Timing change with Pertronix install?

[Silly Seville]

I am getting prepared to install the Ignitor I and Flamethrower Coil on the old 120 4 banger, but am curious as to why a change in engine timing would be necessary as a result of the simple change from points to breakerless ignition? Is it because the plugs are expected to be gapped wider, or am I missing a bigger picture?

 

[Don S]

Re: Timing change with Pertronix install?

The electronic conversion is fixed. With points, the timing was variable with point gap.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Timing change with Pertronix install?

Thanks Don, That's what had me shaking my head. I had read many threads in this forum regarding Pertronix installs, and an older post mentioned a change in timing would be necessary...but Pertronix literature did not offer up that opinion. So then, final question...will widening the spark plug gap, from say .35 to .44 provide noticeable improvement in performance?

 

[Don S]

Re: Timing change with Pertronix install?

Don't change the gap.