[Tigers] Pertronix Ignition

[Jim & Carolyn Burruss]

Interesting comments.  I have just reinstalled my dash after reveneering it, 
and in the process installed a different tach, a converted 4-cylinder unit. 
I don't need the higher RPM reading, but my original tach had become heat 
sensitive, reading much too high when it gets warm, even from the light 
bulb, so that it was essentially useless.  The "new" tach, on a test start 
up, has a wavering needle, while the original tach is rock steady.  This is 
all with a Mallory dual point distributor.  The car is not yet ready to be 
driven, so I'll know more in time.

To all who responded to my question so quickly with very valuable 
information, thanks very much.  I'm always lurking in the background and 
appreicate all the expertise.

    Jim Burruss

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Smit, Theo" <Theo.Smit at dynastream.com>
To: "Tiger Man" <Tigerman67 at hotmail.com>; "Jim & Carolyn Burruss" 
<cburruss at hiwaay.net>; <tigers at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:07 PM
Subject: RE: [Tigers] Pertronix Ignition


> This is because the Pertronix, like most other points-replacement units,
> has a very long dwell time (the time the coil is being charged) compared
> to the points, and that messes up the operation of the pulse amplifier
> in the OEM tach circuit.
>
> Tom Hall and I sell and install a replacement electronics module. It
> installs inside your OEM tach and completely bypasses the original
> circuitry. It can be driven using the original current-sensing loop (the
> white wire that powers your Pertronix and coil) for a completely OEM
> appearance, or you can directly connect MSD, Jacobs, or other
> aftermarket ignition controllers.
>
> Contact me or Tom (modtiger at comcast.net) for more information.
>
> Theo
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tigers-bounces+theo.smit=dynastream.com at autox.team.net
> [mailto:tigers-bounces+theo.smit=dynastream.com at autox.team.net] On
> Behalf Of Tiger Man
> Sent: August 20, 2008 12:58 PM
> To: Jim & Carolyn Burruss; tigers at autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: [Tigers] Pertronix Ignition
>
> On my car, when the stock ignition was in place, the tach needle would
> swing upward with higher engine RPM, but it wasn't particularly accurate
> or probably even very proportional to actual engine RPM.
>
> With the Pertronix II, the tach still moves around, but doesn't really
> correlate at all to actual engine RPM anymore.  If I remember right it
> hangs around 1500-2500 rpm regardless of engine rpm, in fact I think
> sometimes it actually moves opposite of engine RPM.
>
> Hope that helps,
> Steve