Petronix to Points back conversion

[LarryW]

> Larry, I am very confused as to what you are doing and why. I did some research and the Cadillac 500 in at least some years had an HEI
> distributor. Why not forget the points system all together and just carry a complete HEI and be done with it. Swap the distributor in, plug in the
> +12 volts, 8 spark plug wires, and vacuum advance and you will be done. Set the timing and drive home.
>
> With the HEI swap in you get everything replaced except the wires and plugs. It takes a +12 volts in without a ballast resistor and it just runs.
> There is nothing mechanical to set, or keep clean, or wear like a points system. You could be on the road in 15 minutes. just get the rotor
> pointing to the correct cylinder when you insert the new one into the engine hole. I bought a new cheepie Chinese one years ago and carry it. I
> installed it once to make sure I had a good spare and then stored is somewhere in my coach I thought about attaching a doggie treat to it so my dog
> could find by smell if I ever needed it.

Ken,
Thanks for your input and concern. So here's the deal. A number of years ago I made the conversion from points to a Pertronix Hall effect. That set-up
dropped a magnet and took out the Pertronix sensor. I replaced that magnet style with a Lobe Sensing which does not have magnets. Fortunately this
happened in my driveway and not on the road. But it got me thinking about what happens if this one dies in the middle of nowhere. These new Lobe
Sensing units are VERY reliable, so unlikely that I will have trouble with it. However that is what I thought when I put the original Pertronix in. I
just decided that I should have a cheap back-up. I already have a spare points distributor. It is costing me nothing to put this spare together, and
carry in my pod. Why spend money on something that I likely will never use when I can put together a spare from parts I already have? I could put
together another Pertronix or get a HEI but would likely cost me at least a "C" note to do it. Does that clear up your confusion?
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.

 

[roy keen]

I did like Ken I carried a recurved hei for a spare it came in handy a couple of times and I was sure glad I had it. My choice of distributors for the
engine has always been primarily a recurved hei they are pretty reliable ,inexpensive and parts easy to come by. I see your point as you already have
a spare any type of distributor that is easy to swap in an emergency would be a great help if it was ever needed it will keep you on the road. For the
resistor just get one that mounts to the coil it will protect the points from burning out .
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook

 

[RJW]

> I just decided that I should have a cheap back-up. I already have a spare points distributor. It is costing me nothing to put this spare
> together, and carry in my pod. Why spend money on something that I likely will never use when I can put together a spare from parts I already have?
> I could put together another Pertronix or get a HEI but would likely cost me at least a "C" note to do it.

Larry,
For those reasons, I think putting my Springfield Ignition HEI distributor in the pod as a backup makes sense to me. Costs me nothing (except the
loss of maybe selling it to someone) to store in the pod rather than in my attic. It does not take up much space in the pod and weighs little. Thanks
for suggesting it.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.

 

[Irish Rogue]

Richard:
That makes sense to me and I would do the same if I had a spare. Actually thinking of investing in a spare as I had distributor problems twice in 15 months in my 76 28’ stretch.
1st time a mechanic friend from Tx. fixed it so we could get home. 2nd time a mechanic friend from IL. found a broken wire deep in the internals of the distributor. Thank you Carroll and Dave.
I feel it is now permanently fixed but the 2nd one caused a $1,200 towing bIll and caused us to miss a GMCMI convention. Needless to say I am a bit gun shy at this point.
Just sayin - smart move - my GMC friend!!!
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>

>> I just decided that I should have a cheap back-up. I already have a spare points distributor. It is costing me nothing to put this spare
>> together, and carry in my pod. Why spend money on something that I likely will never use when I can put together a spare from parts I already have?
>> I could put together another Pertronix or get a HEI but would likely cost me at least a "C" note to do it.
>
> Larry,
> For those reasons, I think putting my Springfield Ignition HEI distributor in the pod as a backup makes sense to me. Costs me nothing (except the
> loss of maybe selling it to someone) to store in the pod rather than in my attic. It does not take up much space in the pod and weighs little. Thanks
> for suggesting it.
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
>
>
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[Ken B]

Yes, I guess so but I still like the HEI option better because in one operation you replace everything including the coil.

But your way would get most of it replaced. The ignition resistor is there to limit the current across the points. When the current is too high they
burn. Neihoff use to make a special set of points with a hole in the middle to combat some of that. If the capacitor (condenser) gets old and ages
out they burn. It does not take long. My problem is I do not know what that current value is where they burn. So I can not tell what resistance
value to use with which coil. Some points applications do not use a resistor, they simply have a higher resistance in the primary side of the coil.
It works, but you loose the bypass of the resistor when the engine is cranking to make it easier starting. Good luck with your project. Carry an
extra coil with you if you choose to go the points route.

I do not know the Cadillac distributor mounting clearance to he air cleaner. Maybe it is like the OLDS and needs a dent in the bottom of the air
cleaner to clear the HEI. That is something else to think about if you choose the HEI route.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana