Pertronix Electronic Ignition

Just for kicks, I installed Pertronix Electronic Ignition On my C, I must say I am very impressed.

Big difference in idle, and Cold starts is quicker.


Andy

Had the same experience on a "51 H. It started so quickly the first time, the starter was grinding before I could get off the button. What a surprise.

It was impressive enough I ordered one for my "48 Dodge. They actually had one for a 6-volt pos. ground system. The only problem with this one was that another relay was required because the voltage drop while cranking was too great on the start circuit and it wouldn"t fire. With ignition power straight from the battery it works great.

will never have a battery ignition tractor without one if they make one for that model!!! installed one on my JD M and was amazed how easy it cranks, and how much better it runs. installed one on my Farmall Cub. i know true restorers will kringe and maybe even cuss me, but it is the best money spent on my tractors. d. coleman

Many people, like you, report improved starting and idling and for sure the solid state switch technology is a great improvement over mechanical eventually burning bouncing pitting carboned resistive points SO LONG AS ITS WORKING !!!!!!!

But if it quits youre screwed versus if the points get burned a cleaning n filing can get you back to the barn.

I always advise people to get the most bang for the buck and to utilize all the advantage the elec switch has to offer (over points) that it be properly matched with a high energy coil to yield a higher energy spark. If a body wants (NOT a requirement, the above is fine and helps) they can also use a High Voltage coil and run a wider plug gap butttttttttt be sure the plug wires and cap n rotor etc are all in top shape because youre then operating at higher voltages more susceptible to HV breakdown insualtion failures !!! One can still use a higher energy coil then the stock coil at the regular plug gap
to still discharge more spark gap energy then with the total stock system mind you (its NOT necessary to widen the plugs gap)

Its NOT a cure all for a worn out engine or one thats way out of time or has fuel issues etc and dont gain one much if any HP BUT AS LONG AS IT WORKS it can (if matched with right coil) produce more spark energy and can give good starts and idle

best wishes

Merry Christmas

John T

I hear ya, yep it seems starting and idleing is where many report how well they perform. Hey I am a fan of improved technology, dont get me wrong, its just some people have a lousy engine and think an elec ignition is somehow a magic elixir lol

John T

Hey with a neat careful creative wiring job one can hardly tell what you have unless they remove your dist cap AND THE CORRECT POLICE BETTER NOT DARE DO THAT, far as Im concerend its my tractor amd my free choice so they can kiss my grits

John T

I tell everyone that an engine is just like a fine orchestra. every section has to be in tune and in time, if not you have discord.

Andy

I have a 1950 H that is pretty much all original including the 6 volt generator charging system. It has the Delco distributor with the ordinary points and condensor from Tisco. That tractor is my "using" tractor. It cranks over and starts so quickly you would think it had been converted to 12 volts, it idles very smoothly, and revs up quickly when the throttle is pulled back. I just can't see any reason to try and improve anything by using an over priced electronic ignition system.

I agree with Rusty. All you did was fix the problems you had in the ignition at a higher price that you could with properly installed and adjusted factory parts. Sort of like switching from 6 to 12 volts in that particular tractor. But, enjoy it.

For sure, if you have a good tractor that starts n runs fine and youre satisfied with it, I also (like you) see no pressing need to change to an elec ignition. HOWEVER many like n prefer them (especially the starting and idle as many report) yet others dont as they have BOTH advantages and disadvantages as I pointed out below. It's your tractor and your choice I like to say, be a boring world if we all liked exactly the same things now lol.

Yall have a Merry Christmas now

John T

Hey THATS EXACTLY what I found as a beginning banjo picker when I go to Jams, BE IN TUNE AND PLAY IN TIME like a well oiled and tuned machine as you point out

John T

Hey Andy,

Now listen, I don't care one way 'er another, okay? It's your tractor, do as ya please.

However, I'm just tellin' ya, it is going to fail. Sooner or later, it is gonna leave ya stranded.

If this is just a hobby tractor, not to be too concerned I guess, but if this tractor has to work every blessed day, it is going to quit you at the worst possible time.

You can take that to the bank. They just aren't that "heavy duty".

When my loader tractor ate it's third pickup, I went back to the points. My cattle have to be fed; they have to be fed now and they can't wait till Monday morning so a can go buy another $80 unit. :>(

Allan

GOOD POINT (pun intended lol) They can make auto electronic ignition systems that last yearsssssss and yearsssssss and thousands of miles buttttttttt many used on tractors just dont seem to hold up as well. They are good so long as they work,, but not too great when they fail huh

Merry Christmas

John T

I"ve had a Pertronix on my 1940 H for 8 years now with no problems . I have the super coil they sell and the wiring set. I"m pleased with it so far. I plow snow all winter with it. It sits out side all the time. I wish I had a shed, but I don"t. all I can say is try it and see. Thats my 2 cents worth .

I'm going to convert both my M and Ford 8N in the spring (both run great and start easy in warmer weather but when I'm trying to get em started and it's below zero....well the starter pulls so much at them temps that the ignition just don't get the juice it needs). Both are going over to 12 volt at the same time. From my research the electronic stuff will last a long time and it seems to me that the purest are the only ones who really tell you don't do it.

Both are working tractors too. No trailer queens here!

Rick

"well the starter pulls so much at them temps that the ignition just don't get the juice it needs)."

The thing you DON'T realize is due to forward voltage drop in the semiconductors in the Pertronix unit, you will actually have a WEAKER spark at a given battery voltage than with a quality set of breaker points in good condition!

Of course, if you intend to use a CD ignition box or other type of "HOT" spark box my statement does NOT necessarily hold true.

I am NOT condemning EI systems, just "telling it like it is".

There is NO comparison in spark output between the basic Pertronix unit that fits an "N" Ford and the EI in a modern car or a CD ignition unit or other "HOT" ignition box!

Yo Bob, Best I recall theres something like a 0.6 volt drop across a PN junction, I take it thats what youre talking about??? If a transistor device serves as the switch, thats a 0.6 drop right off the top........ They do however make up for some of that as they still provide a good fast positive current switch as opposed to mechanical points bounce...

Fun discussion for us sparky types

John T

(quoted from post at 05:08:10 12/17/10) Wrong bud! those points/condenser were new, and gapped to specs.

I never said there is anything wrong with points!

The only thing I do not like about points is as they wear, the dwell changes, and the spring load on the shaft.

If points are superior to electronic modules,why isn't the industry sill using them?

One thing that WILL burn up an Pertronics unit is failing to use a ballast resistor.

Andy

Click to expand...

The industry didn't necessarily change over because they thought electronics were better. They did so because of mandates imposed upon them by the EPA, which came at a great cost to the industry, and naturally, that cost was passed on to the consumer (us). Ever wonder why a new car or truck has to cost so much?

I see no mention of what happens to a batteries cranking ability at zero degrees.

(quoted from post at 20:27:33 12/16/10) Yo Bob, Best I recall theres something like a 0.6 volt drop across a PN junction, I take it thats what youre talking about??? If a transistor device serves as the switch, thats a 0.6 drop right off the top........ They do however make up for some of that as they still provide a good fast positive current switch as opposed to mechanical points bounce...

Fun discussion for us sparky types

John T

Click to expand...

PN junctions actually run on a curve. And there is no junction sized step loss emitter to collector. Enough current pulled out of the base and all is fine. Drive it to ground just fine. Emitter to base is another story... Bi-polars are still popular against FETs, but driving that base has been their Achilles heel. Nobody likes the relatively low gain factors or input impedance problems.

The main advantage as you say is clean switching and stable firing. Contact are a real problem at very slow mechanical rates.

Why Pertronics uses a DC approach to working the coil is beyond me.

Gary M
Ex military radar design kinda guy.

I have a 53 super c that I rebuilt and also installed a pertonix kit in and it always starts and runs great. It does seem to run smoother and start better too. As far as using a ballast resitor, you do not have to if you get one of those flamethrower coils from pertronix as well as they are internally resisted. I bought the epoxy filled coil and have not had a bit of trouble in the past 8 years or so.