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.

great amount of info, thanks to the help of all those who responded. cliff

The coil I'm using is a Pertronix 1.5 Ohm Flame Thrower with no ballast resistor.  Never had  a problem with it.

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.


1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY

Anything you buy, Pertronix, MSD, etc. will come with installation instructions that include required components for compatibility. 

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.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

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!?

One thing I like about MSD It protects the Mallory E-Spark/Unilite from power surges.

1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY

Can a Pertronix unit be used as a trigger for a MSD 6AL or even for a HEI module?

"FREE SAMPLE"

Best to check with MSD

MSD Customer Support (915) 857-5200, (915) 855-7123 from 7 - 5 (MST).

1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY