Swap Mallory with Pertronix FlameThrower HEI III

Discussion in 'Sparky's corner' started by Cutlass, Feb 1, 2020.

  1. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Is it possible to just replace the Mallory module with the one from Pertronix in a stock distributor (wiring aside)? I want to have a rev limiter, thats my motivation. IMG_2126.JPG IMG_3472.JPG
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    From the looks of your pictures I would say no......the hei module goes with the hei dist. That dist uses magnetic pickup and the module controls dwell time and stuff of the coil, your Mallory module err looks like a replacement for a points dist.......that setup uses a hall effect style pickup
     
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  3. Darron72Skylark

    Darron72Skylark Well-Known Member

    If you still have a stock type distributor, then a Pertronix Ignitor 3 module will go right in. It’ll give you multi spark and a rev limiter
     
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  4. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks, I am still confused about HEI. I was under the assumption that HEI means Coil in the CAP. Did not know about the different ways of picking up the signal to fire within the distributor. Would you guys suggest to mate the Igniter III with a Flame Thrower III Coil?
    To find out, if the existing coil is hocked up to the stock type resistance wire I just need to measure the voltage, right? If it is below 10V I need to bypass it and run a standard wire instead, right?
    Any sense in replacing the stock cap and the stock 7mm wires (all new) with a 8mm setup?
     
  5. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Do you have the large diameter cap now with the coil in the cap, or is yours the small diameter stk style cap with external coil.

    Yes make sure you use the correct coil with the flame thrower, they are very sensitive to the resistance in the coil
     
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  6. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Yes, it is the small diameter cap with external coil. Will that work with 8mm wires? I have not found dedicated caps for bigger diameter wires.
    IMG_4053.JPG
     
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  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
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  8. Darron72Skylark

    Darron72Skylark Well-Known Member

    That is exactly the set-up I’m running: Ignitor 3 with matching coil.

    Or, as Larry points out, you could use an external box to get the multi spark and rev limiter.
     
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  9. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks, but I do not want to go with a box, don't want to leave that tuning / racing impression to the German TÜV. So I want to stick with stock appearance as much as possible.
    @Larry, do you have a real crimp tool for the wires, or did you use the included Mini-Stripper-Crimper?
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I have a real crimp tool, but you can achieve good results with the included tool.
     
  11. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  12. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks, but anything wrong with the Pertronix Ignitor 3 module, which I have my eye set on?
     
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Nothing wrong with it that I know. Honestly, I am not a fan of Pertronix, but I am sure the newer stuff is better than the original products they sold.
     
  14. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Tons of questions:
    Manual speaks of "permanent lubrication reservoir", but I could not find what type of lubricant to use.
    upload_2020-5-2_15-11-32.png

    My distributor was filled with something that looked like old, hardened red wheel bearing grease.
    What kind of grease do you recommend?

    It looks like the installed Mallory module uses an optical pickup.
    IMG_0289.JPG IMG_0290.JPG
    I guess that is the reason for this plastic part to be installed:
    IMG_0291.JPG IMG_0284.JPG
    I assume the Pertronix module has a hall sensor and picks up the signal directly from the cams on the distributor shaft.
    IMG_0294.JPG
    Am I right, that I do not need the black part any longer, and that I can bolt down the rotor from the top directly onto the plate, carrying the weights?

    There is no bushing installed to limit mechanical advance.
    IMG_0285.JPG
    Are the brass bushings a press fit, or do they need to be secured by a retainer ring in that groove?

    Here are some markings on the installed parts:
    IMG_0295.JPG IMG_0296.JPG
    Are these the right ones, supposed to be installed in the distributor 1112110 2 A 3?

    Here is what parts I got to play with (weights from Mr Gasket are slightly thicker compared to stock & Moros0):
    IMG_0298.JPG
    I am tempted to use the lightest Moroso springs in combination with the heavy weights from Mr. Gasket, so that I do not have to rev up the engine to high, during initial setup of the timing.
    Any recommendations from you, with which combination to start with?
     
  15. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Not all distributors got a bushing to limit advance. That slot looks pretty short. 1112110 is a 72 455 distributor. It does not have a lot of mechanical advance to begin with. I would not be installing a bushing, and yes they are press fit. A bit of epoxy doesn't hurt.

    1972IgnitionSpecs.jpg

    Leave the stock weights. Play with the springs. Get all the advance in by 3000 RPM.
     
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  16. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    I wouldn't bother with the Pertronix. Mine lasted less than three years and crapped out on me.

    I got the Lectric Limited breakerless setup from Todd Miller, installed it in about a half hour and viola.

    Stock appearing, quality part that just uses the existing distributor wire. I wish I'd done it earlier.

    Of course, that's just my opinion...that and a couple bucks will get me a cup of coffee...
     
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  17. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Larry!
    The slot measures 0.4215" or 10,7mm.
    So you would NOT install a bushing?

    Any recommendations on the grease to use?
     
  18. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    No, why would you install a bushing? The 71 and 72 distributors typically had small amounts of mechanical advance. The more mechanical advance you have, the less initial advance you can run. I would not modify that distributor at all. You are trying to fix something that is NOT broken. Like I said, just play with springs. Use the lightest one to set your total advance (without vacuum advance) to 30-34*. The initial advance will probably end up around 14*.

    Grease was used in a points distributor to lubricate the points cam and rubbing block. There was a specific type for that purpose,

    https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_...VxZ6zCh3CiAyrEAQYASABEgLYDfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

    For the shaft, I have no idea. Maybe some light wheel bearing grease or moly lube.
     
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  19. Houmark

    Houmark Well-Known Member

    I have the Pertronix 2? Flame thrower coil and 8mm wires.. I have the stock weights, but the lightest spring from Mr. Gasket.. Still running great after 5 years..
     
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  20. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Brett, but it is too late now, I already got the Pertronix and hope, that your unit was not the rule, but the exception :)

    Thanks Larry, I will follow your recommendation. My only concern was, that I do not know if this distributor was modified in the past 49 years, that's why I measured the width of the slot. As I said, I will give it a shot and if push comes to shove I will pull the distributor and install the bushing, then.
     

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