Transistorized igintion 427/390

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Just a thought. I had the same problem with not being able to get the distributor installed correctly with my 1967 small block. It turnes out that the distributor gear was installed 180 degrees off. Since there is an odd numbered set of teeth on the gear, if its 180 out, it was impossible to get the distributor installed correctly. There should be a "dimple" on the gear that indicates how it should go on. IIRC it should line up with the rotor.

Thanks...

The work was done by a mechanic. He tells me that unless he can get his hands on a NOS distributor, it will always be 4 degrees off. (???)

Bob
9944

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Bob-

Simply put, swapping in a Pertronix widget will not address the other timing issue whatever it might be. These things are not the miracle cure-all that many believe them to be.

I guess...I was looking for a hotter spark.

Bob
9944

[Joe L.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Thanks...

The work was done by a mechanic. He tells me that unless he can get his hands on a NOS distributor, it will always be 4 degrees off. (???)

Bob
9944

Bob------


With a distributor machine, any 62-74 Corvette distributor can be set up to the original specifications of the particular application desired. The notion that one has to obtain an NOS distributor (presumably one of the original part number) or you can never achieve what needs to be achieved is, thus, absurd.

[Michael W.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

I guess...I was looking for a hotter spark.

Bob
9944

These units will not provide any additional spark energy- nor will any other conventional ignition system. A coil discharges as soon as it has enough electrical energy stored to ionize the air gap of the plug which typically takes around 9,000 volts or so. Installing a super zoomy blaster coil with an advertised rating of 40,000 volts (and the flashy graphics to go with it) makes no difference as the plug still fires as soon as the coil has stored 9,000 volts. The stock coil has more than enough capacity to do the job, and more.

The pertronix units or similar are simply an electronic switch which the replaces the points- which are a mechanical switch. They cannot and do not affect the coil output in any sense.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

I'll bet that the group of distributors that can be made to work is a lot larger than '62-'74 Corvette. I would suspect any Chevrolet V8 points distributor would work. I agree with the others here; get a new mechanic!

[William C.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Find one who owns an old-fashoned distributor machine, and with a little creativity the operator will get you any curve you want within reason.

[Joe L.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

I'll bet that the group of distributors that can be made to work is a lot larger than '62-'74 Corvette. I would suspect any Chevrolet V8 points distributor would work. I agree with the others here; get a new mechanic!

Dennis-----

Yes, just about any Chevrolet V-8 distributor could be set up to the original specs of the distributor for any application. However, unless a 62-74 Corvette distributor was used, the tach drive function would be lost.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Obviously, I know this. I'm not talking direct replacement here; just functionality. Just taking it to the extreme to make the proper point.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

if you want a better ignition and still keep your points build one of these dwell extenders. it electronically closes the points as soon as they open increasing the dwell time.

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

I'll bet that the group of distributors that can be made to work is a lot larger than '62-'74 Corvette. I would suspect any Chevrolet V8 points distributor would work. I agree with the others here; get a new mechanic!

If you only knew who I've been using....

That said, I AM looking

Thanks,

Bob
9944

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

if you want a better ignition and still keep your points build one of these dwell extenders. it electronically closes the points as soon as they open increasing the dwell time.

Thanks so much!!!

Bob
9944

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Bob -

None of the drop-in conversions (Pertronix, Breakerless SE, etc.) are "electronic ignition systems"; they simply replace the electro-mechanical switch (the points) with an electronic switch module that does exactly the same thing, and they don't increase the "spark energy" at all. They also aren't sold in retail auto parts stores, so unless you carry a spare module (or a set of points and condenser), if they fail, you're dead on the side of the road. They DO spare you the gruesome chore of setting dwell once a year and changing the points once every five years.

OK..OK..I hest ya...

thanks,

Bob
9944

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

These units will not provide any additional spark energy- nor will any other conventional ignition system. A coil discharges as soon as it has enough electrical energy stored to ionize the air gap of the plug which typically takes around 9,000 volts or so. Installing a super zoomy blaster coil with an advertised rating of 40,000 volts (and the flashy graphics to go with it) makes no difference as the plug still fires as soon as the coil has stored 9,000 volts. The stock coil has more than enough capacity to do the job, and more.

The pertronix units or similar are simply an electronic switch which the replaces the points- which are a mechanical switch. They cannot and do not affect the coil output in any sense.

Got it!!! Thanks!

Bob
9944

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Find one who owns an old-fashoned distributor machine, and with a little creativity the operator will get you any curve you want within reason.

Thank you, Bill

Bob
9944

[Bob S.]

Re: Transistorized igintion 427/390

Bob,

Not being cute, but I've tried to help in every single thread you've posted.
If you post a comment that doesn't make sense I think it's reasonable to ask for clarification.

At this point I'd ignore/throw away/forget everything you were told by your former mechanic.
Wait for your new one to work with you and go from there. I don't think it's worth your time to "what if" based on bad information.

Patrick

Thanks, Patrick...Meant no offense with my "Cute" remark...really. New mechanic is out of town and back in a few days. I'm sure I'll have a better experience. Just talking to him on the phone, he sounds easy to work with, and very knowledgeable

Thanks,

Bob
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