Petronix in 070 FI distributor

[Jerry G.]

I trying to install Petronix ignitor in my 070 FI distributor. I'm on the second incorrect kit that they have sent me. Has anyone done this on this part# distributor and if so do you remember which conversion kit was needed. Tech support at petronix is not the best. Jerry

[Tom P.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

Jerry,
The ORIGINAL PerTronix unit for the 57-74 GM point type distributors with a window for point adjustment (EXCLUDING the EARLY dual point type FI dist) was/is the 1181. I have a 65 (070) FI dist in the SB400 in the 56 and I installed the 1181 unit 18yrs ago. This is the unit which has the magnet wheel installed under the rotor. Still running great!

[William C.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

Not sure why you have a problem, but from a pertronics standpoint, the 070 distributor is absolutely no different than making the installation in any other tach drive distributor. Nothing "special" about the kit is needed.

[Jerry G.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

The problem was Summit sent the wrong kits twice. The 1181 has just been ordered, thanks Tom. Pictures are great. I'm removing the vacuum advance and plan to tack weld the base plate. Anybody see a problem with this approach( this is pure racing) Jerry

[William C.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

Good old summit strikes again. If you are giong to tack the baseplate, I'd leave the vac advance can in place to provide the proper registration of the baseplate relative to the positioning of the rotor in relation to the contacts inside the distributor cap. Years ago when I was making my own stationary baseplates I used an old cutaway distributor to insure alignment. Just keeping the vacuum advance in place while the baseplate is being welded is SO much easier.

[Jerry G.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

Good sugestion. I'll do it. Thank you. any other tid bits I need to know.

[William C.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

That should get you pretty close if Summit comes thru...

[Tom P.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

And, there is another option for securing the plate (which I prefer).
Round up a junk vac adv can. Weld/braze the rod solid to the bracket which is attached to the dist housing. Then, cut off the rod/bracket even with the dist housing. The bracket is attached to the housing with 2 screws and with the rod inserted into the breaker plate, it will keep the plate in a fixed position. Using this method, neither the dist nor the breaker plate have to be modified.

[Jerry G.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

And, there is another option for securing the plate (which I prefer).
Round up a junk vac adv can. Weld/braze the rod solid to the bracket which is attached to the dist housing. Then, cut off the rod/bracket even with the dist housing. The bracket is attached to the housing with 2 screws and with the rod inserted into the breaker plate, it will keep the plate in a fixed position. Using this method, neither the dist nor the breaker plate have to be modified.

You are clever and resourceful, Sounds good. Jerry

[Jerry G.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

Is a working 448 15 vacuum can worth anything special? I'll cut it up and use it if it's not.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

I originally installed the Pertronics Ignitor kit (1181) many years ago, then changed to the Ignitor II (91181) a few years back. I did that without changing the magnetic wheel, but I did re-shim it for a better "in-tolerance" gap setting. I also changed the coil at that time to their "Blaster" (?) and by-passed (jumpered) the resistor to run the required 12v full time input to the distributor. Seems to pull consistently stronger in the higher rpm ranges. I also use a ball bearing VAC plate which has given me good service for about 25 years now - no plate tip here.

Stu Fox

[Clem Z.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

Good sugestion. I'll do it. Thank you. any other tid bits I need to know.

take a old dist cap drill a hole in it in line with #1 wire so you can see the rotor when using a timing light on #1 cylinder. with the engine reved up at at full distributor advance you can see where the rotor is pointing.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Petronix in 070 FI distributor

another tip use nylon screws to hold the rotor so there is no chance of the spark being channeled to the metal parts of the distributor under the rotor.