Points replacement

[trickc]

I'd like to do away with the points on the 73, I've considered pertronix kit but have read some really bad reviews about how they fail and ultimately they go back to points for reliability.

Summitt racing has a house brand distributor that is very similar to the Davis Unified setup but alot cheaper. Anybody used one? Is this all you need or does it need some type of timing controller like the msd boxes?

[tgreese]

I'd like to do away with the points on the 73, I've considered pertronix kit but have read some really bad reviews about how they fail and ultimately they go back to points for reliability.

Summit racing has a house brand distributor that is very similar to the Davis Unified setup but alot cheaper. Anybody used one? Is this all you need or does it need some type of timing controller like the msd boxes?

If you want electronic ignition, the points (Kettering trigger) will trigger a MSD module, and that will control the spark. This relieves the points of coil switching, and they would last a looong time, until the fiber block that rides on the distributor cam wears out. The MSD will give you a hotter and longer spark, and is a significant upgrade. The Delco distributor that came from the factory in these Jeeps is a very good distributor, and if you stay with the Delco you will avoid the possible mismatch between the distributor gear and cam gear that comes with a distributor swap. This mismatch can be bad...

You can even fit the Delco with a big cap and HEI wires if you want to.

Lots and lots of ignition options for these engines. Search "GM HEI" to find many threads.

[72jeeperjoe]

Having an msd set up is always nice. I have used Petronix in the past on three motors I had with no issues. A lot of people who write bad reviews do not upgrade the coil at the same time which will lead to the unit going bad. On all three motors I have used them on I upgraded the coil as recommended and loved it. I use msd on my Turbo Mustang and love it, but if I had a stocker I would use petronix without any hesitation.

[FSJunkie]

I've never heard of a Pertronix Ignitor I or II module failing. I've used both and I ended up going back to points just because I got sick and tired of people telling me that points suck and are unreliable, so I set out to prove them wrong because I can be a spiteful a$$ at times.

I was also trained in how to properly diagnose points, so by running them in my own cars I keep my knowledge sharp and preserve that knowledge for the future of classic car ownership.

[Nikkormat]

I'll put in another vote for an ignitor 2.

[bufurd]

I've also got 3 vehicals running Pertronix ignition, no issues. If you're worried, put the points unit in the Pertronix box and throw it in the glove box. Keeping that high quality distributor you have as mentioned is a huge step towards reliability.

[tgreese]

Something else to consider ... the Pertronix module can also trigger a MSD module just like the points can. Connected just the same way. In either case, if the MSD module fails, you can run on the points or Pertronix trigger with the coil until you correct the problem with the MSD module. "Defense in depth."

The Pertronix module is simply a big transistor that takes the place of the points opening and closing. The timing and spark intensity are no different from the points ignition unless you add other "high performance" parts.

[trickc]

[QUOTE=bufurd Keeping that high quality distributor you have as mentioned is a huge step towards reliability. [/QUOTE]

There in lies part of my problem, I suspect my distributor is worn as in the little part that spins and opens/closes the points, the edges are looking a little rounded. I have an old school craftsman tune up box that I use to set tach/dwell and such and was having a hard time getting the dwell up to spec according to the manual. The truck "feels" like its getting weak spark and sputters/misses kind of randomly. I know there are alot of variables in this but was thinking a better distributor/coil setup might be an answer.

[72jeeperjoe]

That?s where replacing points with the Petronix set up would work well. I do highly recommend replacing the coil with a petronix unit as well. It doesn?t hurt to replace wires and plugs while your at it.

[bufurd]

Correct when the points are new, but they (points) go down hill from there without maintenance. That's the advantage, the conversion is install and forget about it. Not picking on points, they are very reliable.

[FSJunkie]

If his distributor is worn out then it will never run right with points unless it is rebuilt.

Pertronix is much more forgiving of worn out distributor bushings, but they're still a good idea to replace since slop in the distributor shaft could affect the drive gears or oil pump. Eckler's Corvette sells bushings for Delco-Remy distributors.

[Rod2]

I have Pertronix in my truck and my '66 VW bug; they've been in each for years with no problems. On a side note, when I removed the distributor in the truck, I found a worn roll pin on the shaft that allowed a 5 to 10 degree slop in the gear that was promptly repaired before re-install.