Ready to buy a pertronix, have a couple questions

Biggredd2069

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I have a 68 Newport 383 4 barrel. I've been reading that the ignitor 1 series can potentially fry out if you leave the ignition in the on position for too long. I've read that may have been on the older models and not necessarily the newer ones. I did a search and tried reading all the articles but didn't see my specific question answered to satisfaction. I emailed their tech support and have yet to hear back. I really think I only need the basic ignitor 1 but if that issue hasn't been resolved do I need to upgrade to the ignitor 2? I want peace of mind of being to have my radio on with the car off and not fry everything and my car isn't done up enough to necessarily warrant the 2 unless that has the added protection I'm looking for. Can't pull the trigger til I feel comfortable I'm buying the right one.

Ignitor 1 1385LS

or Ignitor 2 91385LS
 
Your ignition should not be powered when the key is in the ACCessory position to listen to the radio, which it won't be if the Pertronix-1 is wired as recommended in the instructions.

Points have the same problem BTW. if you leave your ignition in ON/RUN without the engine running and engine was shut off in a spot where the points are just starting to open, they will burn from arcing.
 
OK, maybe I'm just misunderstanding. I'm not at home to see my FSM. What positions are there with the ignition? With my key one click to the right is acc (and this would not fry anything left on?), and then further to the right starts the car. Is it leaving it that one extra click past acc without trying to start it where the issue is? what position is considered leaving it on that would fry it out?
 
OK, got it!!!!!! extremely helpful. I may have been guilty of leaving it in the on/run position for longer than I should have once or twice. BTW will that happen with any pertronix model if left in the on position? or does the 2 provide any protection in the event you do accidentally leave it in on/run?
 
I bought the Ignitor II, after possibly frying I while working on my hidden headlights.
I find there is always times when you need the car in run position, but not RUNNING,
so Ignitor II for me.
 
I'm going to jump in with a different sort of question. Do you use vacuum advance with the Pertronix? Mine isn't hooked up, and when I hooked it up, it ran worse than without it hooked up. I've just used an electronic distributor, so the Pertronix is new to me. I haven't had time to look up any info, hope to tonight, but I any of you know, it would help me out.
 
I bought the Ignitor II, after possibly frying I while working on my hidden headlights.
I find there is always times when you need the car in run position, but not RUNNING,
so Ignitor II for me.
As I understand it, the Ignitor II has an over current protection circuit that should prevent frying it if left in "run". I'd still refrain from leaving the key in "run" position anyway... No matter what ignition system.

IMHO, the Ignitor II is enough better all around to not consider using the Ignitor I.
 
I'm going to jump in with a different sort of question. Do you use vacuum advance with the Pertronix? Mine isn't hooked up, and when I hooked it up, it ran worse than without it hooked up. I've just used an electronic distributor, so the Pertronix is new to me. I haven't had time to look up any info, hope to tonight, but I any of you know, it would help me out.
It should work with the Pertronix. There's no reason for it not to.

A couple things... First is if the vacuum advance is bad, you could be creating a vacuum leak. The other is the timing is just set wrong and it's too far advanced when the vacuum advance is connected.
 
Far more electronic ignition conversions fail because of poor wiring connections than anything else. Electronics do not like any kind of arcing. Take care to be sure you connections are clean and tight. Do not use wire nuts!

Dave
 
It should work with the Pertronix. There's no reason for it not to.

A couple things... First is if the vacuum advance is bad, you could be creating a vacuum leak. The other is the timing is just set wrong and it's too far advanced when the vacuum advance is connected.
Thanks for clarifying, that's what I thought, but I have no experience with Pertronix, and have passed over most threads involving them. I am chasing through my issues, and timing is not known yet. Fixed one issue, not ignition related, and got a big improvement. I pulled the timing light out yesterday, and will get it sorted out over the weekend.
 
Don't they now have a multi-strike unit that's "Ignitor III"?
 
I'm going to jump in with a different sort of question. Do you use vacuum advance with the Pertronix? Mine isn't hooked up, and when I hooked it up, it ran worse than without it hooked up. I've just used an electronic distributor, so the Pertronix is new to me. I haven't had time to look up any info, hope to tonight, but I any of you know, it would help me out.
Ran worse all around or at certain times? What do you have it hooked up to as the source of vacuum?
 
Ran worse all around or at certain times?
Ran worse when it was hooked to the timed vacuum port.

What do you have it hooked up to as the source of vacuum?
See above, now to the open air. After I moved the throttle cable off the kickdown linkage, it moved under power much better. But it's running differently than it did before, so more tuning. Checking timing is next in the list.
 
Ran worse when it was hooked to the timed vacuum port.


See above, now to the open air. After I moved the throttle cable off the kickdown linkage, it moved under power much better. But it's running differently than it did before, so more tuning. Checking timing is next in the list.
I meant like at idle, hesitation when accel, steady state, etc?
 
I plugged in the vacuum advance, and it was more sluggish when trying to accelerate. Felt like it was going to fall on it's face. Unplugged it, and it had more pep. I have since cleaned the carb of it's old nasty fuel but have not touched it tuning wise.

I just thought it was odd that it ran better unhooked then hooked up. And not have any experience with Pertronix (is there some other brand product?) I figured I'd ask.
 
I have the Ignitor I, and vacuum advance. She runs quite nicely. In fact, I haven't started it in a couple days, maybe I'll do a startup video today, for my own entertainment.
 
Stumbles when the throttle is opened? Sounds like an accel pump issue? Or, if it's a metering-rod carb, metering rods that aren't moving as engine vacuum varies?
 
Don't they now have a multi-strike unit that's "Ignitor III"?

They do but overkill for our cars. I can't ever imagine the Polara running over 4000 rpm unless I start shifting manually and forget to shift out of 1st. I run the II in the five cars off a relay.
 
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