starting research on replacing stock ignition system with electronic.

Shawn · Veteran Member

starting research on replacing stock ignition system with electronic.

77srx · Addicted!

http://www.pertronix.com

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Shawn, i am not sure if there is a six volt electronic conversion kit. PERTRONIX makes conversion kits for most engines but you might want to check with them, to see if they have one for the six volt. I converted my 12 volt in my 1957 261 inline six 15 years ago and i would never look back. Who the heck needs goofy points, condensor and silly dwell to have to deal with. You put a PERTRONIX in there and then forget about it. George.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

long stroke wrote:
Shawn, i am not sure if there is a six volt electronic conversion kit. PERTRONIX makes conversion kits for most engines but you might want to check with them, to see if they have one for the six volt. I converted my 12 volt in my 1957 261 inline six 15 years ago and i would never look back. Who the heck needs goofy points, condensor and silly dwell to have to deal with. You put a PERTRONIX in there and then forget about it. George.

you changed to 12volt ? will that make your car a modified car lol lol lol

MickyG · Veteran Member

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pontiac-239-pertronix-hei-distributor-conversion.816209/

Shawn · Veteran Member

As always I'm learning lots,, thanks ,
6 volt neg ground system with the numbers 1110233 stamped on my dis cap

timbuk · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

ok then my 53 im told is a 12 volt from the factory,also has electric wiper motor does that make sense? guess i could check my cap or has it been converted

77srx · Addicted!

http://www.pertronix.com/support/manuals/pdf/ignitor6vneg.pdf

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

timbuk wrote:
ok then my 53 im told is a 12 volt from the factory,also has electric wiper motor does that make sense? guess i could check my cap or has it been converted

Tim, your 53 would have been a six volt originally. The 12 volt system came out in 1955 for Chevy the first time. Cadillac and Buick got it in 1953 first. Your 53 has been converted to 12 volt thankfully and that saves you a lot of trouble. If there has not been an electronic ignition conversion done yet, i would highly recommend it. PERTRONIX is the way to go, super easy to install and then totally free of any future upkeep. Also with the hotter more reliable spark, you get better power, better starting, better mileage and as an added bonus.............. no future up keep of those silly points, condenser and dwell setting. George.

beaucarlo · Guru

I agree that Pertronix is the way to go.......but in their instructions they state to keep your old set-up in the glovebox just in case

bjburnout · Uber Guru

I have no problem with points and condenser (our 66 Impala and 67 Beaumont still run them).
You just have to check the condition and gap (dwell) periodically.
That said I did put Pertronix w/ignitor 11 and their 45,000v coil in the 63 409 and it lite that ignition
up big time........cleaner, crisper, faster starts and no breakdown over 5500 rpm and smoother idle.
I had hesitated for quite a while cause I like orig stuff.....but this Pertronix is cool and an easy conversion.
Eventually both the 66 and 67 will get it.

-- Edited by bjburnout on Saturday 28th of March 2015 02:11:53 PM

Shawn · Veteran Member

Thank you.
Today the 53 is getting

New

Electronic ignition,
Wires
Coil
And plugs

See what happens ...

Cost of material
$250 Canadian and 6 pack

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Best to keep the points /cond. with you just in case. I've talked to a few guys that have had failures with pertronix & others, like here, that haven't had a glitch. When I had the 64 catalina I used a Crane set up with a rev limiter dialed in at 6500RPM Hit that limiter a few times!!!!

hawkeye5766 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

dualquadpete wrote:
Best to keep the points /cond. with you just in case. I've talked to a few guys that have had failures with pertronix & others, like here, that haven't had a glitch. When I had the 64 catalina I used a Crane set up with a rev limiter dialed in at 6500RPM Hit that limiter a few times!!!!

Have to agree with Pete, had pertronix and car would cut out after an hour of driving! Stop let sit 15 min and would start again. Got dizzy rebuilt with new bushings etc still did the same damn thing. Would also backfire with vac adv hooked up? Got fed up and bought complete elec dist. Same coil and wiring with new dizzy, no problems for 5 yrs. As Pete says, keep old point/con in trunk. Pack my orig dist in trunk(points) and still have ballast resistor on firewall. May save you a tow.

-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Saturday 28th of March 2015 10:11:45 PM

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I do not want to jinx myself but i have had PERTRONIX in my 57 261 inline six motor for 15 or 16 years now with no trouble what so ever. I drive this 261 3,000 miles each and every year, no trouble at all. I do keep the points and condenser in the tool box in the trunk, just in case but no need so far. My 74 Chev Caprice wagon has the older CRANE electronic unit that i have hid in the engine compartment. I have had the CRANE unit for 20 years on my 74 400 V -8 with no trouble what so ever. Folks can love there points all they want, i personally think they are useless and belong in museums. Cheers. George.

Shawn · Veteran Member

Apparently my local performance shop cannot order the correct Parts ,,after two orders I have gone back to the points.
I have turned to ebay. At least if I get the incorrect parts it's my fault ..

hwscowboy · Guru

Hey Shawn,this should help you out pertronix help number 1 800 756 1114i believe you are looking for a 6 volt,negative ground,ccw rotation with the delco dist.Should be part number 2161n6 and if you want the coil as well it is part number 40011.They are ebay offered together for about 200.00 cdn plus shipping.I have had it marked on my watch page for awhile as I am thinking about one for the 54 and my 49.