1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

I had a Pertronix unit that had been in the car for several years. The car started missing and had problems running. I replaced that unit with a new one, the same thing happened in a couple of months. I put points in and it was rock solid and has been for many years now. I did call Pertronix, they told me that failures happen, I should just buy another new one, no offer to refund my money or anything. That is why I am still with points and will never try another "black box". I understand points and can easily deal with them, the "black box", not so much.

[Philip A.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

Phil;

In post #12 you stated that with the breakerless SE unit you have a single wire hook-up "the point lead to coil positive"??
Are sure about this??

Stu Fox

Stu
i just double checked. That is how it was connected. The two wires from the firewall harness were connected to the coil negative. Did the previous owner install the coil backwards. What is the correct connections, including the coil condenser? Thank you for your replies and attention to detail.
Phil

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

Michael;

Your experience is very unusual. I suspect something else was amiss with your installation or your distributor. The pickup gap is important; I have seen a number of distributors that either had a slightly bent shaft or the top portion did not run true and varied the gap excessively during rotation. These may not affect your distributor when operating with points.

To each his own. As long as you're happy, but know well that there are a lot of others who are very happy with their conversions.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

Tim
Ballast resistor and stock coil are in use. How long has your unit been in place? I will be calling them too.
Phil

Philip,

The conversion to the breakerless was done probably four years ago, not many miles on the car though. With your two failures I would be looking for a reason, I think it's made by M&H fabricators and that's who I would call, anyone else is a distributor.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

Phil;

The ignition input wires go to the (+) terminal on the coil. The primary lead wire from the distributor (whether it be a single wire from the points or a Breakerless SE conversion) goes to the (-) terminal. If indeed yours was connected improperly (backwards) that could probably be the cause of your failed units. Also, the radio capacitor on the coil should connect to the (+) terminal.

If this be the case, be certain you connect your new points primary lead to the (-) terminal.

Also, Phil, don't feel bad. I question myself each time I make a coil connection.

Michael;

Another point to make about the gap when installing a conversion; with the exception of a Fuelie distributor, most all conversions require the addition of shim(s) between the drive gear and the bottom of the distributor housing (making certain the gear is replaced properly [dimple forward in line with #1 plug terminal]) in order to maintain the gap within tolerance. Adding washers under the rotor can also be used further to establish the gap (as is necessary on a Fuelie distributor).

There again, Michael, don't feel bad if you made any mistake. We all do, specially those of us that don't do these things for a living, or like me with some lost marbles with my age.

Stu Fox

[Philip A.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

All
Just to be clear, the first failure was due to the previous owner over tightening the screw wire and breaking the insert in the module. This was discovered by me several years ago, investigating intermittent issues and I replaced the module. I had several years of trouble free use until this recent failure which made me deep dive into the distrib. So I now have learned it had the incorrect vac can and the coil was installed with the wiring backward. I have spoken with M&H and they are investigating whether the coil wiring could have caused the failure. They also stated that most failures are due to the points wire not receiving the necessary voltage and that I should check that. They also informed me that they do not sell just the module, only the whole kit. My unit is past it's three year warranty. Thanks to all responders.
Phil

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

Philip.

While you are inside the distributor check the short ground wire that runs from the breaker plate to the distributor housing. They sometimes breakn from the V/A moving the breaker plate. Also, check your engine grounds as the coil primary circuit runs through the distributor to ground on the engine block to the negative battery cable.

It's good advice to check the voltage to the ballast because the breakerless will not work with low voltage, you will need to ask them about that.

[Philip A.]

Re: 1965 L76 327/365 vac advance B??

M&H got back to me. The reversed coil wires would not cause a failure, the module is polarity protected. They emphasized that most failures are due to the vehicle wiring; and that should be ruled out. I will be checking all wiring. Thanks to all that have commented. Phil