[Fullback66]

I am running points in my 389 tri-power '66 GTO. I am thinking about going to electric.

Questions:
1. Is Pertronix ignitor a good brand to get?

2. Do I have to take the whole distributor out of the engine to instal?

3. What is the benifits of removing the points and going to electric?

4. How long did it take to switch them out?

thanks
fb66

[RichL1967]

I have a 67 GTO with the 400 4bbl. and the first thing I did after I got it was put in the Pertronix unit.
I love it. I have not had any trouble with it at all. Runs great.
You will need to pull the distributor out because you need to install a spacer washer under the gear at the end of the distributor.
The electric wont wear out like mechanical points do.
Took me about an hour. but I was taking my time. It's real easy. All you need is a wrench, screwdriver, and a timing light.
Just make sure you remember exactly where the rotor was pointing for when you drop it back in. And re-time the engine when your done.

[Rugratman]

MSD, plug and play.
The ready to run distributer is a great product.

[Tfisher15]

I have the Pertronix on my 66 GTO with 389. Works great. It is easier to install if you pull the distributor. As I recall, the only issue is getting the switched 12 volts to the unit. You can go through the firewall to the ignition switch or splice into the plug at the firewall as I did.

I've heard that some people have had failures if they leave their ignition switch on without the car running.

Hope this helps.

Todd

[oldbirds]

My experience was the same - easy to install, good success, no problems in a 70 RAIII Firebird. Although I didn't drive it a lot, it was installed for several years, no problems. I think there's an Ignitor II model that avoids the issue with leaving the key on with the engine not running. Its been a few years but when I did the research before buying, as I recall I ended up spending a couple bucks more to get the II version. Avoiding points in these engines is a big help - the RAIII ate points.

The MSD is good also, but the advantage of the Pertronix is you keep the original distributor, and if nobody notices the extra wire the car looks totally original and stock.

[tom s]

I use both the Daves SB HEI and the petronix,like them both.Tom

[Cardo]

I have the Pertronix also, but didn't have to remove the dist. to install.... my setup picks up off the original cam for the points. The one mentioned above is more of a universal one.... i think. Anyone else have one that picks up off of the distributor cam?

[ksgto]

I installed the pertronix unit in mine also pulled the dist out to do it it also runs off the dist cam. I've had the ignition on for hours listening to the radio without any problem to the system. I also took a black piece of heat shrink tubing and went over the two wires. Looks like there's only one wire coming out of the dist. now.

[Jerry H.]

I have used the deal from M&H electric (the company that makes the most of the wiring harnesses). I love it, and customers loved it. It has only 1 wire coming from the distributor, just like stock. Petronix has two.

www.breakerless.com

[3 Deuce 64]

Originally Posted by ksgto

I installed the pertronix unit in mine also pulled the dist out to do it it also runs off the dist cam. I've had the ignition on for hours listening to the radio without any problem to the system. I also took a black piece of heat shrink tubing and went over the two wires. Looks like there's only one wire coming out of the dist. now.

I did about the same thing but had a second dist with same part number so I left the points in the original and changed over the other one . I also used the pertronix II system it was recommended because of the key on burn out mentioned earlier the II system isn't supposed to do that .
I love it no more dwell and break up at higher rpms and easy hook up I just used the stock existing wires from the ignition and tach .No one has picked up on it and I've had guys with their heads pocked under the hood

[goathead68]

I've used the Mallory Unilite conversion with no problems and that one you can install with the distributor still in the car.

Currently using a Mallory Unilite distributor in the GTO only because I got a good deal on it. It hasn't given me any problems in the five years it's been in the car.

[Tripower455]

I've had a Daves Small Body in mine for abour a year now. I was having problems with burning up modules, and in the course of "throw money at the problem" troubleshooting, installed an MSD 6AL (it turned out that the coil was the culprit!)....

I am using Dave's conversion, sans the module with this setup, and it works great. Much better starts, idle and low/midrange throttle response.

[vidguy]

I have run the same Unilite since the 80's and have had zero problems.

[Blue1967GTO]

Originally Posted by Cardo

I have the Pertronix also, but didn't have to remove the dist. to install.... my setup picks up off the original cam for the points. The one mentioned above is more of a universal one.... i think. Anyone else have one that picks up off of the distributor cam?

I too am running the Pertronix unit that picks up the signal off the distributor cam lobe. Took about 30 minutes to install with the distributor in the car and has worked flawlessly for the past 2 years.

[Fred's red sled]

And I have the Pertronix unit also that picks up off the distributor cam lobe. Took 30 minutes. I carry my points unit with me just in case but after three summers mine works flawlessly. I'd heard they blow easily if you have to jump start your car. I've done this twice (left the driving lights on) and it stills works as day one.
It's really cool to stroll through the crowd of jealous onlookers, hop in my ride, touch the key and have this puppy fire up instantly. Very cool and impressive. Do it today man!
You'll love it.

[kyle_blake]

I still wonder if the crane xr-1 with rev limiter is still the best approach.
Having that rev limiter there is extra insurance.

[Cardo]

Crane wasn't out when i did mine, I'm running the Pertronix with a MSD 6AL with the rev limiter. 4 years now with no problems and no fouled plugs. Just another option.....

[67GTONUT]

MSD Ready to Run here....... love it

[Habanero]

I run the Pertronix in my 65 Cat wagon. first time I put one in. Mine is the set that has a ring that goes under the rotor cap with little washers that shim it to the right gap to a brick unit that goes where the points go. The instructions said to pull the dist. and put a washer by the ring gear, but when i did it would'nt let the dist. turn. , So I just run it as is and it runs GREAT!! No problems yet. I went that way cause once a month I would burn a set of points,even after I put in a resistor. Run like a champ now.

[sixxty7]

i used the m@h. single wire. works great! very easy to do. maybe a little over an hour. removed distributor to install kit. reinstall distributor and reset the timing. upside it has only one wire, which appears stock versus two with pertronix. also i have heard about problems with pertonix when just listening to the radio.something about the system shorting out. never no problems with the m@h. just my 2 cents.....