I bought an Ignitor II a couple of years ago to update the factory distributor in my Grabber. It ran like crap and I could never get it to run as good as points so I took it out. I now have a Pertronix Billet distributor that has the Ignitor II built in ... and it runs great. I am using Accell 8.8 wires and a FlameThrower II which Pertronix says is required for the Ignitor II ...
A lot of people are concerned that these will fail and leave them stranded, but the reality is that the coil will fail 100 times to one time for the Pertronix. I have seen Duraspark boxes fail repeatedly, but never a Pertronix. If it a huge issue, you could always carry a spare.
I have been using the Pertronix for many years in everything from my boat to my road grader. I swear by them not at them that is for sure. The secret to making them work flawless, is to make sure you have the correct voltage running to them. Most engines have a resistor wire that leads to the points to drop the voltage down to prevent the points from burning. The Pertronix loves higher voltages since there are no points to burn.
I see a lot of places selling the original Pertronix for around $65. I've had one for about 4 or 5 years now. And I do like Frank says, carry the breaker plate and points in my tool box just in case.
I carry a spare Duraspark II box. (and a spare alternator, carburetor, fan belt, tools, a roll of wire and tape, and a spare tire)
actually dave has a valid point. especially with a 6. if something bounces off the road or something comes under the hood it could easily snap a plug in half. maybe ill start carrying spares again for the long trips.....
I can't see how something would bounce that far up into the engine compartment without hitting the suspension or something else first. Seems like the rubber boots over the plugs would somewhat protect the plug also.
That's about 100#s easy... Remember 100#s = 10 rwhp = .10 in the qtr So you are toting around 10 spare hp! I am foolish, I don't even allow a spare tire in my cars. This has given me a couple of scares, but hasn't bit me yet. Dave
In one day, I have been known to venture as far as Florida looking through junkyards. I've had some scares on long trips, and I've also been left walking down the side of the interstate a couple of times. Thankfully, I've never been more then a few miles from home when it's left me walking. But I said never again. My 6 cylinder ain't exactly a speed demon anyways. Best thing I have done, is start carrying a Cell Phone with me. Although it's for emergency use only. I despise people who drive around talking on them.
Back before cell phones, when I was 18, I blew a driver's side head gasket on my 302 while driving on I-10 near Slidell, LA. I was traveling from Lake Charles to Pensacola. I hitched into Slidell and got a head gasket and changed it on the interstate ramp. I got a little way down the road, to the middle of nowhere around Diamond Head, MS... The exits are very far apart there. I blew both head gaskets! Changed them on the shoulder of the interstate after hitching to a parts house then back to the car. Every time someone would go by, the whole car shook. I finished the job just as the sun was going down... We were so desparate for water to fill the radiator that we poured in all our drinks and then pee'd in it to fill it up! Oh, and I replaced the lower rad hose that time as I figured out it was sucking shut and causing the overheating.
