check out this thread - http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vintage-mustang-forum/943833-why-should-i-upgrade-ignition.html


after coming over that one I JUST pulled the trigger on a pertronix III and coil - should be here next week.

 

I have a Pertronix I installed on my 65 289. No problems to report yet. It works well. I don't have any experience with Pertronix II or III.

 

Put on your flame suit Martijn! Many people feels strongly on both sides of the fence with regard to this issue. I would say that the general consensus among proponents would be to go with the points replacement Petronix III with a flamethrower coil wired in strict accordance with the instructions. Avoid the Pertronix distributors with built-in components.

 

I have never had a problem with the I. I had a II that lasted about 200 miles and Pertronix refused to replace it. The I is forgiving if you don't run a full 12V while the II and III must have 12 volts.

 

The I is forgiving if you don't run a full 12V while the II and III must have 12 volts.

I just installed the I after talking to the techs at Pertronix; they specifically told me that the I should have a full 12V to the system NOT voltage reduced by a ballast resistor. Not trying to spark an argument (no pun intended) just passing on info I got.

 

run a Pertronix 1. I have installed many, no problems.

 

I went with 3. I like the insurance of having the rev limiter.

 

I installed one Pertronix I. That was 22 years ago, no need for another one yet.

 

I keep a Pertronix in the glove box in case my points ignition dies. every few years I scrape the dust off of the Pertronix box..

; )

all kidding aside, I had 3 Pertronix I fail on my own cars. And more #1's fail on customers cars before I quit using them.

Z

 

I have been running the Pertronix II for years now off of the pink wire with no problem. I just pulled it out to install a Duraspark system to upgrade from the Load-O-Matic distributor, but the Pertronix was still running fine.
Other people haven't had the same experience, but it‘s worked fine for me.

 

personally i would dump the idea of a pertronix, and go with a duraspark distributor, a chrysler orange ignition box, and an msd blaster lll coil. that combination has worked real nice for me on a few cars. and except for the blaster coil, its all factory parts, easy to find everywhere.

 

If the OP is sold on electronic ignitions, this suggestion or an all MSD system makes more sense than the Pertronix. With the Duraspark and MSD you get quality components and quality control in the manufacturing. The Pertonix are made too cheaply to offer either. The forum has many accounts of all the varieties of Pertronix failing. The duraspark or MSD products, while not perfect, are much more reliable. Yes they do cost more. If reliability matters, then the extra cost won't be an issue.

Z

 

I put in a Pertronix I 20 years ago in a daily driver and no issues. Worked fine with a stock coil. I installed a Pertronix coil but couldn't tell any difference from stock. I got tired of resetting points and cleaning spark plugs. Plugs looked good after two years when before I cleaned plugs every 4-6 months. This on a relatively well-maintained six cyl 200.

 

If you leave the key on, which allows power through the ignition, the Pertronix I's are known to fry. In my opinion that is an owner induced failure.

I have used a PII for roughly 15 years. No problems. The PII's self protect against the key on situation.

Don't let the fear mongering get to you.

 

You absolutely do not have to have 12V for a Pertronix I to function just fine. I have installed too many for someone to tell me otherwise and for 15 or 20 years . .when did they come out? I forget. However, that being said, the higher the primary voltage, the greater the secondary voltage will be. So using the resistance circuit doesn't get the most out of the ignition system. Still it is more than stock ignitions achieve, it is reliable and it doesn't degrade. And, it's easy to do.

 

You don't have to have 12V for the Pertronix II to work correctly either.
I installed mine about 12 years ago after reading where PetesPonies posted on the old Fomoco Classic Mustang Forum that he had installed Pertronix units with the resistance wire still in place with no issues. I did the same with a Pertronix II and it has been great for 12 years now.
At the time I originally intended to go back and wire it for a full 12v eventually, but I never got around to it... at this point I figure "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.".

 

Can I vote for "none of the above"? Wait....was this about the Presidential Election?

Anyhow, my vote is DurasparkII distributor with small cap run by a MOPAR Chrome ignition box.

 

after 20 years of a P1 and MSD 6A i went back to straight points.

ida never known the difference. car runs just as good if not better. plugs are just as clean.
so i have to put a light on it every now and then...so let it be.