Moss Motors, Ltd

I am starting to see this Pertronix Electronic Distributor being discussed as a replacement for the Old Lucas Distributors for British cars.  Does anyone have any experience with these units and what have been the results of trying these units?  Do you have to change the coil as well to get the most of the new distributor?  I think it is an attractive idea to replace the old Lucas unit but before I try it I would like to get some input from others.  I understand that these units are new to the market and experience may be very limited.  Please do provide your thoughts.  I would be using this on a 1957 TR3 that is in the restoration stage.  Looking forward to your responses.

Aftermarket electronic ignitions do not have a good reputation for reliability. If they fail the car defaults to the "walk home" mode. The points and condensor in the Mallory dual point distributor my Morris Minor have been in service for almost 20,000 miles. Just one adjustment of the dwell needed so far. Anvil simple.

Greetings..   I've spent some time of late looking at ignitions for TRactors motors and cost effectivenes (bang for the buck).  For running costs, you can't beat good old points but we all seem to want to upgrade and fiddle with stuff. Our distributors are all 40 or more years old and can be a bit tired.  All the bits needed to properly get them back to spec aren't available.  I've looked at the Pertronix distributor even though they aren't making one specifically for the TR.  Easy enough to convert.  The advance curve is close enough to at TR4a to be usable but the vac advance is 20 degrees.  The TR4a spec is 6 degrees.  The Mallory dual point is very adjustable and looks like a good bet.  It can be set up with the 2 stage advance curve much like the Lucas unit and has an adjustable vac advance.  The other unit is the 123. Advance curve is solid state and adjustable.  Again, no TR unit as yet and I'm not sure about the vac advance as yet.   My own set up is a Lucas distributor and new vac advance  (checked out resonabley ok on the synchrograph) with an Pertronix Ignitor, Pertronix 3ohm coil, Magnacor wires and a later style MGB cap (seen some problems with the piercing screws with spiral core wire and am told they are  made of better stuff)       TJ

Here's my TR6 distributor story, with the Pertronix setup after a complete rebuild.  Notice that I had a plate made up with points and condensor mounted and pre-set in case the "worst" would happen.  http://www.74tr6.com/distributor.htm

I love the performance of the car after this work was done.

Paul
 

 

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Paul Rego
www.74tr6.com

I've been running a Mallory Dual point for about 6 or 7 years with zero complaints.  I've considered upgrading to an electronic module but have not found an issue with the points.  If this is something you would want to do, Mallory has magentic and optical pickups and Pertronix makes a module for the Mallory too.  Make sure you get the mallory with the vacuum advance module for streetability too.  They are available without the vacuum advance.

 BTW - I'm using the same Lucas sport coil I used with my Lucas dizzy.

 Jack

I installed a Petronix Igniter a few years ago in my  73 Volvo 142 Bosch distributor and it has been ok.  I am using the factory ignition coil.  But I do have reservations about it's reliability.  Just wondering if anybody can comment on their experiences with the Petronix.  

I installed one a few years ago too, and also used the factory coil, with no problems. After a while, like you, I began to wonder if a new coil might be better so I swapped out the coil for a new one.

I'm glad that I did this because even though there was no difference whatsoever in performance, the old coil netted me $42 on EBay! So after all was said and done, I ended up with a new coil - FREE!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

Davey

I stayed with the Bosch coil on my Volvo although there wasn't a spec on the voltage output.  The shop manual did give the ratio of primary to secondary windings and I figured it to be around 30K.  I thought it might run hot from a longer saturation time from the Petronix but it doesn't feel any hotter to touch.

 

John