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To Pertronix, Or Not Pertronix...that Is The Question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by TonyM, Oct 25, 2019.

  1. Oct 27, 2019
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
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    I've had mine a couple years now. The points setup stranded me. I have a iad 4008 and I think the condensor went out. Bit the bullet and got the pertronix, coil and wires.

    It makes a big difference with my fhead- faster starts, better idle and feels like overall more power. I go up hills at higher speeds.
     
    65CJ5 SRD likes this.
  2. Oct 28, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    I used it in my Runabout fishing boat some years back . It had a a Chevy 154 I/O. Worked great for years & took the pounding of Lake Ontario, unlike the OEM points set up ? MHO is that .....Why the Hell Not ? You'll be glad you did. :bananatool:
     
  3. Oct 29, 2019
    TonyM

    TonyM Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Middle Tennessee
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    6v Pertronix unit is supposed to arrive on Friday. Will install this weekend. Thanks for the feedback everyone!
     
    jeepstar, 65CJ5 SRD and Glenn like this.
  4. Oct 29, 2019
    tcfeet

    tcfeet Member

    east of west,...
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    Can some one tell me what number electronic ignition is
    for a 1964 four cyl. cj5?
     
  5. Oct 29, 2019
    CHUGALUG

    CHUGALUG Member

    Silverton, OR
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    May 11, 2019
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    238
    Some things to know.

    1. YOU HAVE TO USE RESISTOR PLUG WIRES or you will fry the unit in a few hours.
    2. If you have a Vacuum advance distributor (Autolite IAT-4405 etc.) They do not currently make a drop in kit. I am currently working on a way to get around this.
     
  6. Oct 29, 2019
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Jan 22, 2019
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    You need to determine what distributor model you have. It's dependant on that. I made a rash assumption and ended up with the wrong unit.

    Regarding resistor plug wires, is this for all the Pertronix models and all ignition coils?
     
  7. Oct 29, 2019
    Siskiwit

    Siskiwit Member

    Northern Wisconsin
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    Aug 13, 2016
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    Put one in my old tractor, was the best. Didn’t know about the resistor wires. I left the solid core in but didn’t have a problem. If you find a solution around the vacuum advance module I want to know. I want one in my flathead.
     
  8. Oct 30, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Just FYI, the Summer 2018 issue of Dispatcher magazine has a good illustrated article detailing the installation of a Pertronix module on an F134.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2019
    Lockman likes this.
  9. Oct 30, 2019
    TonyM

    TonyM Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Middle Tennessee
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    Chugalug - Thanks for the resistor wire reminder! I've got some 7mm "suppressor" plug wires on the shelf in the garage so I should be OK.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2019
  10. Oct 30, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Petronix in my V6 Delco distributor since around 2002/2003 ?
    No problems.
    I do carry all the removed parts, points etc in case I ever had a trail/road problem with it.
     
  11. Oct 30, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I'm guessing by the term resistor pkug wires, you're probably referring to shielded wires - i.e. shielded against EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). The article noted above in Dispatcher Magazine mentions that this is necessary:

    "Plug Wires: The electronic ignition requires a shielded wire to suppress excess noise that can damage the ignition module. If your wires are shielded, then you are good to go. If not, you can get the recommended wires they sell..."

    Here's a description of the spark plug wires Pertronix sells, which are low-resistance, but are shielded (from PerTronix Flame-Thrower Ignition Wires):

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2019
  12. Oct 30, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
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    Jun 22, 2006
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    If Pertronix wires aren't a option Taylor makes some very nice wires in there spiro-pro line 8mm in many colors. I like the 135 degree spark plug boot for the dauntless V-6 because they fit into the stock wire loom and don't hang out all over the place. These require a spark plug wire tool to be cut to length.They come with regular and HEI boots for dist cap.Buy the 8 cyl. universal kit and have a couple spares
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2019
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  13. Oct 30, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I'm a little confused- the statements really makes no sense to me & I've been an electronics tech for 45 years. :confused:

    The installation instructions make no mention of this.

    If you're using a system with a remote mounted ignition box then certainly shielded wire would be required to the sensor but that's not the case with the regular pertronix points replacement module.

    Also if you're using a system with a remote mounted ignition box then shielded ignition wires could be of benafit but either regular resistance wire or copper wires with resister plugs would almost certainly all that's required- copper wires with regular plugs will certainly generte emi/rfi.

    The plug wire offered by Pertronix in the above link mention "shielded", but lacking a ground connection to earth the shield to they won't do much. If you want to see what real shielded wires look like find an engine bay pic of a M38A1.


    I think we may be dealing with an "urban legend" here. :rolleyes:
     
  14. Oct 30, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    I wasn't going to comment..
    Once again, I must be either lucky, ignorant or both.
    My V6 plug wires are factory stock....and very old.
    Pertronix works fine; haven't burnt it up.
     
  15. Oct 30, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Hmm.....maybe the admonition to use shielded spark plug wires applies to the Pertronix Ignitor II (and possibly III), but not to the Ignitor I module?:


    [​IMG]


    In the Dispatcher article I referred to above, the author was describing the installation of a Pertronix Ignitor II module in his '65 CJ-5 F134.


    I found this info re. solid core spark plug wires, but can't vouch for its accuracy (from How to Choose Spark Plug Wires):

    Solid Core: Solid core spark plug wires typically utilize stainless steel or copper, which conducts electrical current very well. For that reason, solid core wires have lower resistance than other wires to get maximum energy to the plugs. Unfortunately, solid core offers very little EMI/RFI suppression, so they’re not suited for electronic ignition systems or vehicles with sensitive communications equipment.
    Note: I am not an electronics expert, nor do I even play one on TV, so I may very well be completely off the mark here....
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2019
  16. Oct 30, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I'm seeing the warning about not using solid core wires but nothing about shielded ones, the normal alternative would be resistance wire. Why not wire core with resister plugs seems to be a mystery.:rolleyes:

    Is the 9h0-143 intended for a stock F4 distributor? All I can find for a reference refers to it being for a Holly. :confused: The only unit I can find listed specifically for the F4 is the 1144A and/or the 2542.
     
  17. Oct 31, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Maybe plug wires that provide EMI/RFI suppression are what are being described - perhaps inaccurately - as "shielded" wires in the Dispatcher article?
     
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  18. Oct 31, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Could be.

    I think the takeaway here is that not all pertronix units are the same, what works/is required for one does not necessarily apply to others. In the OP's case ( p/n 1541N6) there doesn't seem to be an installation instruction sheet available on the the web so we can't tell exactly what the actual requirements are. :(
     
  19. Oct 31, 2019
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I agree with this....I think the take away would be "don't use solid core wires with a Pertronix"
     
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  20. Oct 31, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I just re-read the Dispatcher article, and noticed that toward the end of the portion describing the installation process, the author writes, "Now replace spark plug wires with shielded suppressor core type to prevent feedback to the Ignitor II."

    So it would appear that EMI/RFI suppression is indeed what he was referring to by the term "shielded".
     
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