ELECTRONIC IGNITION

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Hello all...Just wondering how many of you have switched over to electronic ignition and what your thoughts are on doing so. thanks, Ed

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On my '66 GT-350 (driver) I used a MSD ready to run distributor ( part #8352) for 3 years, then added the MSD Digital 6 box ( part # 6520) and a MSD coil ( Blaster SS ). When I added the MSD box I also needed the MSD tach adaptor ( # 8920 ) for the stock Shelby tack to work.

In retrospect, the MSD ready to run distributor by itself gave me all the performance & reliability that I needed. They used to come with a black dist. cap. Good for a more stock looking appearance. But now the MSD caps are all red. They can be painted black however as long as the paint isn't metal based.

Whenever this car is passed on to the next owner, I can go back to the stock ignition in 15 minutes.

Z. Ray

'66 GT-350

I've been running Pertronix I and coil for the past 4 years. I have a point set in the trunk if it ever goes out...which it hasn't. I prefer the consistentcy and reliability (though I've heard Pertronix II's are tempermental) over points.

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Hi Kevin,

I am an original equipment nut but I am thinking about switching over to perteonix I for obvious reasons. My understanding is that you can switch back to points if you wish. Can you use the original yellow top coil with the pertronix unit or must you use their coil? Much rather have the yellow top stock look. Great idea keeping a set of points with you. I would do the same. Thanks, Ed

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I know what you mean about being an OE nut...the pertronix conversion is one of the only changes (reversible) that I've made to my kar. I use Pertronix's flame thrower coil for the simple fact that I've never had a repro yellow top coil work with a damn. I have one that I pop on for shows, but I use the flamethrower 99% of the time. I really wish Pertronix would make a yellow top version of the Flamethrower. I did buy one of the latest yellow top coils from Virginia Mustang which are reportedly much improved (I think there even is a post on them - though not favorable). In any case, I haven't tried it yet. Kevin

<font face='Comic Sans MS'>I've stuck with the stock dual point system since the car hit the road in early 2000. Typically I'll verify their gap during the annual valve adjust. Currently have 16k + miles on the car including the 2,100 round trip to Nashville in 2004 with Gerald (65Hipo). Got just over 16MPG on the trip with a 3.00 pumpkin. Have nothing against the Petronix, but just can't see shucking out 65 bucks to replace a system that is working just fine. However, I will admit to carrying a loaded dual breaker spare - just in case.[Blocked Image: http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid157/p4f8ee1bd214d6f407a7e7df72a842ee9/f5253efc.jpg]

Have had the Pertronix replacement for the dual pt.

setup in my K more than 8 years and the only hicup

was when the "+" Pertronix wire to the distr. popped

off 300+ miles from home on a Sunday afternoon

following a car show.....everything went QUIET except

my mumbling, anong other things, "now what?" The fiz

was to squeeze the pop-on cnn and press it firmly back

into place.

With the combination of the Pertronix and the bolt-in

5-speed T-5, that old HiPo gives me almost 25 mpg...

well, mostly the .67 OD does.<img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Is there a way to tell if you have the original factory coil? Ed<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>

<font face='Comic Sans MS'>The only way I know to ID an original yellow top is from its apperance. I've three of them and the yellow top on all are very scuzzy looking e.g. small chip-outs, minute surface cracking, imbedded dirt etc. A little lacquer thinner or that purple stuff I bought at Wal-Mart seems to clean the yellow part up reasonably well, but there is no mistaking their age. Still, I'd rather have that, as apposed to displaying a generic black top item. </font id='Comic Sans MS'>

Your original coil has a date on the yellow top portion. Not too many folks are aware of this, but between the posts you will find - if you look closely - a letter and a number that are in a RAISED print, not stamped. The numeral is the year, the letter is the month. Check out the one you have! Little details like this are what drive me nuts, and now you can share a portion of my mental demons. This may be one of the things you wish you did not know because now you will spend hours and $ getting the corect one.

I switched to a Pertronix and right out of the box it ran OK but just didn't seem to be as good as the original dual point. Figured I was just imagining things but a few years later it died. Switched back to the dual point and I'm sticking with it. It may be old school technology, and a bit of a pain to maintain, but it's reliable and it works.

On the coil discussion, I've always assumed the numeric code on the top of originals was also a date code. But I've talked to at least one reliable source who says that's not the case. He said he's seen plenty of original coils where the top code is way different from the ink stamp date code, build date code, etc. Does anyone know for sure what this code means?

FWIW, I recently installed one of the "new improved" repop coils on my car. Looking good so far but will report any problems if they occur.

My Pertronix unit is going on 8 years now with zero issues so far. With the dual points, starting and idleing were while not a problem. not the best in the world. After the Pertronix the car started quickly and idles great.

Jack

I switched over to petronix with an original yellow top coil in my 70 B,302 4 years ago with rev limitor no problems at all,

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Dave... Did you get the pertronix made specifically for the dual point ignition system?

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Yes I did Ed. I have one friend who installed a Pertronix in his 66 GT350 and it failed on the test drive. His was likely just a dud, at least mine worked OK for a few years, maybe mine was a bit of a dud also but it makes you wonder about their quality control. Obviously the Pertronix works well for lots of people, maybe I'll try it again someday but for now my car runs great with the dual point system, starts right up with a flick of the key.

Dave