I also use the Accel Point Eliminator with no problems on my '58 Ford Custom 300 with a 292. Here a link to the guy I got mine from:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ACCEL-POINTS-ELIMINATOR-KIT-1957-1974-FORD-V-8-2020-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b7febb30QQitemZ170590649136QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I still don't understand why the Petronix unit is 3x more expensive.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

Don't feel like the lone ranger...Double Duh for me - there was this moment of "insight" when I caught on - but before that a long period where it was "magic".....

The fixed dwell interval set-up translates to a time of charging the coil - that steadily declines as the revs go up. It turns out that the 26° dwell is "protecting" the transistor "on" time at idle - the longer heating interval that's possible there, not the short buzz when the rpm is upstairs. So - with the limitation of 1.2 OHMs minimum in the coil primary, the big amps that can damage the transistor happen down at 500 rev's or so - you (and the engine) would like more dwell on the other end - but the chip "isn't that smart".

The next generation of chips - like the GM HEI or the Pertronix II alter the dwell to control coil amperage. At idle it drops to something low like 15° and as the revs go up - the dwell goes up. You can see it on a dwell meter too - as high as 35°. It can then give more performance with the same transistor - it just "saves" the full thermal capacity for use at a higher rpm. The next thing you run up against is time - there comes an rpm where you can't extend the dwell any more without "stepping" on the next cycle. So to get more performance, you would then need for current to flow more freely - less OHMs in the coil primary......and so on. 

The GM chips (actually I think a Motorola product is buried in there) are pretty good performance pieces and have been used in every sort of aftermarket device - to do the same thing. For many years they had a limitation of 5.5 amps at idle (better have a good coil to match) that tapered off to 2.5 at 3000 revs. Now they are up to about 7.5 amps max with a similar drop off. Probably developed a better power transistor to provide the "switch". 

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve,

Well, that's another "duh" moment for me. I have a dwell meter I use with my old points setup, but I never did think about using that (to see where it's at) on the ACCEL modified dizzy I have. Sounds like a good idea.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Guys - these points eliminator chips basically operate much like the points and dizzy cam did before them - they turn on the coil for a certain "dwell" period and the coil is charged to that point (by operating a power transistor that closes the circuit) then it is opened to "fire" by induction. The instructions and spec's I found imply that the power transistor in the Accel 2020 can survive with a conventional coil down to 1.2 OHMs resistance.

A good old fashioned "dwell meter" will show you what the chip is designed to do - by simply hooking it up like you had points in there. For instance - the Ford Duraspark controller uses a chip that provides a fixed 26° dwell. Chances are pretty good that the early Pertronix Ignitor and the Accel 2020 do pretty much the same thing. Try them and see.... 

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

For safety's sake, yes. Although the instructions do say that if you run one of their coils, you won't need an external resistor. Maybe you could just run your current coil if the specs are the same as the Accel coils??? Don't know about that one. I still run just a stock Ford coil. The ignition would probably do better if I upgraded to a coil with more juice, but I will let my father-in-law take care of that one right now.

As an aside, I do have another ACCEL 2020 setup that I plan to put in my blown 292's distributor, just haven't gotten around to it yet. Still running original points, resistor, Ford coil and all.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Daniel;

I looked at the Accel 2020 set up on line. I'm currently running a Pertronix with a BlasterII Coil so I could do away with the ballast resistor. For the blower motor I'm building now, I'm looking at other options (even though I have no complaints with the Pertronix). So, do you run a ballast resistor with your Accel set-up?

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Chas - send me a PM with an email address and I'll send you the PDF print. It is a necessary evil when you are trying to convert the Autolite style of points distributor to use a "reluctor". The cam is surface hardened and we usually take most of it off with a grinder before starting to machine it away (saves cutter inserts).

I would suggest that if you aren't going to use the Duraspark II trigger for an MSD box - that you consider making up a mount / heat sink for a GM type HEI "4 pin module". It will give you the most ignition power for the least money - and its fairly easy to hide if you don't want it seen. I'll send you the diagram for that too - eliminates the ballast resistor.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve, I am in the throws of converting Y-Block points to Duraspark. I have both distributors and need some direction as how to machine the points cam. I had seen sometime ago you had offered to send a member a pdf with a blue print as how to deal with the machining of the point cam. I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank, Charles

Everybody has a different opinion on this. I have the Duraspark with MSD 6AL on the red car, It has worked flawlessly for 4 years now. Also I can pick up a replacement at any AutoZone/NAPA/Advance auto store anywhere if it dies.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I have a Pertronix in my 62 Uni's 292. I couldn't be happier (Well aside from a 3x2 setup to go with it). Definately a ton of Bang for the Buck. Bout 110% reliable too.

55 Birdman - those wheels just make that car!

1964 F 100 LWB Roller 5.0 & T-5

2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ

2009 Harley FXSTB Night Train



"I still have a Y block - it's just not in anything yet."