I've run both. The Pertronix conversion gave about five years of good performance until it suddenly died without warning (as others advised it might). Then went back to original Ford dual point distributor with points, and IMHO it runs just as good. It also has the added advantage of allowing me to hook up a vintage Sun tach. Overall, for my car and the way I drive it, there was no noticeable difference in performance between the two, but think I'll stay with points. Of course, ymmv.
I use a Ford Thick Film ignition module triggered by points. I also use the Ford coil. It throws a hell of a spark. The module is mounted on an aluminum heat sink in a cool place and should last forever. The points act only as a switch and should also last forever. I put a dwell meter on once a year to make sure the points rubbing block is not worn. So far I have done one car this way. The parts cost $5 at a junkyard. I got a spare module and heat sink, brand new, for $5 at a swap meet. So it will be easy enough to convert another. If I want to I can carry a spare module in the car. Or pick one up at any parts store or junk yard. Or if it fails I can disconnect it and have an ordinary points ignition. Cheap, simple, trouble free and works like gang busters. What more could you want?
No reason not to go Pertronix, the outward appearance still looks like points. It's just more reliable in the long run. But, there's something to be said about driving and maintaining a points car. It's almost a lost art. My dad taught me, but I'm all for electronic ignition, especially on a hot motor.
MSD doesn't count here. Now if the poll was MSD or Points for horsepower and max performance from an ignition source in a race app. then MSD hands down. As far as the statement about fireing off the car. My point set up fires with just a hit of the key and runs just fine.
I've had good luck with the Pertronix. I'm going to install one in the Mallory dual point-tachdrive distributor going in my BBC gasser project.
Exactly...but be prepared to never have to use the points. I've been running Pertronics in all of my cars and boats for years without one failure. I use to carry an extra distributor when I was using the old style Pertonics, but never needed it. The new style is sooo much easier to install, and it's nice not having to carry a whole a whole spair set-up with the module or points so easy to change...again, never been necesary!
Points in both my old trucks. I did have two Pertronix units in GM trucks I owned a few years agne unit failed on a road trip.I put points back in both of them,they ran the same,Chevy 261's
If you are running an alternator I think that using petronix is no big deal. But if you are running a generator I would advise against it. If you lose any voltage, petronix will lose fire. My model A 6volt, running a generator was not any good with the petronix. Went back to points and no problems. Plus I would have to agree with others about points when on a far from home back road, points will get you home. My.02
I have a 12 volt gen in my Galaxie,havent had a single problem! Also, it made a big difference when I added the coil!
I have had a Pertronix unit in my '57 for close to 20 years and never a problem. Yeah, I know it will die next time I take the car out for saying "never a problem"! They work well, the car runs great, good enough for me!
As a young guy and first timer I have never had to deal with points like my dad did, so they are fun to me.... and my O/T engine started for the first time with points after I tossed the OTHER merry-go-round. I know its user error but... I like to think it wanted to do things the hard way like its owner.
Not sure what you mean by that. The Ignitor is still the same as it has been for 40 years. The Ignitor II has some better circuitry, but installs exactly the same and still uses only 2 wires. The Ignitor III has multi spark and a rev limiter, but still installs the same way and uses the same 2 wires - so I'm not sure what is more complex ?????
Pull the cap and rotor..2 screws..pull the lead, reverse with your spare..no feeler gauge, no dwell....yer laughin'
Think of all those cars manufactured FOR YEARS with points, never had any major troubles. My dad had a '51 Massey Harris 44 farm tractor he farmed with for years before he serviced them. He told me a story once when he plowed snow for the town with that tractor, and it quit running. He walked over to DeRemers's GMC truck dealership, bought a condenser. Installed it on the spot and went back to plowing.
Some of us live in the future, not the past. Higher spark energy means more complete burn of the mixture, which means less fuel wasted. Wasted fuel is wasted money, and potential power not achieved. Points can't deliver what a Pertronix unit can.
The key part of this story is THAT IT QUIT RUNNING!!!! If he had Pertronix he probably would have been spared the walk and you the story. Pertronix starts way better! Runs way better and I've never had a problem with any of them. Noticable improvement in engine running and power just with the installation of a pertronix module.
Can that be proven with actual comparison testing? Just wondering,not slamming Pertronix....If the points system does the job,more spark doesn't help.My own experience as mentioned previously states I noticed no performance difference between Pertronix and properly adjusted points.This was on a moderately modified 261 Chevy 6. Of course the Pertronix holds the tune while points do slowly lose the tune. I don't carry spare electronic ignition parts in my daily driver newer vehicles.If you have to carry points to back up an electronic conversion,that''s a vote of no confidence in my opinion.
Longer dwell and using a coil with less primary resistance can give more spark energy.It also may allow to open the spark plug gap and that may help in some situations.
I voted points if your actually going to drive your car on trips. Try finding a replacement Pertronixs in hillbillyville!!
You can get them from Auto Zone, Advance Auto, O'Reillys etc. Hell - half the parts stores don't stock points any more! Plus you can always keep you stock points and condenser in the trunk should it ever fail, and you're back on the road in 10 minutes.
I've been running Pertronix for about 10 years in my /6....I did it right after I was stranded on the side of the road with my points. Yes I did clean the points with a piece of paper and got going again...but since the pertronix I haven't had to adjust it mess with it...etc. But it sounds like I need to spring for the coil.
Good answer and the pertronix doesn't leave you stranded all the time like the points do. Everybody is worried about the points failing all the time because they do!!! so everyone is trained to have extra points or an extra distributor or a place to get them to keep them going.
I am overwhelmed by the response in favor of Pertronix. I tried them in a couple of different vehicles a few years ago and was disappointed. Maybe it's time to try them again???
Points=antiquated, obsolete and useless. We have evolved past them, thank god because they are awful. The only thing I have that still has points is my tractor and you don't see me taking it on road trips.
one more time you can buy a spare mod for the electronic conversion for $35 and carry it with you..............I've never had to use it
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