Ignition/plugs

[birdy3897]

I just installed a pertronix 2 ignition in my boat about 1 month ago and was wondering if adjusting a bigger gap will give a bigger spark? Would a bigger gap than recommended with a stock ignition help reap the benefits of a hotter ignition? Has anyone else done this with good results?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Ignition/plugs

Inless you have changed to a higher output coil your ign output is unchanged from the pt system when it was in top shape

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ignition/plugs

Laddies, I respectfully disagree.<br /><br />The pertronix controls the coil primary field much more precisely (better than new points) which in turn allows the coil to achieve it's maximum potential (better secondary voltage production) - unlike points.<br /><br />It is quite concievable that more juice is reaching the plugs. A wider gap may be called for but there are other considerations also, comps being one.

 

[birdy3897]

Re: Ignition/plugs

I did get a new coil with it, I got the flamethrower 2 .

 

[trog100]

Re: Ignition/plugs

i run mine 5 thou wider than they should be.. if u keep the plug gap the same as stock any (possible) benefit from your new (none stock)system will be wasted..<br /><br />trog

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Ignition/plugs

whast trog says<br /> lec-tricity is like me and Bass. rather lazy.<br /> if it takes 5Kv to arc thats all you will ever see. regardless of multi-jiggywat coils,super duper flame popper wires and such not. its based on what it takes to arc rather than what the system is capeable of making.<br /> if ya dont belive it buy a snap-on Kv tester and go play

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ignition/plugs

Originally posted by trog100:<br /> i run mine 5 thou wider than they should be.. if u keep the plug gap the same as stock any (possible) benefit from your new (none stock)system will be wasted..<br /><br />trog

I can't let that go, must be full moon or something.............<br /><br />Wrong dear trogmiester.<br />Even if you don't open the gap (I agree that it should be openned), the pert will AUTOMATICALLY adjust dwell which in turn will effect timing - these are things that are good and will improve the big bang.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[ron7000]

Re: Ignition/plugs

I'd say 0.045" gap max, you should be able to gap at 0.040" no problem with a flamethrower coil.<br />If the gap is too large, you'll notice breakup at high rpm, won't hurt nothing. If that's the case you'll have to pull the plugs and close the gap a little. If it's a 4-cyl engine and easy to get to, worth tinkering. If it's a v-8 and hard then go 0.040" gap and be done with it. The little bit of difference in gap, or not going to the maximum possible gap, isn't going to make any noticeable difference. And it probably will make no noticeable difference changing it from the standard 0.035" gap. The noticeable difference will be caused by the electronic ignition first, then the quality of the coil.<br />I have both the original pertronix with flamethrower coil, and the pertronix 2 with matching 0.6ohm coil. I run between 0.040-0.045 gap on standard ngk plugs. I have run 0.045" with no problems. Most electronic ignitions spec a 0.040" gap. My 2002 3L mercruiser is either 0.040 or 0.045, can't remember which.<br /><br />you guys with your dwell, timing, and kilovolt testers scare me

 

[trog100]

Re: Ignition/plugs

how about mostly wasted.. ??<br /><br />thow to be honest points (properly adjusted) are plenty good enough for normal I/O low reving boat engines.. when u take the revs up to over 6000 or so points have a job remaining closed for long enough.. its really only with high reving engines that u gain any real advantage from the quicker switching.. better spark and clever dwell adjusting from I/E ignition systems..<br /><br />the other advantage of course is lack of maintainance.. which i think is the best reason for getting rid of your points.. apart from that they are well capable of providing enough spark at roughly the right time for our old boat engines..<br /><br />points have two main disadvantages.. they wear out too quickly.. and cos they rely on a cam to open and a spring which cant be too strong else they would wear out even quicker to close they struggle at high revs..<br /><br />in simple terms this dwell angle stuff is about how long the points stay closed.. its the time they are closed that allows the coil to build up enough energy to power the spark.. <br /><br />at 6000 rpm the point are closed for only 1/6 the time they are at 1000 rpm.. at 10000 rmp it would be 1/10 the time.. basically points are closed for longer than they need to be at the lower revs and not long enough at higher revs.. <br /><br />a clever electronic system takes care of all this stuff and dosnt have to cope with mechanical springs..cams and arcing switch contacts which are the real weaknesses with points systems..<br /><br />whats that howling i hear.. he he..<br /><br />trog<br /><br />ps.. first and last line for Duraruna.. the rest for anyone thats vaguely interested..

 

[newport dave]

Re: Ignition/plugs

I don't agree that you will see no benefit if you do not open up the plug gap.<br /><br />Yes, it takes the same amount of voltage (about 10 kilovolts at idle) to fire the plug regardless of how much voltage is available. But actually all the energy available in the coil is used on each firing event. Any energy not used in the initiation of the spark will increase the duration of the spark (burn time), which helps combustion. So there is a benefit, even without regapping plugs. <br /><br />I also do not agree that varible dwell affects timing. Variable dwell starts the coil charge time sooner, but the removal of ground to initate the spark occurs at the same time as a fixed dwell unit would.<br /><br />Dave

 

[trog100]

Re: Ignition/plugs

its a complicated subject but i think newport dave is correct.. u will get a longer burn (spark) by not opening the plug gap as opposed to a faster more intense burn if u do open the plug gap..<br /><br />which is best who knows.. myself i go for the faster more intense burn u get by opening the plug gap as being the most beneficial i dont think lentghening the burn time achieves much.. once the mixure is lit.. its lit.. keeping the match going longer dosnt do anything.. i could be wrong thow.. <br /><br />course enough is enough and any more is a waste time whether it be a more intense spark or a longer one.. once the spark is powerfull enough and long enough to do its job of igniting the fuel mixture adding more of either just shortens the life of both coil and plugs..<br /><br />i still think its the "fit and forget" nature of E/I as being the only really valid reason for swopping from the old points system.. the rest is just sales hype..<br /><br />trog

 

[skiriver]

Re: Ignition/plugs

What engine/sterndrive are you running?

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Ignition/plugs

The advantage of points is simplicity and low cost. In the old pre electronic ignition days the recommended milage between tune up and point replacement was about 12,000 miles in a car. Figure 12,000 miles at a 50 mph average speed would take 240 hours of driving. 240 hours at 30 MPH in a boat is 7200 miles. How many of us put 240 hours on our boats in a season. I am sure not many unless you are making a living on it.<br />How many carry a spare Pertronix unit at 80+ dollars. Spare points and condenser about 20 bucks, easy to change while on the water. No maintenance to do on the Pertronix but when it quits you are dead in the water unless you have a spare. I'll have my point ignition working in short order if it quits but I dought there is much chance of it failing with a yearly tune up.