Ignition upgrade in restoration

[DaJudge]

Hi Bob very easy to install can be done with distributor in the car but highly recommend installing with the distributor out. It will take about 45 minutes to install and that includes resetting the timing etc. I got interested in this unit because of the single wire design and a dyno test that High Performance Pontiac ran between a regular points set up and M&H's unit using the same distributor housing. The M&H unit came out on top with a 2-5 hp gain. I felt that even if it a wash in the HP area that not having to worry about wearing out the distributor cam lobes on an expensive and rare distributor was important to me. Points also have declining efficiency at higher rpms which has a serious effect on your spark voltage and results in poor high-speed performance, incomplete combustion and other drivability problems.

[ANDY M]

Here is a link for the info on the Crane unit:
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/se...7&langId=-1
The rev limiter is in 500rpm increments, adjusted with a screwdriver.
The main reason I chose this unit was I didn't like the idea of missing a shift and sending my revs into a low earth orbit.

[nuch_ss396]

Andy,

I'm with you! I like this rev limiter concept....

Steve

[Seattle Sam]

Andy,
Do you need to replace the resistor wire with the Crane kit? The Mallory kit works with the factory resistor wire.

[ANDY M]

I was advised to replace the points and the coil at the same time, and all of the wires were included.
I didn't do the exchange, since I had it done when the engine was rebuilt.
Here is the link to the Crane catalogue:
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=browsePar...Number=750-1710

[Seattle Sam]

Andy, thanks for the link - I found the installation instructions here.
Looks like this is designed to work WITH the ballast wire..

[COPO427]

I had the original old pertronix box made by Perluxe and it lasted for about 10 years. My early failure symptoms were like a carb was not set correctly. The car ran fine cold but if you took it for a blast through the gears when the unit got hot it would miss then idle bad. It finally died one night. I thought it would be the Pertronix but a friend of mine thought the carb due to flooding. I tried another needle and seat with no success, the car would not fire up.

So I rebuilt the carb, removed my gas tank and drained it, it was clean and the rad shop wondered why I brought it in cause it was so clean for a 70 tank. I did find that I needed a new fuel sending pickup sock. GM still had the sock for a Chevelle and not the Camaro. The only diff was a few thou I needed to ream to fit the fuel line. After installing the carb and tank, the car wouldn't idle correctly after a few minutes of idle (while the Pertronics was warming up). I knew then that I had to remove it and put back the points and condensor. I did the swap, set the dwell then went for a rip. Went through all 4 gears with churps. Since I have a supply of points to use up I decided to run the car with points again with no further problems.