performance of 
coils could also be endlessly debated.  
 
Whatever you run, keeping it cool and supplying it with steady voltage is 
obviously a no brainer. 
 
YMMV
 
Andy 
 
 
 
 
 

> Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:05:51 -0700
> From: lechevrier at earthlink.net
> To: corvanatics at corvair.org
> Subject: Re: [FC] Rampy issues
> 
> 
> >Then install a pertronix (or similar) and never look back. (Carrying stock 
points plate setup for spare). 
> >
> 
> That almost sounds oxymoronic! Why not just skip the failed electronics 
> step, install the stock points plate setup, and carry a spare condenser 
> (or two), a points file, some distributor cam lube, a small screwdriver, 
> and a timing or test light ...
> 
> And a spare fan belt and wrench, and a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench ...
> 
> Here is an interesting and perhaps educational version of one person's 
> take on Points Ignition Theory --
> http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/ignitiontext.htm#theory.
> 
> As an aside, I have found Standard's "Blue Streak" line of condensers to 
> come in a box labeled "Made in USA", meaning the condenser, I presume.
> 
> Bill Strickland
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