Conversion to breakerless ignition

[Paul Sutphen]

I have identified the correct "Ignitor " module that is manufactured by Petronix to replace the dual points in my Mallory distributer. Presently, my Smith Tach lead is fed off the the low voltage side of the coil. ERA electrical diagram says that the Smith Tach is triggered by current. Question: will the tach work with the new module, particularly if there is no ballast resister and a higher current through the coil? Is the move to rid myself of points a correct move or am I asking for additional problems? I have had minimal problems with points but I get a dual image at full advance on the strobe light mark. Also, my spark with the present set-up is insufficient to drive through newer style high resistance plug leads. Comments are welcome. Thanks in advance.

[Bob Putnam]

Paul,

Are you sure you've got a current triggered tach? I thought by your car we were using points-triggered units from Nisonger.

The points-triggered tach should work with the Pertronics. I'm not sure about the current-triggered unit. The latter were made by Moma (505-766-6661) who might know about the compatibility.

[John Montgomery]

Paul:

I too have a 427 with Smith's guages. My distributer is a stock Ford, non-vacuum advance, dual points type. I switched to Pertronix and haven't had the first problem. They've been in over a year-and-a-half and work perfect. No problems with the tach either. I would strongly recommend them.

John

[Monster]

Same here John,
I put my Pertronix in when I put the car on the road 3years ago in June. I'm now switching over my other 2 "points" ignition cars to Pertronix. Paul, you might want to call Pertronix support directly, when I was first putting in my setup they were very helpful in providing the information on installing with my MSD. (now a common setup, but not so common when I was doing my install)

good luck..........great product,

Mike "monster"

[A Snake]

Just a thought.....how about just getting the Mallory Unilite setup to replace the points? I used the Unilite in my 427 and had 0 problems with it. If I'm not mistaken, there is a direct conversion available direct from Mallory. Not too much money either.

I had a Smith's tach also and the lead went to the negative side of the coil. No MSD, just a hot coil and 8mm wires. No spark scatter from the distributor at high rpm either. Engine made 451hp through the mufflers.....500+ open exhaust. All dyno proven.

Hope this offers another possibility for you.

Al