Breakerless Dist KIT

[Francis F.]

I am curious, does anyone have knowlege of a retro-fit?
A)which one to get?
B)Cost?

C)Was there any improvement in performance?
D)They say it is undetectable(?)

(I have a 350 SB,just looking to make things better.)

FRANCIS

[Tom C.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

The Breakerless SE kit is great. It replaces the points with an optical module and is easy to install and uses only one wire. Indistinguishable from stock.
There are many sources for it but I know that Lectric Limited has it.

[Jack H.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

The kit is manufactured by M&H Electrical Fabricators, Inc. Lectric Limited acts as a 'warehouse distributor' and re-packages the kit with their name/instructions, Etc.

It uses a Hall Effect (vs. optical or magnetic) trigger. It's a 'drop in' replacement for a distributor's original Kettering components (points, condensor) and uses a single wire for both power supply and coil primary triggering.

It is NOT 'invisible' nor 'undetectable'... Savvy judges can and do as the owner to raise the point adjust lift window on their distributor cap and the module's presense is EASY to detect with a flashlight & inspector's mirror.

But, as a single wire, drop-in, it's a fast/simple task to switch from electronic to conventional ignition mode WITHOUT removing the distributor from the engine...

[Bob S.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

Francis - I don't have any 1st hand experience with this, but I hear there's a potential of being stranded by a sudden failure of a breakerless kit. Maybe others will chime in....

Since I grew up doing it, installing and adjusting a set of points and condensor is simple, so I plan to revert back to that ignition type on both my midyears. (My '66 engine now has a breakerless system, but the engine is out for rebuild...)

Bob

[Bruce B.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

I have had a Pertronix breakerless system in my 62 340 HP car for the last 15,000 miles. Set it up once and it's done. I do check it every year to make sure nothing is loose but thats it. It uses a magnetic ring or the new ones use a distributor cam sensor. I believe the advantage is that it is not a optical system. It does have 2 wires coming out of the distributor but thats ok with me.
As far as relaibility it,s great. Like anything else it might stop working someday but I don't worry about it.

[Don H.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

I also have had the Pertronix kit in a 60 & 65 for years, never a problem. I carry a set of points & condensor as back up. Either way (stock or electronic) can fail. Don H.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

I've used Pertronix systems for many years w/o any problems. My latest is the Pertronix II w/ coil which uses full 12 volt ignition input. I just jumper around the ballast resistor with a black (stealthy) wire. The system provides reliability and optimum (redline) performance. What I most appreciate about the electronic conversions I've used is not having to change spark plugs so often. You'll get a lot of argument about that, but my beautiful knuckles tell the story best. No cuts, no knicks and no abrasions.

Stu Fox

[Pierre J.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

I've had Pertronix in both my '56 & '57 and never had a problem. Finish the days of adjusting dual points and never know if both sets were adjusted right.

Pierre
34410

[Joe G.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

A) I have two of the Breakerless SE units. First one is functioning fine with zero issues in a 65. The second one is soon to be put to work in a 71. The only complaint I heard is from the guy that rebuilt the distributor for the 71. He had issues trying to curve it on his machine due to the electronics. He said the Pertronix units never gave him issues.
B) M&H around $150. They will give you a discount if you ask.
C) I was pleased with the perfomance so I bought the second unit. I was having ignition issues in the higher rpm range which have been resolved and this unit will rev right on up there.

My $ .02

Joe

[Michael W.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

C)Was there any improvement in performance?

Being that the purpose of any set of points or electronic conversion kits is simply as a switch to start/stop electrical current to the primary side of the coil, there is no performance enhancement to be had. Keep in mind that these are not HEI type ignition equivalents.

If there is some difference in performance after conversion, it most probably due to a coincidental masking effect on distributor wear, not a design issue with the points type ignition system.

The majority of sudden death failures are with the original Pertronixs units. I understand that the new generation units are not quite so prone.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

Seems we've been down this road before. Suffice it to say, keeping all eight plugs firing on time at the redline could be considered a performance enhancement I guess.

Stu Fox

[Tom L.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

I'm looking to switch over to this type of ignition system but have a question. My '72 LS-5 has a resistor wire, rather than a ceramic ballast resistor, that goes into the harness, how far I don't know.

Anyone have any experience putting this type of system on a car with a resistor wire?

[Joe G.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

Maybe I should have clarified that I was pleased with the performance of the unit.

Joe

[Christopher K.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

Lynn,

You can't use the resistor wire with Pertronix. As Stuart said the module needs a full 12 volts. You can use the empty "ign" slot in the fuse panel under dash, and string a wire through the firewall.

I put mine back to points, a high perf set from napa. It runs great and requires no additional wiring!

Chris

[Jack H.]

Re: Breakerless Dist KIT

Yes, I have a Breakerless SE in my '71 base SB. It's a simple drop-in. You do NOT have to worry about the ballast resistor function (whether discrete or integral to the engine harness). The module manufactures its own power from the complex waveform of the coil primary circuit...