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Which Pertronix for my '65?

10K views 24 replies 13 participants last post by  wife  
#1 ·
Just wanting to see what model is best for the 289 in my '65. Wanting to make sure the ignition system is up to snuff, and was definitely wanting to get rid of the points.

On a side note, got my cooling system all rebuilt (aside from water pump), and put the car in its first show today. Met some nice people, and enjoyed seeing all the other 60's Stangs. Good times! :thumbsup:
 
#2 ·
Just wanting to see what model is best for the 289 in my '65. Wanting to make sure the ignition system is up to snuff, and was definitely wanting to get rid of the points.

On a side note, got my cooling system all rebuilt (aside from water pump), and put the car in its first show today. Met some nice people, and enjoyed seeing all the other 60's Stangs. Good times! :thumbsup:
FWIW, most folks over at SBF forums recommended to me that our '68 with a mid 80's 302 would benefit from the Pertronics Flamethrower 111. I'm likely going to replace our Chinese HEI style unit with that.

HTH's,

P.S. I'm incredibly envious of you being able to get to a car show in Feb......wer'e at least 2 months away from that :(
 
#3 ·
If you don't have a lot of engine mods, go with the II. The only difference between the II and the III is that the III has a programmable rev limiter. On a mostly stock engine, valve float sort of acts as a limiter already, so you won't get any added benefit by paying more for the III.
 
#7 ·
Exotic ignition systems are the least dollar-for-dollar effective engine upgrade.

The Pertronix I is more than sufficient. It will operate on stock wiring and voltage, and your dwell with be right on, permanently. I know all the magazines tout bazillion volt multi spark systems, but really, it's not needed. This is the ignition system on Dan Gurney's Riverside-winning 427 Ford, capable of 200 mph. How fast are you planning to drive to Dairy Queen?

Image
 
#8 ·
Exotic ignition systems are the least dollar-for-dollar effective engine upgrade.

The Pertronix I is more than sufficient. It will operate on stock wiring and voltage, and your dwell with be right on, permanently. I know all the magazines tout bazillion volt multi spark systems, but really, it's not needed. This is the ignition system on Dan Gurney's Riverside-winning 427 Ford, capable of 200 mph. How fast are you planning to drive to Dairy Queen?

Image
Good point indeed. We do tend to get caught up in the "lastest and greatest" hype don't we, by times.
 
#10 ·
I've got the Pertronix I in mine and as far as I know, it's been there since... well, prior to 2003? Never had problems with it and the car will always fire right up and run smoothly. I have heard of problems with some of the other units, but minimal problems with the I - guess there's less stuff to break in the simpler one. Any problems that they might have had with it when it first came out have doubtless been fixed by now a decade later! :)
 
#12 ·
Just seen that Summit is offering $25 in Summit Bucks on Pertronixs 11's Effectively that takes the price down to $211. Not sure what/if Cj's 20% is offering either. Now, my delimma--I have TFS heads,a mild (comp Xtreme Energy roller) and a Stealth intake....Should I go the extra $50 to get a 111 or save the $$ and go with the 11?? Wondering if the 111 would help out the idle and part throttle considering the cam?? I like to save a few $$ but if the extra would be best for our combo then I don't mind it.
 
#13 ·
Just seen that Summit is offering $25 in Summit Bucks on Pertronixs 11's Effectively that takes the price down to $211.
That's more than double the price of the Pertronix I.

Not sure what/if Cj's 20% is offering either. Now, my delimma--I have TFS heads,a mild (comp Xtreme Energy roller) and a Stealth intake....Should I go the extra $50 to get a 111 or save the $$ and go with the 11??
Then there's saving half of that, as I said above.

Wondering if the 111 would help out the idle and part throttle considering the cam?? I like to save a few $$ but if the extra would be best for our combo then I don't mind it.
The only way Pertronix 1, II, or III will improve that is if the current ignition system is very crappily adjusted. If 20,000 volts won't smooth out your idle, a million won't, either.
 
#14 ·
The only way Pertronix 1, II, or III will improve that is if the current ignition system is very crappily adjusted. If 20,000 volts won't smooth out your idle, a million won't, either.
That makes sence and, if I had a stock dist. or at least knew the origin/age of my current unit I wouldn't even be considering replacing it BUT, the PO sold it to us with a Chinese HEI unit and I really don't trust the quality of it. Another alternative for me is to just buy another import and keep it in the trunk but given the choice I will buy domestic everytime. So, that brings me to either Pertronix (which I have no expereince with) or MSD that I have used for years.
 
#15 · (Edited)
The Pertronix mounts in the stock distributor, correct? There is no need to swap distributors with the Pertronix I/II?

Almost forgot to add this, when you have one of the Pertronix systems, do you set timing by unplugging vacuum advance and turning the distributor?

Thank you all for the help. Getting my '65 into reliable driveable condition is a blast, and you guys are an absolute unbelievable help.
 
#21 ·
What engine does he have? For my wife's 65 I6 200, I bought model 1266. It stated on Amazon that it was for Pre-65 6 cylinder cars but it works fine. I didn't replace her coil so I didn't have to bypass the resistor wire.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N2WB0W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For a 289 V8 the PerTronix 91281 Ignitor II will work fine. I used the Igniter III on my 289 since I wanted the rev limiter feature.
 
#22 ·
Very odd - I've always seen people saying this but my dizzy has not had a ground strap in it for as long as I've had the car. No idea why it doesn't affect my car. I've put thousands of miles on the car this way... :shrug:
 
#18 ·
I've on I in my 289 for about 15 years with 0 problems.
Stan