Pertronix Ignition

[Elvis]

Does anyone have any idea how long those modules should last? My first one failed after about 7 years which I thought was fine. I just had another one fail at about 6 months. Another 70 bucks for a tow truck. Are these things unreliable or was this just bad luck? E.

[69fastback]

I had problems with them. I switched over to a msd distributor and haven't had a problem with it. The car ran alot better also.

[Elvis]

OK. Excuse my ignorance but does the MSD distributor have an internal electronic ignition module? Thanks. E.

[mustangII460]

I think they are great for those wanting to keep stock appearence.

But another low budget option is the Ford Duraspark dist and module. Early 1980's cars had the right distributor gear for the regular cams. One year, around 1986-7? had the hardened gear for a roller motor.

Make your own harness. They drop right in and work great.

[okiedragster]

But another low budget option is the Ford Duraspark dist and module

ive used the Duraspark too for years with no problems at all...went to the salvage pulled the entire harness and dist. and module and dropped it in no problem...check this link

http://home.cfl.rr.com/fatrichard/duraspark/eec.htm

[Elvis]

Well, my problem is deeper than I thought. With my new Pertronix module installed I tuned the carb tonight and the car was running great. Then after about 10 minutes of running it died. I mean it just quit and would not fire. After about 10 minutes of deep thought and some expletives I took the distributor cap off to check the module. The module was so hot I could hardly hold onto it. Should it be that hot? Is it possible that my distributor is failing and causing the module to overheat and fail? I'm grasping at straws here. HELP!!! E.

[mustangII460]

Next time it dies pull off a plug wire and check for spark.

[Elvis]

There is no spark right now. I am quite certain that if I had a new module to put in it would fire up but would quit again after 10-15 minutes. This is my second module in the last couple of weeks. The third in 6 months. Each time the car just died after 10 or 15 minutes. Something is causing the modules to fail. Can a weak distributor do this? Is it normal for the module to get that hot? This is very frustrating! E.

[DeltaMustang65]

This is just a thought, but maybe your voltage regulator has taken a dump? I'm not sure if this would screw up your distributor or anything, but new ones are cheap and not a bad place to start if the one you have now is visibly deteriorated anyway. I changed mine when I installed a new alternator and wiring. Also, I installed the petronix ignition module in my original (and showing it's age) distributor 5 years ago and have had no problems whatsoever.

[Elvis]

Well, I believe the problem may be solved. I called Pertronix tech support and explained the problem. I also told them that I had installed a Pertronix Flamethrower II coil not long before this problem started. I was told that the Flamethrower II coil has .6 ohm resistance and is not compatible with the Pertronix Igniter module and that it will cause the module to fail. Nobody told me that! Anyway, I will get a new module and a new compatible coil and should be good to go. Two tow trucks, 3 modules and 2 coils - an expensive lesson. E.