Pertronix Ignitor II?

tie_one_on

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Oct 27, 2003
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Wanted to hear from y'all. Would you say yeah or nay to replacing points & condensor set up with a Pertronix Ignitor II? What about using the stock coil or replace that with Flame Thrower one by Pertronix (epoxy filled)? Thanks, I'm think about using these on my 1988 twin Ford 302 Pleasurecrafts.
 

KaGee

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Aug 14, 2004
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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

You will get various comments<br /><br />I replaced with Pertronix and the engine idles much smoother. You don't have to buy their coil, but I did. BTW, there are two types of flamethrower... oil filled and epoxy. i bought the oil filled.
 

whywhyzed

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Feb 1, 2005
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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

I have the Pertronix I. I kept my old coil. It works well.
 

rbezdon

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Jun 20, 2004
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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

Tie, I replaced with the Billet complete distributor. I figured as much of the inconsistance in the dwell was coming from the wander of the shaft as from the points so what was the gain not replacing the bearings as well as the points. The engine idles a bit better and no more dwell adjust which was my main PITA. I liked the old SBC auto one where you could abjust the points with an allen key through a window in the cap but the remove the cap and reset was just too much of a PITA. I got the epoxy higher energy coil too but I had to pull a new +12 feed for it. If you stick with your old coil there is no need for this. By the way, I also keep the old distributor in the boat just in case.
 

tie_one_on

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276
Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

Vatter, my thoughts exactly. I'd prefer to put new distributors but one of my engines is counter rotation and the new electronic distributors won't work, so I thought the Ignitor II would be my next best option.
 

MrBill

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Aug 4, 2002
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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

I replaced the points/condenser with the Pertronix II this spring, and I wish I did it years ago. I did not upgrade the coil, but instead stuck with the stock one because of concerns with my particular application (3.7L charging system, etc. <br /><br />Go with the Ignitor II rather than One, it protects against mistakenly leaving the ignition switch on and also provides improved timing advance and (variable?) dwell. You should be very pleased with Pertronix, particularly in an older engine. Good luck...
 

rbezdon

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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

tie, I am not positive but I think you can buy the distributor and swap the gear. At this point you have the same thing as putting the P2 in the reverse engine stock distributor.
 

tie_one_on

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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

I was wondering that Vatter. I can't find anyone that can give me a definate answer. My only concern is if the point distributor shaft would be the same as the electronic distributor shaft. My gut feeling would be yes.
 

rbezdon

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

I think the issue is not electronic vs mechanical points, it is one distributor manufacturer vs another. For example, if you have a Prestolite distributor vs a Pertronix. If you buy a replacement distributor from the same manufacturer as the original, I am pretty confident you could swap the gears. Also, I am not sure what is available for your Fords, I have a SBC and there are tons of parts available for them, not so for Fords. I would just call the Pertronix customer service line.<br /><br /> http://www.pertronix.com/ <br /><br />Under the hot new produts window see the marine billet distributors (Ford is included). Also click the contact us tab in the upper right and the sales phone number is there.
 

dolluper

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3,904
Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

This should answer your coil question straight from pertronix<br />What type of coil can I use with the Ignitor™? How do I check my coils resistance? (12V negative ground only)<br /><br />To determine if your systems coil is compatible with the Ignitor, some measurements should be taken prior to installation of the Ignitor. Caution… While performing this test, never leave the ignition switch on for more than 30 seconds at a time.<br />Set your voltmeter to a 15 or 20-volt scale. Attach an 18 or 20 AWG jumper wire from the negative coil terminal to an engine ground. Attach positive (red) lead of your voltmeter to the positive side of the coil, and the negative (black) lead to an engine ground. Turn the ignition switch to the run position. Now read the voltage at the positive coil terminal. Turn the ignition switch off. If the voltage measured is approximately 12 volts, no resistance wire is present. A typical resistance wire will provide 9 - 6 volts. <br />The next step is to determine the resistance in the primary ignition. Label the wires attached to the coil terminals and note their appropriate location. Make sure that the ignition switch is off and disconnect all wires from the coil. Adjust your meter to the lowest ? ohm scale. If you are using an analog style meter make sure to zero the needle. Measure from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. Write your measurement down.<br />Now the maximum system amperage can be determined, divide your voltage measurement by your coil resistance measurement. This will give you the system current or amperage.<br />Four cylinder engines should not exceed 4 amps. Six and eight cylinder engines should not exceed 8.5 amps. If the total amperage in your system is higher than the amount recommended for your application, you should install a ballast resistor. <br />Example Voltage 12 <br />Resistance 1.5 <br />12 / 1.5 = 8 <br />Total amperage 8
 

tie_one_on

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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

Vatter, I spoke to Pertronix about the new distributors they make. The tech was the the one that said it wouldn't work because of the conter rotation. I didn't ask him about swapping the gears. Maybe I'll call them back.<br /><br />Dolluper, I saw that on their website. My question is more along the line is it worth spending the 30 extra bones for their coil or just use my stock (assuming it passes the test).<br />What do you guys think?
 

Scaaty

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5,180
Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

Originally posted by tie_one_on:<br /> one of my engines is counter rotation and the new electronic distributors won't work
Sierra has part numbers for counter rotating elec Distribs....
 

tie_one_on

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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

Robby6950 I looked at those but my engines are 302 Fords. I didn't see any for them.
 

dolluper

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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

If your coil passes the test of coarse use it.<br />Get the numbers off your dist,it's easier for us to cross reference them.<br />As far as the pertronix ign only problems have found relate to coil problems,always have a spare on hand,stock or otherwise
 

Scaaty

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May 31, 2004
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5,180
Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

Originally posted by tie_one_on:<br /> Robby6950 I looked at those but my engines are 302 Fords. I didn't see any for them.
They should have them for Fords (I don't have the PDF page number). At least I would imagine. Check out Sierra's main page, and take it from there maybe? You will need broadband, and it will take forever
 

skiriver

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Sep 14, 2005
Messages
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Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

I have a 1985 OMC 4.3L 175hp sterndrive. I've recently installed the Ignitor II, the Flamethrower II coil (epoxy), and Flamethrower wires from Pertronix. The II coil helps take advantage of the Ignitor II's ability to increase your spark. This will allow you to increase your plug gap. I bought the parts from Retro Rockets (do a Google search). They also advertise a lowest price guarantee. <br /> When I installed these parts I also replaced the cap, rotor, and plugs. I also did the required mods for OMC. I kept the stock distributor. I didn't see any reason to replace it. After I removed the points plate I cleaned and lubed the inside, arms ,and springs. Seems to work just fine. <br /> I got lots of advice regarding istallation from the forum. The advice was all helpful. The process is pretty straight forward.<br /> I'd recommend the Ignitor II (the "key left on" feature and the varible dwell adjustment) with the II coil. I've been very pleased with the new ignition system. I've had satisfactory performance from idle to WOT. I think you'd be pleased with the change in your boat's performance. As stated by MrBill, I wish I had changed to the Pertronix ignition years ago.
 

tie_one_on

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 27, 2003
Messages
276
Re: Pertronix Ignitor II?

Put the Pertonics II and the Epoxy filled coils on. Now all I have to do is wait until next spring to really give it a run. Thanks guys.<br /><br /> Next project, rebuild them 4 barrel Holleys.
 
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