AARON STARNES
  • Home
  • Writing
  • LLC
  • Contact Me
  • '49 Ford Blog
  • Adventure Blog
  • Project Pics
  • Home
  • Writing
  • LLC
  • Contact Me
  • '49 Ford Blog
  • Adventure Blog
  • Project Pics
Search

Pertronix Electronic Ignition Conversion

7/9/2014

6 Comments

 
Picture
PerTronix 1283 Ignitor for Ford 1949-53 8 Cylinder
This entry is dedicated the installation of the PerTronix Ignitor electronic ignition conversion for a Ford flathead. I ordered this product based on the reviews describing it's simplicity and reliability. The reviews didn't lie. 
This is what came in the box. The ring on top is the "magnet sleeve" that fits over your rotor shaft. Bottom left is the receiver and ignition plate and on the right is the little baggy of hardware. 
There is a sheet of instructions which are brief but thorough. It tells you in detail what you how to run their set up. 

It covers all the technical stuff about what primary resistance your ignition coil needs to be, wiring diagram, etc.

The one I used is the 12 volt version, but Pertronix makes a version which is
6 Volt Positive Ground.
Picture

This set-up is just about idiot proof, and this thing comes with a 30 WEEK replacement warranty which they stand by.
PerTronix 40011 Flame-Thrower 40,000 Volt 1.5 ohm Coil
PerTronix offers it's own line of performance coils. If you want to eliminate the need for a condenser, which is what I did, I went with the  Flame-Thrower 1.5 ohm Coil which is what Pertronix reccomends even though I had already purchased and installed a new coil.

For V8 applications you want to with the 1.5 ohm coil and for the 6 cylinder you want the 3.0 ohm.

These things come in chrome or black. I chose black for the stock look and because chrome seems to look dirty faster.
This is the stock set-up. With the cap and rotor removed you can see the breaker points, condenser, rotor shaft, and vacuum advance plate. Most of this is removed and replaced with the new system.

This setup uses a cam-follower to open and close the points as the rotor shafts spins with the rotation of the crank.

The advance plate is actuated by vacuum to advance the spark as the RPMs rise.
Picture
Picture
This is the PerTronix system installed. It's clean, tidy and eliminates all those moving parts and any need for maintenance, including lubrication.

The kit replaces the points by screwing down the ignitor plate to the old breaker plate. This allows your advance mechanism to still do it's job.  

Just two screws and it's in.

I went ahead and did a little clean-up while I had the top off my dizzy. 

This conversion reduces clutter under the distributor cap by making a lot of the wires and junk related to the points useless.

The whole conversion in less than an hour. 

By removing the moving parts in the distributor you also remove the possibility that they can fail. There is no part-on-part contact, nothing rubs on anything else. 

After the installation was complete I tried to start the car and it wouldn't go at first.  

Turns out I didn't have the module grounded properly. I took the advance plate back off and reattached the ground and whaddya know it cranked right up.
Picture
No rotor sleeve and not wired up
To finish up the installation I twisted the red and black wires coming from the distributor and sleeved them in heat shrink to protect them and give them a clean appearance. Then I cut the wires to length and crimped on the terminals, heat shrinked those, and wired up the coil. 
With the stock points I had the timing set in advance, but when I checked the timing after the electronic ignition was installed it was dead on time, no longer advanced. After advancing the timing it starts right up, just like it used to.

Right off I noticed that the engine revs faster now. It feels a little faster too, I would not be surprised if it was literally faster on the stopwatch. 


The sweet spot for cruising was right around 55 mph before, going faster felt like I had to push it harder than was comfortable. Now the sweet spot is up on the other side 60, a notable and worthwhile gain.

Was this all the Pertronix product? It could be, but the ignition conversion wasn't the only variable here. 

The new Pertronix coil spits 40,000 volts, which I would hazard to guess is higher than stock and a hotter spark definitely can improve power. Resetting the timing could have something to do with the better performance too. 
I won't ever have to set points again which is good because it's not particularly fun and I'm not particularly good at it.  My points will never short and fuse together and my car won't ever run like crap again because my points got dirty. 

This because I made the easy and relatively inexpensive, about 100 buck for the coil and module, switch to electronic ignition. There is a reason why the automotive industry no longer uses points. This is a good way to lend a little more reliability to your vintage engine without investing a ton of time and money, all while maintaining a stock appearance if that's what you're into. Bring your flatty up to speed! 

Back to Blog
6 Comments
Christopher
9/3/2014 01:28:32 pm

Does the electronic conversion run on 6 or 12 volt?

Reply
Aaron Starnes
9/4/2014 04:33:43 am

I ran 12 volt but they make a 6 volt option. It's Pertronix 1283P6

Reply
Mike Chapman link
2/15/2020 09:21:35 am

I recently reviewed your web site and was really impressed. I am also restoring a 1949 Ford Tudor. I found very good information. have reviewed the Archives sections. Also very well done
My wife and I both enjoy working on restorations. Not so much into restomodes. We name our cars ( this one is Harrison James) and has a very sound body and no rust and all the glass.We don't try to sell in any flipping.

We have added disc brakes to the frount, and a electric fuel pump in the rear. Also a new gas tank.

We are from San Antonio and have several more cars enjoy. We are retired and we spend time in Hot Springs, AR. If not too much trouble we would like to be included in your efforts.



















Reply
Aaron Starnes
2/18/2020 08:57:22 am

Mike,

Thanks for the support. I'm glad you're enjoying the site. I wish my car was less rusty when I bought it, but live and learn right? Disc brakes must be a big improvement. In what way would you like to be included on the site?

Reply
Japanese California link
4/4/2021 02:13:57 pm

Thanks foor sharing this

Reply
John Michael link
11/3/2022 10:26:07 pm

People everything Democrat girl. Environment expert prevent newspaper tree bit television.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Body
    Brakes
    Driving
    Engine
    Floors
    Fuel System
    Glass
    Interior
    Suspension
    Wiring


    Archives

    September 2019
    July 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    March 2012


    GREen Bible


    Aerostar Coils


    FloorPans​

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    © 2018 Aaron Starnes. 
    ​
    All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Writing
  • LLC
  • Contact Me
  • '49 Ford Blog
  • Adventure Blog
  • Project Pics