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By 2721955meteor - 4 Years Ago
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getting rid of the ford dura spark, hard to get parts and, even tho I was a fan since changed my support. is ther any issues installing pertronix in my ford dist. thanks for any tips
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By Dobie - 4 Years Ago
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Easy peasy, just follow the instructions. You may find it easier to do with the dizzy on the bench.
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By FORD DEARBORN - 4 Years Ago
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Dura Spark in a Y-block? If so, then your distributdor should be the latest y-block distributor with the triangular cast neck that was converted from points/condenser to duraspark some time in the past. You would thereforee haveto go back to points cam and pivot plate in order to accept the magnet wheel and pickup assemble of a Pertronix. Unless Pertronix now makes a conversion for a Duraspark distributor. Or, find a good Y-block distributor. If it's just the Duraspark box that's an issue, simply replace that with an MSD 6A box. The Duraspark will pulse an MSD box nicely by just a simple wireing change. The MSD box comes with full instructions on how to do this exact thing. This may save some time and possibly money.
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By 2721955meteor - 4 Years Ago
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thanks, have the parts to put the points cam back in the distributor,as you indicate the ring sits over the point cam
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By Florida_Phil - 4 Years Ago
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A Pertronix conversion is one of the easiest and most cost effective upgrades you can do to a Y-Block. My 55 Tbird had it's original Load--A-Matic distributor when I bought it. It ran like crap. I found a 1957 Ford 272 distributor in good condition and swapped out the points and condenser for the Pertrontix unit. If you buy the right Pertronix coil, you can ditch the resistor too. Coupled with a modern carburetor, the distributor and carb swap transformed my motor. I never adjust the points and it runs great. Just so you know, most of the auto store points and confessors you buy today are Chinese Junk. If there are any Chinese on this forum, I apologize. Perhaps they are making them on Mars for all I know? Where ever they come from, they are pure garbage.
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By one piece at a time - 4 Years Ago
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You might consider what I did. Purchase the Pertronix D135700 y block distributor. All the connivence of the MSD and half the cost and it’s new not a rebuilt cardone Bought mine from Summit and couldn’t be happier.
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By 57RancheroJim - 4 Years Ago
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If you buy the Pertronix combo that includes the coil that most people sell it has an oil filled coil that is best mounted vertically. People have had issues with those burning out when mounted horizontally. If you buy the unit and coil separately you can get an epoxy filled coil that can be mounted horizontally and can withstand more vibration..
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By Daniel Jessup - 4 Years Ago
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Don't rule out the ACCEL 2020 kit - they work in all 1957-74 Ford distributors, are much cheaper than Pertronix, and are more readily available at most parts stores. For daily drivers, this kit has been my go to when guys want to replace their points/condenser units.
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By 312YBlock - 4 Years Ago
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Whatever coil you decide on check the primary and secondary resistance right out of the box. My experience with MSD coils has been primary as advertised but the epoxy filled secondary off by + several thousand OHMS (I tested 3 on the counter all way high). I have an MSD 6A and found the MSD8202 oil filled .7 OHMS primary resistance to spec but the secondary off by +1000, that’s the one I installed. High secondary resistance defeats the MSD. An oil filled coil wired correctly should be fine if installed with the polls horizontal to each other, after all back in the day that’s all there was. 🚙
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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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Aren't the original coils oil-filled and mounted horizontally?
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By 57RancheroJim - 4 Years Ago
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55blacktie (12/4/2021)
Aren't the original coils oil-filled and mounted horizontally? Yes they were. I don't know why there is a problem with the Pertronix. These wwere on cars running long distance not just from home to the local cruise. I've had the epoxy coil on mounted horiontally for about 8000 miles with no problem so far.
My friend has two MSD coils bad right out of the box also, it was on that other brand car but that shouldn't make a difference.
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By 2721955meteor - 4 Years Ago
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great amount of info, thanks to the help of all those who responded. cliff
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By Florida_Phil - 4 Years Ago
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The coil I'm using is a Pertronix 1.5 Ohm Flame Thrower with no ballast resistor. Never had a problem with it.
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By 312YBlock - 4 Years Ago
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If the coil has an internal resistance equal to or higher than that required by the electronic module replacing the points that is sufficient. Adding a resistor will rob you of spark. If you have an MSD 6x installed the coil has to be compliant with the MSD box since the coil no longer talks to the distributor.
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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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Anything you buy, Pertronix, MSD, etc. will come with installation instructions that include required components for compatibility.
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By Ted - 4 Years Ago
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Ditto on using the manufactuers’ recommended coil and/or ohm rating.
When converting from points ignition to Pertronix, I prefer the Ignitor II and Ignitor III modules over the Ignitor I. The Ignitor I series does require the resistor on 12 volt systems and the Ignitor I is also prone to failure if the key is left on for extended periods without the engine running. The Pertronix units do tend to be tricky in getting that initial distributor timing dialed in correctly before that first start up simply due to the magnet ring not being obvious in the magnet locations within that ring. For that, I will take a paper clip and place it on that ring at all eight locations and mark each magnet location. The distributor can then be rotated to appropriately align the magnet ring with the module for that first start up assuming the engine is coming up on the #1 compression stroke and the damper is located at 25° BTDC.
If I have any complaint with the Pertronix units, it is with the engine not having that snappy start as soon as the key is switched to the start position versus what you will see with a breaker points, MSD, Mallory Unilite, or Accel electronic ignition.
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By Tedster - 4 Years Ago
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Pertronix instructions for Ignitor I are contradictory in that they recommend leaving any ballast resistor connected when retaining a factory or stock type ignition coil. When using "their" ignition coil though, they recommend disconnecting or bypassing the extra resistance. The primary ignition circuit overall for the ignitor I requires a minimum of 1.5 ohms. It's been a reliable unit for me. So were points, but they put the distributor all the way back at the firewall! Whose idea was that!?
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By 312YBlock - 4 Years Ago
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One thing I like about MSD It protects the Mallory E-Spark/Unilite from power surges.
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By Lord Gaga - 4 Years Ago
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Can a Pertronix unit be used as a trigger for a MSD 6AL or even for a HEI module?
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By 312YBlock - 4 Years Ago
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Best to check with MSD
MSD Customer Support (915) 857-5200, (915) 855-7123 from 7 - 5 (MST).
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By 312YBlock - 4 Years Ago
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Best to check with MSD
MSD Customer Support (915) 857-5200, (915) 855-7123 from 7 - 5 (MST).
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By charliemccraney - 4 Years Ago
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According to the instructions, Pertronix 2 and 3 can be used as a trigger for external boxes. They don't say either way for 1.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0247/6913/4628/files/1281.pdf
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0247/6913/4628/files/91281.pdf
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0247/6913/4628/files/71281.pdf
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By FORD DEARBORN - 4 Years Ago
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Pertronix will trigger an MSD 6A or 6AL bo,x possibly others too. I drove with such a setup for a whole summer.
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By 55blacktie - 4 Years Ago
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Pertronix has a rev-limiter box that's compatible with the Pertronix ll.
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By 2721955meteor - 4 Years Ago
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2721955meteor (12/3/2021)
thanks, have the parts to put the points cam back in the distributor,as you indicate the ring sits over the point cam
installing petronix in the later distributors(dura spark) is very difficult. I am now looking for older dist 57and newer. the Xerox looks so simple in the correct dist
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By FORD DEARBORN - 4 Years Ago
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It's been a while since I've been into one but if you have the breaker points cam and pivot plate that was originally in that distributor, it should swap back in. Or leave the duraspark distributor in place and add an MSD 6A or similar box. The Duraspark distributor is an excellent trigger device and plays well with an MSD box. You will then have one of the hottest ignition systems possible and the duraspark trigger coil is very reliable and available. Hope this helps,...................
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By rladams65 - 4 Years Ago
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one piece at a time (12/4/2021)
You might consider what I did. Purchase the Pertronix D135700 y block distributor. All the connivence of the MSD and half the cost and it’s new not a rebuilt cardone Bought mine from Summit and couldn’t be happier.
I was looking at that for 1962 Mercury with a 292 ... did you "upgrade" the coil also?
And did you have to (or were doing it anyway) upgrade to an alternator (instead of the 30a generator I currently have)?
Regards
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By Nat Santamaria - 3 Years Ago
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Hey Ted.
I have a 1957 TBIrd. 312 all stock with stock distributor. When I bought the car in 2006 it already had the Pertronix ignitor 1 installed along with a Ford coil and running with ballast resistor. Someone suggested running Flamethrower coil without ballast resistor. the performance was quite snappy. Then after 2 years the coil failed and replaced with same one Flame-thrower 1. Lasted about 15 minutes. Got exchanged for epoxy filled. It lasted a couple of days. The coil was extremely hot to the touch. If it hooked up through ballast resistor-no problem however the performance was not quite as crisp. You suggested running ignitor 2 with matching flamethrower 2. Can I run the flamethrower 2 without ballast resistor without it overheating and failing.. I would like to run it without ballast resistor for the better performance.
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By Nat Santamaria - 3 Years Ago
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Hey Phil
Are you running the ignitor 1 and Flamethrower 1 coil? You have no issue with the coil getting too hot & failing? My car ran great with that setup however coil would fail. Really hot the touch. If I hook it up through the resistor it works but defeats the purpose.
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By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
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Nat, did you contact Pertronix? If you followed their installation instructions, they should cover failed parts. It comes down to either faulty installation/faulty parts.
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By paul2748 - 3 Years Ago
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Check the instructions on the Pertronix. If I remember correctly, the I unit requires the ballast resistor while with the II it is optional if using the Pertronix coil.
Nat - a word of advice. Don't piggyback on a prior thread (especially an old one) even if the subject is relevent. Always start a new thread.
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By 57RancheroJim - 3 Years Ago
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I switched to the Pertronix II and epoxy coil with no ballast resistor few years ago, 12000 miles now with no problems.
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By Nat Santamaria - 3 Years Ago
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Hey Jim is that the Flamethrower 2 coil you installed?
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By 57RancheroJim - 3 Years Ago
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Nat Santamaria (4/26/2022)
Hey Jim is that the Flamethrower 2 coil you installed? Yes it is, sorry for the late reply.
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By Tedster - 3 Years Ago
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Never had any problems deleting the ballast with Pertronix. Millions in service this way, and the spark output is noticeably hotter due to greater input voltage in the primary.
If you read the instructions, they suggest retaining it when using a stock OEM type ignition coil. The type 1 or original recipe Ignitor can handle approx 8 amperes through the primary ignition circuit. Measure the total ohms resistance of the primary ignition circuit and see what you get.
If stuff is burning up, then that points to a problem of course. An ignition scope would probably clear up the source of the trouble quickly I bet.
What kind of spark plug wires are you using? Solid core plug wires are not compatible for example.
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By Nat Santamaria - 3 Years Ago
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I installed the the Ignitor II and Flamethrower II last night. Car idles very smooth. Better pick-up on acceleration. It takes a few more starter rotations to fire up. Coils seems to run much cooler. I am carrying my old 1.5 ohm coil as a spare. The ignitor II needs the 0.6 ohm coil. In an emergency is it OK to run the 1.5 ohm. Will it damage the Ignitor II module?
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