[JVM225]

I've had the Petronix under my cap for about 14 or 15 years now with no issues.

[Darth Menace]

Originally Posted by JVM225

I've had the Petronix under my cap for about 14 or 15 years now with no issues.

Good to know. Is it the pertronix 1181 that is for the 67 gto?

[PaulatFast]

Crane Xr-I replaces the points, includes a built in adjustable rev-limiter and is very economical. We have installed over 20 of these units and have never had an issue. We have replaced Pertronix units several times, the ones we replaced we did not install originally, they had all been installed long ago. I have never seen any other unit, from Mallory or anyone, designed the same as the Crane xr-i.

[Darth Menace]

I just snagged up the original Pentronix. I am not going to attempt until middle/end of feb,,,I want to finish succeed with some other odd jobs before I take this one that will likely anger me . Anyway, thanks for the info..as always it is very helpful

[JVM225]

It's been a long time since I installed it, so I don't know the part number or what else it may fit.
From what I remember though, the ordering is pretty straight forward.

[Darth Menace]

Hey guys, i am wanting to take the dist off so i can get this ready. Before i go willy nilly, is there any special instructions on taking the distributor off? I have to mark the position somehow for something

Thanks

[gtohurstjudge]

Darth, take the cap off and make a reference mark as to where the ignition
rotor contact is pointing. If it is in a place that is hard to reference, tip the starter till it lines up with something you can make a note of. Then just remove the 9/16 hold down bolt and clamp and disconnect the negative wire from the coil and pull the distributor out. Putting it back is trickier because you have to line up the oil pump drive with a long flat blade screwdriver so that the distributor will drop all the way back in. As you pull the distributor out, it rotates and turns the oil pump drive shaft that is driven by the bottom of the distributor gear, then when you go to put it back the oil pump drive is in the wrong place and won't let the distributor drop all the way in. You have turn the oil pump drive a little at a time with the screw driver and when you hit the right spot it will drop back in with the rotor pointed the same way. Also remember to index the distributor housing where the vacuum advance points to the same place. Remember do not under any circumstances turn the engine over with the distributor out or you will be out of time and you'll have to find no. 1 cylinder top dead center compression stroke and point the rotor at no. 1 plug wire on the cap

[Darth Menace]

thanks for the info..,..it's an ordeal, so I am getting my mechanic to help me on sat.

[Engine-Ear]

Any interest in trying a "Dave's Small Body HEI" unit?

[Darth Menace]

Originally Posted by gtohurstjudge

Darth, take the cap off and make a reference mark as to where the ignition
rotor contact is pointing. If it is in a place that is hard to reference, tip the starter till it lines up with something you can make a note of. Then just remove the 9/16 hold down bolt and clamp and disconnect the negative wire from the coil and pull the distributor out. Putting it back is trickier because you have to line up the oil pump drive with a long flat blade screwdriver so that the distributor will drop all the way back in. As you pull the distributor out, it rotates and turns the oil pump drive shaft that is driven by the bottom of the distributor gear, then when you go to put it back the oil pump drive is in the wrong place and won't let the distributor drop all the way in. You have turn the oil pump drive a little at a time with the screw driver and when you hit the right spot it will drop back in with the rotor pointed the same way. Also remember to index the distributor housing where the vacuum advance points to the same place. Remember do not under any circumstances turn the engine over with the distributor out or you will be out of time and you'll have to find no. 1 cylinder top dead center compression stroke and point the rotor at no. 1 plug wire on the cap

Oh wait, I don't have to find top dead centre until I am installing the distributor. The way the mechanic told me, I had to get find it before taking it off. The top dead centre is where I become stumped in the instructions. At least I can take the distributor off and install the kit prior to him coming on the weekend to install it.

[rexs73gto]

Darth , you don't have to worry about to dead center when you take it out. When you remove the dist. all you need to do is put it back in the same place you took it out. As far as the oil pump drive if you don't turn over the car when you take it out it should go right back in place. If your a tooth off it won't sit all the way back down in the hole. If it doesn't all you do is pull it back out turn it a tooth more & put it back in . When it sits back down all the way your done. You will then after it's back in & running have to do a final timing adjustment as the pertroncs will make it off a bit. Also when you pull it out make sure it's cold & you haven't turned it over in the last hour or so. The oil pump drive will turn if you have turned it over & have not let it sit for a while. Then installing the unit should take about 10-15 min.'s at most.

[Darth Menace]

there is a clear piece of plastic on the bottom of the ring. Does this come off or stay on?

[Darth Menace]

got it all together. now time for the instal;

[Darth Menace]

installed, but just the motor turning over and over and over...plus a nice backfire.

[Darth Menace]

Nevermind...wrong firing order. It started like a charm compared to before. I have to say I am pumped. Now on to new plugs, coil, carb and tune

I read somewhere that I should regap the plugs. Is this true, or can I keep the factory gap?

[rexs73gto]

with the better ign. set up & you will have a better coil when it's installed , so yes you should regap but only go another 5ths to start & see how it starts & runs. Then you may want to go to the 45ths. setting that is as far as you should go. I really like the E-3 plugs. I have them in all of my cars.

[Darth Menace]

Originally Posted by rexs73gto

with the better ign. set up & you will have a better coil when it's installed , so yes you should regap but only go another 5ths to start & see how it starts & runs. Then you may want to go to the 45ths. setting that is as far as you should go. I really like the E-3 plugs. I have them in all of my cars.

Ya, I think for now I will stick with the nwe NGK plugs I put in. They have seen 0 miles since installed. I will get the new coil/plugs installed and go from there. Thanks for the help guys. This is amazing getting this installed with only one minor glitch....I was sure I was going to mess up the positinging of the distributor when I put it back in

[Darth Menace]

Oh ya, I read about this ballast resistor, should I have done anything about this because I wired it with the instructions as though it didn't have one. Also, if I get the pertronix coil, do I have to rewire anything or is it plug and play