Putting Pertronix unit into an Autolite distributor

[767Jockey]

I'm thinking of doing this Pertronix into an Autolite distributor conversion. A few questions I have are:

- Can this Autolite distributor be recurved? If so how do I do it? I see Summit carries a bunch of recurve kits, but none for a Autolite. Any input or ideas on this are appreciated.

- This distributor is a vacuum advance unit. How can I check the vacuum advance on the bench to see if it worls before I attempt to modify thsi distributor?

-I have a MSD 6AL box in the car already. How can I hook this MSD box to the Pertronix / Autolite distributor? The car is alrady wired for a MSD box / MSD distributor setup. Do I have to ad any more wiring to make this Pertronix / MSD Box setup work?
Thanks!

[PANAVIA]

767 --

You can do all of the above.

1. Distributor Recurving. - there are spring kits out there and weights . I cant speak to what kit is best, but it probably will be a mixture of parts. springs, bushings and weights.

you might need to dig up some notes in this area and see what was "Stock" and make progressive changes /tunes to find the spring/weights mixture that suits your setup.

Also-- are you sure the bushings (berarings) and endplay are within spec >? == --IE not worn as to taint your ignition curve work.

2. Vac advance - depending on the dishpot used (single or dual port) it should move the distributor advance 7 to 12 degrees when hit with vacuum. The way to test it is with the engine running and with a timing light apply vacuum with a vacuum tool (hand pump) progressively to ascertain the travel , in degrees of timing advance.

The other thing to keep in mind ( if this is an older unit) is that sometimes the rubber bladder inside the adv unit becomes hard with age, or brittle and will tear.

The idea being is if you can apply vacuum with a tool and have the bladder hold vacuum for 10mins.

Example -- mark position of arm with marker, (engine off dist cap removed) apply vacuum and wait 10 mins , if the arm holds its place, you are fine , if it slips back , well--replace it.

The MSD guys have an install guide on how to hook their items up to a pertronix -- no big deal, works fine with about 5/10 mins of wiring.

hope this helps.

---Steve

[Argess]

I don't have much to offer, but if you can get a Ford P/N from your distributor, I might be able to find the vacuum advance figures at various levels of "in Hg". You need a vacuum pump (Mighty-Vac or equiv), a calculator, calipers, a piece of stiff wire and a Sharpie marker.

Make a pointer with the wire by wrapping it around the rotor button and have it extend to the edge of the distributor. Make a mark on the dist housing where the wire ends. Connect the Mighty-Vac to the vacuum canisiter and apply the vacuum level you want to test. The rotor button will move. Make a new mark. Measure the difference between the marks. The advance is equal to the distance moved divided by the circumference of the housing all multiplied by 360. Circumference is easly determined by measuring the housing diameter and multiplying by Pi (3.14)

As to the Pertronix, best investment I made so far. Replaced the dual point plate with the Pertronix unit and much smoother acceleration.

[convincor]

BR Motorsports (AKA)ignitioneering reworks stock distributors, adds a lower bushing to the shaft, (factory only uses a upper) installs new vacume advance, breakerplate and whatever else needed and installed the Pertronix unit. They also set the advance curve up. I've had it in my car for three years now and not one problem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTtsDx28fu4

[767Jockey]

I sent them an email based on your info - thanks!