Pertronix for 78 Mercruiser 470

[78 Thompson]

Been thinking about installing a pertronix Ignitor in my 78 Mercruiser 470
Should I just go with the Ignitor or would it be a better idea to get the Ignitor II ? Guess my question is, do I need the extra benefits of the Ignitor II for my old 470 and would it be worth the extra money?

 

[greno]

I have an Ignitor III in one of my old Mercruiser 898's.
Any Pertronix is preferable to points.

 

[achris]

Go with the Ignitor II. It has 'key on, engine stalled' protection.

Chris......

 

[greno]

Just something to be aware of. The Petronix module did not work properly until I ran a dedicated +12v to the coil. It wouldn't idle good and just sounded "off". Once I ran the wire it ran like a champ.

 

[78 Thompson]

Whats the key on protection, so it doesn't burn out the coil?
Yes I have read about the resister wire, that needs to be bypassed, thanks.

 

[thumpar]

Whats the key on protection, so it doesn't burn out the coil?
Yes I have read about the resister wire, that needs to be bypassed, thanks.

It's so that it doesn't burn out the module. On the original version the module could burn out if the key was on but the engine was not running. In the II version they fixed that.

 

[greno]

The Ignitor III also gives you a rev limiter if that's of interest to you.
It was for me since I run good distances at WOT and didn't want to risk overspeeding the engine if I caught some air.

 

[78 Thompson]

The original ignitor doesn't ajust the dwell as the rpm increases, is that right? But isnt that what the centrifugal advance is for in the distributor?

 

[greno]

No, dwell is how long the points are closed. Advance is how for ahead of top dead center the spark occurs.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have never had a set of points fail as often as i have had pertronixs kits fail

 

[78 Thompson]

Oh yeah thats right, so the ignitor II says it adjusts the dwell, what is the purpose of that, runs smoother, more power?

 

[greno]

Your dwell determines how much charge goes into your coil.

 

[achris]

Just something to be aware of. The Petronix module did not work properly until I ran a dedicated +12v to the coil. It wouldn't idle good and just sounded "off". Once I ran the wire it ran like a champ.

Yep, just what they say in the installation instructions... Though, I have found 'Installation instructions' go the same way as 'Owner's Handbooks', in the trash without so much as a second look!

Chris........

 

[greno]

achris, IKEA must love you.

 

[achris]

achris, IKEA must love you.

:facepalm:

 

[78 Thompson]

So that dedicated wire to the coil is to bypass the resister wire right? The one from the choke?

 

[greno]

For those who may not get the reference, IKEA is notorious for some of the worst installation instructions on the planet.
You're better off just staring at the parts and figuring out how they go. But most people end up calling the 800 number and getting help putting things together.
For IKEA, I agree with Chris, just throw the instructions away. But I'm a little more cautious with other products.

 

[greno]

So that dedicated wire to the coil is to bypass the resister wire right? The one from the choke?

Correct.

 

[78 Thompson]

Funny, I don't think I have ever bought anything from them.

 

[greno]

I think SNL even did a skit on IKEA kits.