Solid State Ignition

Anyone do away with the points distributor on their engine? I've been looking into the different options and with the Tri Power I can't use a HEI distributor due to clearance without grinding on the manifold. I've been doing some research and have been considering the Pertronix option. Anyone use this? Is it any good?

Oops...first reply posted on Electrical section. Is reposted here.

Did a search on the PY forum and found the following that might be of interest to you:
" RAIV55 RAIV55 is offline
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Proform's part number for a Pontiac HEI type distributor is 66953. Their phone is 1-586-774 2500, at least that's the number I have for them.

If you want to keep the stock look, Pertronics and Mallory make conversions that fit in a stock distributor. There may be others that I'm unaware of."

I bought the MSD Pro Billet. After asking around for about a year I found that (like anything else) you get 5 million different opinions for the same question. And since we have '59s, they're just opinions. Most people on other Pontiac forums have no experience with '59s and can only offer opinions.

I have an MSD on mine. It's never been started but it looks good and it fits.

I have a friend who had a pertronix conversion on a lincoln and he loved it.

starchief1959......I've got the Pertronics system in my 59 with original distributor and Tri-Power. Easy installation and works flawlessly. Like it enough to put it in the Firebird! You don't need a high end mega-spark system in our engines. They don"t rev high enough to cause spark problems even with the original points system. The only reason I put the Pertronic in was to avoid adjusting the points. Hope this helps.......John

John, thanks. Are you running just the distributor insert or are you running their coil too?

Robert and 4896, with the Tri Power I can't run a HEI distributor due to clearance on the back of the manifold. The distributor physically won't fit due to how far back the tri power manifolds sit to make clearance for the rear carb.

The MSD isn't an HEI. I couldn't fit an HEI either. The MSD is about the same size as the stock Distributor. It barely clears my Rear carb.

I don't want all the extra crap under my hood that goes with the MSD system. I'm into sleepers.

I was told MSD won't fit either too.

I think the tri power has more room than a dual quad does. I should have tried the MSD with my tri power motor.

You don't have to run their ignition box. You have to run a coil though but that's the same as any other distributor besides HEI. I'm guessing you're referring to the ignition box. You could also run it under the dash or something.

I'm pretty sure anything pre muscle car and anything that says Pontiac is a sleeper in itself. haha kids underestimate Pontiacs. A 4 door grandma car will be plenty sleeper.

starchief1959.....I just used the kit that replaces the points and condensor. I also replaced the coil with a new one from NAPA because I didn't know how old or good the original was. Believe me, spark is not an issue with these engines, unless there is something wrong in the system to begin with.......John

Catbird: do you have a part number on the pertronics points and condenser system you used......I have a bad vacuum advance and having trouble finding a replacement

where did you get it also
thanks

Old Gold.....I don't have the kit number, but tell whoever you order it from what car it's for. They are all pretty much the same for all G.M. V8s. Since Pontiac distributors turn counter-clockwise, that might????? make a difference. Either way don't bother with the expense of a Pertronics coil. As I stated before, the only real advantage of these, is the elimination of messing with points and condensers. I don't remember exactly where I got mine, but just about any car magazine I pick up has someone advertising them. Look in "Hemmings" or "Old Cars Weekly" or maybe Ames and Perfromance Years sells them. Should be between $70 and $90 depending on who is selling them. I've had mine in there for about 8 years now with no problem at all......John

I had the crane cams unit in my 62. It worked well and installation was easy. I think it was less than $120 for the kit and the coil from Summit

is it what pertronics calls the igniter system? it has a magnetic ring and a little red box that goes in the place of points and condenser?

thanks

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-750-1725/

I'm pretty sure thats the one I had

Got what i needed thanks guys.

petronics : igniter 1 1181
igniter 2 91181

those are the petronics part numbers for the stock distributer points and condenser replacement kit for pontiac 389 6.4 liter 1959 & 1960