[Healeys] Pertronix ignition, wires and coil choice?

[Alan Seigrist]

Randy -

Using the Pertronix increases the dwell, this means that you don't need some
uber-duper sparking coil to get a good spark with the set up - also as you
surmise, it may cause arching problems in the old Lucas dizzy set up.  A
standard off the shelf "universal" coil from Pep Boys or NAPA should be
sufficient, get a chrome one if you really want.

On the wires, you don't want to use modern suppression wires as the
carbon-filaments they use will break down in the Lucas screw cap - you must
use metal wires.    Lucas bumblebee wire is a good choice, with the Lucas
suppression ends on them works well (and there's no crackling on the
radio).  You can see what the Lucas suppresion end looks like here (#194):

http://www.vintagemotorspares.com/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/hodge?opendocument&part=2

Best,

Alan

'52 A90
'53 BN1
'64 BJ8


On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 6:42 AM, Randy Dickson <
rdickson at midwestarchaeology.com> wrote:

> Fellow Healeyoids,
>
> Having successfully completed the alternator  and negative ground
> conversion, I'm now in search of a more reliable ignition system.  I want
> to
> get a Pertronix system but what coil choice should I choose.  I no longer
> have a stock coil, it has long since died.  Should I get a Pertronix coil
> or
> a fancier looking Lucas Sport coil?  The Lucas Sport coil puts out 40,000
> volts and from reading old posts it seems that such a large voltage might
> be
> a detriment as arcing can occur.  I'm guessing that the Pertronix coil
> produces the same intensity of voltage.
>
>
>
> Also, what about ignition wires?  Should I go with copper wires or the
> filament type.  I do plan on putting a radio in but will most likely just
> use the amp of the radio for my I-Pod.  Will static from copper wires be an
> issue with the radio?  Could I just put resistor caps on the wires?
>  Thanks!