Troublesome Pertronix Install, something to watch out for |
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Troublesome Pertronix Install, something to watch out for |
McMark |
Dec 31 2010, 10:23 PM
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#1
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
I rebuilt a distributor today and installed a Pertronix unit, and ran into a problem that I never had/noticed before. This was a 039xxx205A distributor and the problem was that the little 'finger' in the bottom right was running into the Pertronix mounting plate. This interference was completely eliminating any vacuum advance.
5 minutes with a file and it was all fixed. If you've got a Pertronix, this would be something to look for and should be visible simply by removing the cap and rotor and jumping in the engine bay with a flashlight. Always learn something new. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Attached image(s) |
tradisrad |
Dec 31 2010, 10:30 PM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 985 Joined: 11-September 06 From: San Mateo, CA Member No.: 6,815 Region Association: Northern California |
I will go and check mine. I am pretty sure I have no interference, but...
So I wonder how may people will go and check their dizzys now? |
76-914 |
Dec 31 2010, 10:39 PM
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#3
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Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist Group: Members Posts: 13,613 Joined: 23-January 09 From: Temecula, CA Member No.: 9,964 Region Association: Southern California |
Thx for the tip. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
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silver74insocal |
Dec 31 2010, 10:45 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 736 Joined: 26-November 09 From: rancho cucamonga Member No.: 11,073 Region Association: Southern California |
great info! what were the symptoms that led you to this?
at some point i will go install mine.. |
McMark |
Dec 31 2010, 11:09 PM
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#5
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
Well, since this was just a distributor rebuild, I discovered it when I was testing the vacuum canister. I would suck on the advance tube and it would only move the slightest bit. I knew the canister was working (tested it before installing it) so I started pulling parts off until I found the hangup.
But if a running car were suffering from this 'condition' it would lack some acceleration oomph, especially WOT acceleration. |
JRust |
Dec 31 2010, 11:24 PM
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#6
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,309 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Corvallis Oregon Member No.: 129 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Ooh! That is mine I think (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)
Big shocker something else a little screwy with my LE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) |
detoxcowboy |
Dec 31 2010, 11:27 PM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,294 Joined: 30-January 08 Member No.: 8,642 Region Association: Africa |
Nice heads up..
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Cap'n Krusty |
Jan 1 2011, 12:11 AM
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#8
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
Sure you bought the right Pertronix model? That question assumes there IS a right Pertronix model, which, IMO, doesn't exist.
The Cap'n, the anti-Pertronix. |
914werke |
Jan 1 2011, 04:24 AM
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#9
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"I got blisters on me fingers" Group: Members Posts: 10,586 Joined: 22-March 03 From: USofA Member No.: 453 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Cap'n, respect your experience but ...get over it.
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sean_v8_914 |
Jan 1 2011, 11:27 AM
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#10
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Chingon 601 Group: Members Posts: 4,011 Joined: 1-February 05 From: San Diego Member No.: 3,541 |
thats one of those goofy things that could make a guy chase ghosts for days
..sometimes the rotor will not seat all the way down due to the clearance taken up by the magnet sleeve thing. a little grinding wheel action may be required |
Cap'n Krusty |
Jan 1 2011, 11:41 AM
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#11
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
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McMark |
Jan 1 2011, 01:10 PM
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#12
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
1847V for vaccuum.
1847A for non-vacuum. I bought the right one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) |
Drums66 |
Jan 3 2011, 06:13 PM
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#13
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914 Rudiments Group: Members Posts: 5,321 Joined: 15-January 03 From: Coronado,Cali Member No.: 151 Region Association: Southwest Region |
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realred914 |
Jan 3 2011, 11:12 PM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,086 Joined: 1-April 10 From: california Member No.: 11,541 Region Association: None |
I will go and check mine. I am pretty sure I have no interference, but... So I wonder how may people will go and check their dizzys now? Tradisrad you are ok, we checked for it when your pertronix was installed. , I have for years since my first pertronix in a Bug, bench tested the dizzy advacne / retard operation every time i do a pertronix install. also areas of concern are the rotor hitting the unit, some roters are wider and can hit them. So make sure you test for rubbing with the ROTOR INSTALLED ALSO!!!!! in addition to the part mcmark pointed out. also note you can buy different pertronix ,some modles will fit better than others, but always please check the advance,/ retard operation on each new install, thats part of the install. |
Root_Werks |
Jan 4 2011, 10:57 AM
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#15
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Village Idiot Group: Members Posts: 8,426 Joined: 25-May 04 From: About 5NM from Canada Member No.: 2,105 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Not sure what all the beef is. I had one fail on me some 15 years ago, run them in just about every POS I've ever owned and they seem to hold up and work great. Shoot, I even ran one for 5 years in a 914 that logged over 20k miles. Never skipped a beat.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) |
dr914@autoatlanta.com |
Jan 4 2011, 11:24 AM
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#16
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 8,055 Joined: 3-January 07 From: atlanta georgia Member No.: 7,418 Region Association: None |
WE thought that the pertronix and compufire units, when introduced for the type four distributor, were the be all end all, and in the beginning it was: Units that eliminated the messy points condenser, kept the dwell and timing steady, provided better fuel economy, easier cold starts, and smoother idle, AND would hide under the distributor cap.
What we have learned over the years is that it has a high failure rate due to the excessive heat of the air cooled engine, actually reduces the total horsepower of the engine, AND has clearance problems! I would NEVER drive my 914 on a long trip without carrying a set of points and a condenser with me. Too bad we thought that we had a solution. I have one in my Dad's 64 Riviera and it has never failed, but of course that is a water cooled engine with a BIG distributor! |
realred914 |
Jan 4 2011, 11:50 AM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,086 Joined: 1-April 10 From: california Member No.: 11,541 Region Association: None |
WE thought that the pertronix and compufire units, when introduced for the type four distributor, were the be all end all, and in the beginning it was: Units that eliminated the messy points condenser, kept the dwell and timing steady, provided better fuel economy, easier cold starts, and smoother idle, AND would hide under the distributor cap. What we have learned over the years is that it has a high failure rate due to the excessive heat of the air cooled engine, actually reduces the total horsepower of the engine, AND has clearance problems! I would NEVER drive my 914 on a long trip without carrying a set of points and a condenser with me. Too bad we thought that we had a solution. I have one in my Dad's 64 Riviera and it has never failed, but of course that is a water cooled engine with a BIG distributor! near 20 years running a pertronix in my aircooled cars, and no failures. maybe something is wrong causing it to over heat? had plenty of points fail on me however. some even melted!!!! repaired one set of points on a road trip once, with a match book cover. points suck dick, always drifting and needing adjustment. but yes i do keep the old spare points in the spare kit, just is since using pertronix, I have never the need to install the spare points, ever. i am happy with pertronix!!! nice product |
Als914 |
Jan 4 2011, 12:14 PM
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#18
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Lighting my way Group: Members Posts: 330 Joined: 1-January 06 From: Hemet,Ca. Member No.: 5,346 Region Association: Southern California |
I guess I am one of the fortunate few who has dodged all the Pertronix failures. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
I have been running my Pertonix, model 911E, part #1847 in my daily driver since 1996 without any issues. BTW, I bought it from A.A. and had my local mechanic install it...Have been happy with it all along and have not seen or touched points since then. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) Based on my experience I would by another. |
GTeener |
Jan 5 2011, 03:38 PM
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#19
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914 Girl Group: Members Posts: 2,348 Joined: 25-June 04 From: SillyCon Valley Member No.: 2,249 Region Association: Northern California |
I had 2 fail before replacing it with an MSD which has never failed.
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windforfun |
Jan 5 2011, 04:17 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,956 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
WE thought that the pertronix and compufire units, when introduced for the type four distributor, were the be all end all, and in the beginning it was: Units that eliminated the messy points condenser, kept the dwell and timing steady, provided better fuel economy, easier cold starts, and smoother idle, AND would hide under the distributor cap. What we have learned over the years is that it has a high failure rate due to the excessive heat of the air cooled engine, actually reduces the total horsepower of the engine, AND has clearance problems! I would NEVER drive my 914 on a long trip without carrying a set of points and a condenser with me. Too bad we thought that we had a solution. I have one in my Dad's 64 Riviera and it has never failed, but of course that is a water cooled engine with a BIG distributor! Do you still sell these? |
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