Pertronix Ignitor III

Installed it about a year ago, when it first came out. So far so good. But the initial install was a pain, as the unit was not getting enough power. So had to run a primary line from the battery, that was switched with a relay. After that... it worked and continues to work like a charm, tach included.
Cheers JC71

Jack,

Thanks. I found your thread about it. My car has the resistive ignition wire bypassed and uses a ballast resister that I will be able to bypass easily. I’m not sure if I can mechanically install it in my Accel dual point distributor that is designed for racing applications, so we will see. The Ignitor III is the first unit Pertronix has made that is thin enough to possibly fit, so I thought it was worth a try. My Accel points are the same shape and design as 60s vintage GM points so I’m using a GM kit. I have a couple of spare Accel distributors so I’ll be able to work out the mechanics on the bench. If I can make it work then I’ll need to buy a spare Ignitor III for backup parts.

In a way, I hate to give up my dual points, we’ve been very good friends for twelve years.

Mike

Mike,
I am still running the OEM dual point. The car runs fine, but the points are 15+ years old.

I am also contemplating the Pertronix unit. But only want it if it is plug and play. The dual points sure are reliable.
Jeff

Jeff,

For sure points are the real deal. If I can engineer a way to install the Ignitor III, I think I’ll set it up so I could drop the primary points in easily and keep a “points” fall back kit in the car. Don’t trust this new sparky stuff. :-)

Mike

Looks like I have the mechanical details worked out and the modifications to the distributor have been pretty simple and easy to do. Again, I’m installing this in a distributor not supported by Pertronix, thus the extra work. The Pertronix Ignitor III is usually just a drop in installation in supported distributors.

Mike

Mike,
It sounds like you are well along with this project.

Were you aware that Accel makes points conversion for their own distributors? Accel is owned by the same group (Mr. Gasket) that produces Mallory parts.

I’m going to do a web page on Pantera Place on how I did this but for now here are a couple of before and after pictures. Note that this Accel distributor is a very special animal and no one makes a conversion for it. I would have just bought a new distributor but I didn’t build this engine and I didn’t what to take a chance and have the oil pump drive fall in the oil pan.

Mike

With the Pertronix Ignitor III installed.

Mike

The plate on top of the cam has a roller bearing that precisely holds the shaft and the cam.

Mike

It is all working now and can be seen at http://www.panteraplace.com/page223.htm The first unit I received had a temperature related problem that caused a miss after the engine heated up to full operating temperature and driven awhile. It was either the Ignitor III or some problem it was causing with my original Mallory coil. The tach would also intermittently jump around at idle like it was missing pulses. I replaced the first Ignitor III with a new unit and installed the matching Pertronix low resistance Blaster III coil that is made for the application and it works great. Pertronix tells me that their units seldom if ever have heat problems so I’m a bit lost on what was going on.

I have decades of experience using points so I know how to get the best from them and I was somewhat surprised with how much better the engine runs. It even sounds different!! Sounds like a Slick50 ad but it was very surprising!!

Mike

Here is a interesting test http://www.vintageperformance....trorockets/track.htm

Mike

After running the Pertronix Ignitor III for a few weeks, I decided to add an Ignition relay to bypass the ignition load on the ignition switch and through the relay provide the Ignitor III fused power directly from the battery lead on the starter solenoid. I wasn't having any problems feeding the power to the Ignitor III through the ignition switch but it seemed like a good idea. The details are at the bottom of the page http://www.panteraplace.com/page223.htm The direct load to the battery is so small it doesn’t seem to cause the AMP gauge to show incorrect charge.

Other than it being hotter than heck in the garage today, it was a pretty easy project.

A few weeks ago, I also changed out my Holley 600 for a new 650 and installed new Autolite 25 plugs gaped at .040. Found it interesting that I had to go to a taller air filter to clear the 650 but was able to get it under the screen with a little adjustment on the back of the screen. Could have got a 750 for a bit less money but the 650 seemed like the best match for my modified engine.

FWIW the new Holley 600s do not have externally adjustable float level anymore.

Mike

Link to the carb swap http://www.panteraplace.com/page225.htm

Mike

Mike,
Why the Pertronix 3 and not the 2? Is the only difference the rev limiter? (Which would be of no value to someone who drives no more than 5 miles from home at 25 MPH

I know you bench tested the install with a spare. How difficult was this install through the dog door ?
Jeff

Jeff

I used the Ignitor III because it was thin and I needed that for it to fit in the Accel distributor and it also does multi spark at all RPMs (BTW, the MSD only does that in the lower RPMs). The Ignitor II, depending on the car uses a plastic part that fits over the distributer cam that has eight magnets in it that has been a failure point for some people. The Ignitor III reluctance head fits very close to the distributer cam and triggers directly on the cam high points.

I have fairly long arms so installing the Ignitor III without removing the distributor was pretty easy. Much less effort than changing points. Of course I did all of my mod work on the bench so it was just a bolt in process when I put it in the car. For a stock Pantera distributor it would be an easy plug and play process. You will need to magnetize two of your screw drivers to install the four screws though. It is also a good idea to cover the carb when you are working with small parts so I use a plastic cover that came with the carb.

See you at the Donut Shop tommrrow.



Mike

Mike,
Sounds like the 3 unit is a better made. Do you still have the boxes from the unit and coil? I understand certain Pertronix parts are now" Made in China" I will stay with my OEM dual point if this is true.

Jeff
"No known Chinese crap in my Pantera"

Sorry I can not make DD. I am helping a friend of my daughter's find a used car.

The Ignitor III is made in the good old USA! I don’t buy Chinese junk. If it is Chinese, it is something I really don’t need. My new MSD 8.5mm spark plug wires are made in the USA too!

How is the new Mustang doing? The 6er is a great choice for kids and the GT for big kids like me.

Mike

Mike,
Check the coil. They are Chinese produced. That is what I think the Pertronix rep told me.

PS: Daughter loves the stang!

Jeff,

They best not have sold me a piece of junk Chinese coil filled with all kinds of cancer causing chemicals that will leach out and kill my family and our cat. The box has an American flag, in color, with “United we Stand” printed on it.

Mike

Some follow-up my Pertronix Ignitor III project. As I posted earlier the first unit worked fine for awhile and then started acting like it was temperature sensitive. I sent that one back and installed a new one. That one worked fine for a few weeks and then started misfiring at low RPM. Sent that one back and they said it had a bad power transistor. Been using my backup unit for a few weeks and it seems to be fine. All of them were replaced under warranty and Pertronix has been very helpful. They insist that heat is not a problem for the Ignitor III.

Mike

Mike,
So let me see if I understand ……………..

You had a perfectly working dual point that had never given you one problem in over 15 years.
You replaced it with a new electronic unit that has now failed twice.

And this is an improvement? No wonder you will not drive your car more than 5 miles from home!

Thanks for being the guinea pig on this Mike.
I think I will just stick with the OEM dual point.


Jeff

I've run the Pertronix, the earlier model not Ignitor III for many years with out any problems. Works for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Pantera 4134:
Mike,
So let me see if I understand ……………..

You had a perfectly working dual point that had never given you one problem in over 15 years.
You replaced it with a new electronic unit that has now failed twice.

And this is an improvement? No wonder you will not drive your car more than 5 miles from home!

Thanks for being the guinea pig on this Mike.
I think I will just stick with the OEM dual point.


Jeff

I’ve spent enough time on this that I could have changed my points 100 times! I guess I’m exaggerating that a bit! When it did fail it didn’t fail completely. But when it is running it runs better than ever though. Points for my car aren’t cheap at $50 a set so that is a plus.

Mike

Want to make it clear that I’m not complaining and in the end the Pertronix Ignitor III and the Blaster III Coil will be a much better ignition than the points.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Pantera 1887:
Want to make it clear that I’m not complaining and in the end the Pertronix Ignitor III and the Blaster III Coil will be a much better ignition than the points.

Mike

Sorry Mike. But I can not agree with you here.

How is a system that is already proven to be faulty better than points ? Can you give one example where points failure has stranded you?

Maybe when the Pertronix works it gives a modest improvement in performance. But peace of mind is worth a lot more than a few extra HP.

I do not think there is any Pantera owner who wants to be switching out their distributor’s guts on the side of the road.

Jeff

Hey Folks:

I have the pertronix III on my car... it did take a little extra effort to set up, ie had to run a direct line with a relay. But once that was sorted, it has performed very well. No issues. Basically you get all the benefits of the more expensive systems, MSD, etc, for a lot less.
JC71

quote:

Originally posted by Pantera 4134:

quote:

Originally posted by Pantera 1887:
Want to make it clear that I’m not complaining and in the end the Pertronix Ignitor III and the Blaster III Coil will be a much better ignition than the points.

Mike

Sorry Mike. But I can not agree with you here.

How is a system that is already proven to be faulty better than points ? Can you give one example where points failure has stranded you?

Maybe when the Pertronix works it gives a modest improvement in performance. But peace of mind is worth a lot more than a few extra HP.

I do not think there is any Pantera owner who wants to be switching out their distributor’s guts on the side of the road.

Jeff

I love those old points and I have them sealed away in a ziplock bag. I get them out from time to time to clean them and look them over for old times!! Still have one brand new set in a sealed box too.

As part of the Pertronix trouble shooting process I actually got to re-install one set of points and my old coil to verify that the problem was really caused by the Pertronix.

Mike

quote:

The box has an American flag, in color, with “United we Stand” printed on it.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson, 4-7-1775

Have you seen the American flags that are made overseas?

A flag on a box is NOT proof of "Made in USA."

Larry

You think the Chinese that work for $.25 per piece and are taking all the American jobs would try to fool us!

Mike

quote:

You think the Chinese that work for $.25 per piece and are taking all the American jobs

First, that is more like $.25 per day.

Second, they are not taking them,

"our" corporations are giving them to the Chinese.

And in the process, our corporations are managing to cook their books and avoid paying any taxes here at home.

Loss of jobs + loss of corporate taxes = BIG problems for the American working class.

Larry

It is too bad that Americans cannot see the forest for the trees. I try my very best not to buy Chinese made junk. But from the look of Wal-Mart’s parking lot, I’m in the minority.

Mike

quote:

It is too bad that Americans cannot see the forest for the trees. I try my very best not to buy Chinese made junk. But from the look of Wal-Mart’s parking lot, I’m in the minority.

Indeed, Mike.

Long ago, I wrote off Walmart and Sam's Club. Saving a few bucks at the expense of my Nation's financial health is not on my list of patriotic actions.

Larry