1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Update: Pertronix Ignitor project

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Thunderpig, Oct 5, 2007.

  1. Oct 5, 2007
    Thunderpig

    Thunderpig Member

    Parachute, Colorado
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2006
    Messages:
    259
    Last Tuesday I put in my first Pertronix ignitor part 1541 for my Jeep. IAD distributor.
    Hooked it up to my Pertronix flamethrower 3.0 ohm coil as recommended by the manufacturer. Turned over the engine and promptly burned up the brand new ignitor.

    Called NAPA they ordered a new one and warranted it. Called Pertronix tech who reviewed with me the install, which was done correctly.

    Just got the replacement in and put it in over lunch. Hit the key engine cranks but does not fire. Pertronix ignitor gets hot to touch but does not melt like the last one.
    Rechecked all plug wires and all connections to no avail.

    Thinking about putting points back in cuz at least it ran a little bit. But now, found that the wife thought the point mounting plate inside the distributor was junk and threw it out. So now I dont have anything to mount the points on. (insert four letter word of choice).

    Does anyone have a plate and the piece that attaches to the coil wire on the outside of the Distributor. It's an IAD distributor.

    Problem adjusting the dwell was the reason I chose to go to Pertronix in the first place. Dwell was at 52 and wasn't running right so I was adjusting carefully but it went down to 46 and then would jump to ZERO and I couldn't get it to be correct, so I said heck with this, and got the Pertronix kit on the recommendation of a member on this site, I won't mention any names to protect his identity .... but he goes by RONDOG. I remember way back last year when I posted that I was putting my new engine in and replacing the points etc. Ol' Ron chimes in and says...."while your at it just put a new pertronix electronic ignition in, It's much more reliable out on the trail".
    Yeah, reliable that you won't get out on the trail!R)
    I'm just kidding you rondog....

    Seriously. Any idea what to do.
     
    Thunderpig, Oct 5, 2007
    #1
  2. Oct 5, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Hmm. Ring isn't upside down?
     
    sparky, Oct 5, 2007
    #2
  3. Oct 5, 2007
    Thunderpig

    Thunderpig Member

    Parachute, Colorado
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2006
    Messages:
    259
    Nope,
    Ring has "ears" on it to hold it aligned with the rotor. Rotor is fully seated as well.
     
    Thunderpig, Oct 5, 2007
    #3
  4. Oct 5, 2007
    Vanguard

    Vanguard Take Off! Staff Member

    Vista, CA USA
    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2,260
    Does the Pertronix get hot with the engine off and if so, have you changed your wiring at the ignition switch?
     
    Vanguard, Oct 5, 2007
    #4
  5. Oct 5, 2007
    Thunderpig

    Thunderpig Member

    Parachute, Colorado
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2006
    Messages:
    259
    Nope, Cools off with key off. Gets hot when cranking.
     
    Thunderpig, Oct 5, 2007
    #5
  6. Oct 5, 2007
    Vanguard

    Vanguard Take Off! Staff Member

    Vista, CA USA
    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2,260
    Okay, sounds like the ignition leads didn't get switched. Did the distributor come out of the motor when you installed the Pertronix? I'd say you may have a timing issue. Electronics get hot, if the magic smoke is still inside you're probably good. The Pertronix is going to eliminate the need to set the point gap (the dwell), but you still need to be sparking at the right point.

    If you've got an FSM I'd follow the instructions for installing a new distributor. At a minimum, get the motor to TDC and check that the rotor is pointing at the no 1 plug in the firing sequence. If the cap came loose from the wires during installation, make sure the plug wires are sequenced to the cap in the proper order as well. If you want to test the spark then use a plug tester or the old time spare plug trick.

    It's frustrating to get it right. I just went through this recently with my Mallory Dual Point.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2007
    Vanguard, Oct 5, 2007
    #6
New Posts