Eliminate points

FordGuy · Post by **FordGuy** » April 21, 2008, 8:27 am

Hey all.
I've just chewed up another set of points in my 390 and was wondering if anyone has a suggestion for eliminating the points entirely.
I've seen an electronic pickup which was inserted in place of points in a standard distributor, but I don't remember the brand. I'd like to know if such a product is readily available, if they actually work, and if anyone has a brand suggestion. I've got a full MSD system in my old Torino but I'd rather not go to that extreme in my truck.
Thanks for your help!
[/img]http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm27 ... rtment.jpg[/img]

Jonas · Post by **Jonas** » April 21, 2008, 8:49 am

Pertronics Ignitor 1.

I have had one in my 65 for the last, four years no problems. Cost you about 70.00 dollars. Easy to install. 1/2 an hour to install.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » April 21, 2008, 8:51 am

http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/default.aspx

you can also look for a newer 75 -ish 390 in the junkyard, they had duraspark on them. a fairly easy swap.

FordGuy · Post by **FordGuy** » April 21, 2008, 9:06 am

Thanks for the response.
I'd like to keep the old mechanical distributor just for looks if possible. The Pertronix info is just what I was looking for.

Jonas · Post by **Jonas** » April 21, 2008, 9:13 am

keep the specs. in mind 8vdc to 16vdc.

You will hear people say hook the pertronics to hot wire to the coil. This is not correct. The hot wire at the coil is 7dvc. You need to pick up the 12vdc before the resitive wire going to the coil.

Specifications

* Operating Voltage: 8-V to 16-V DC
* Temperature Range: -50 to 300F
* RPM Range: 0 to 15,000 RPM
* 12-V NEG Ground (some 6-V NEG, 6 & 12-V POS ground kits available)
* System is designed for use with most point-type coils, optimal performance achieved when used with our Flame-Thrower® 40,000 volt coil.

FordGuy · Post by **FordGuy** » April 21, 2008, 9:20 am

Would you recommend this swap? It looks like it will cost about $90, but with H.D. points @ $35 a set I think this would be a bargain.

Jonas · Post by **Jonas** » April 21, 2008, 9:35 am

Defenilty. It is a great upgrade for the money

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » April 21, 2008, 11:14 am

Yep both with pertronics and duraspark, bypass the pink wire off the ignition switch to the coil. It resists down to 6-7 volts instead of the full 12 v blast.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » April 21, 2008, 2:16 pm

so what happens if the wire is not bypassed?
truck still runs but wondering if this contributes to weak spark ?

pertronix is on the wifes 66, i did not install it and the original wire is still hooked up.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » April 21, 2008, 2:22 pm

Yes that is exactly what happens Ice. When I first got Jinx it was still on the pink wire to the Duraspark coil, so I changed it. But it still ran on the weak spark. .

grabber64 · Post by **grabber64** » April 21, 2008, 2:36 pm

just for your info... crane xr-1 are points conversions that have an adj. built in rev-limiter for you four speed boys and they can be found in ebay for $59.99. i believe summit, jegs, and/or northernautoparts is the same.

also if you do the conversion then you need an electronic ignition coil whether it be a stock duraspark or aftermarket due to it being a hotter coil. if you use a standard points coil then it will burn up the conversion's pickup coil due to it not having enough juice. i had burnt one up that way with an old nostalgia coil pack for dual points so i found out the hard way.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » April 21, 2008, 3:01 pm

i will have to look at the coil to see what kind it is too.

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » April 22, 2008, 2:37 pm

I have a pertronix in mine, works GREAT. you just have to remember to adjust the timing, as it moves the trigger point a few degrees. I had a bit of confusion as I forgot to do this.

The pertronix SHOULD work just fine on the pink resistor wire, but I have a 12v from the switch to the coil. (it's a stock-style STANDARD brand, high quality. Not internally resisted. It's been on there for 4 years, with no problems at all. I'm not concerned about the excess voltage to coil.

they have a new version that automaticaally turns itself off if you leave it ON but not running. I think Why Bother, but in a car like my ma's 69 camaro it would be nice because her ign switch sucks, doesnt have an acc position.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » April 22, 2008, 9:44 pm

blackagatha wrote:they have a new version that automaticaally turns itself off if you leave it ON but not running. I think Why Bother, but in a car like my ma's 69 camaro it would be nice because her ign switch sucks, doesnt have an acc position.

Ignitor II -- also varies the dwell based on RPM as I recall. But the feature that keeps it from burning up if you leave the switch on is what sold me on them.....

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » April 23, 2008, 12:30 am

I asked for mine for xmas, and wanted to make damned sure that I got it because I was having a nnightmare with points, limped my truck home, and parked it until xmas because Iwas counting on it. If I got the Ignitor II, likely not have got it. and I didnt plan on shorting it out so so what...

Xcessive · Post by **Xcessive** » April 23, 2008, 1:23 pm

I just got done putting the duraspark onto mine... it's another option. cost me about $50 more but I think it's a better route. but thats my own humble opinion.

FordGuy · Post by **FordGuy** » April 23, 2008, 1:30 pm

Yeah, I don't doubt that, but I'd like to keep the look as original as possible. I appreciate the input.

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Moose · Post by **Moose** » April 23, 2008, 5:56 pm

Tim,

http://www.mustangsunlimited.com

Try them for your pertronix module. I got mine for right around $70 shipped. Just order the one for the V8 with single points, and you are set.

[edit] Here's the direct link to the part, so you don't have to spend days looking on their website for it......

http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy ... y=EMUSTANG

Moose

grabber64 · Post by **grabber64** » April 23, 2008, 8:00 pm

does anyone know which is actually better?

the pertronix or the duraspark?

if i were to guess then i say the duraspark for two reasons: the availability of the setup at the store down the road plus you can still get the parts at the yard that are still made in america. for a driver i woud use the duraspark with an aftermarket performance coil.

for a clean cheap setup then i would go with the competitor: crane xr1 setup instead with a rev limiter at a lower cost.

Pappy · Post by **Pappy** » April 23, 2008, 11:04 pm

do the have this set up for 240 6cyl