Thread: Electronic ignition conversion??????

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I am planning on converting my points ignition to electronic. (440 ci mopar) I want to replace my distributor anyway, so I figure what the he!!, might as well upgrade. I have a couple of options, 1. Get a new distributor and use a pertronix kit. or, 2. Since I am replacing the dist. anyway, just get an one set up for factory type elec. ignition and all the associated parts. The obvious advantage of the pertronix is it's simplicity, and a nominal price difference. Are these units reliable? Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by 65ny

I am planning on converting my points ignition to electronic. (440 ci mopar) I want to replace my distributor anyway, so I figure what the he!!, might as well upgrade. I have a couple of options, 1. Get a new distributor and use a pertronix kit. or, 2. Since I am replacing the dist. anyway, just get an one set up for factory type elec. ignition and all the associated parts. The obvious advantage of the pertronix is it's simplicity, and a nominal price difference. Are these units reliable? Any thoughts?

i've used the factory dist. with a EI kit. worked ok for me.

Personally I tend to go with factory electronic iginition sysstems whenever possible. There a couple of reasons.

They have proven reliable over the years and in the case of Chryslers units you do have a choice of different levels of control boxes.

Parts should be available at any parts store should you have a failure say on a Sunday or your taking a long road trip. Many of the aftermarket systems would end up being mail ordered and you might be down for a day to 2 plus the additional cost of "next day air" if your in a hurry.

Don't get me wrong I have heard some good things about the Pertronix system, I just personally would go with a factory setup.

I have wired several Chrysler electronic systems from scratch over the years, and it's not that complicated (4 wires, and 2 of them are on the plug that goes to the distributor).

Mike, Excellent point about parts availability. Thanks.

About 10 years ago I installed the mopar factory electronic ignition on a 68 newport I had with a 383,I found a 75ish dodge with a 400 in a junkyard and took everything off of it,I had a chiltons manual from 74 and it had the wiring diagram so I put it on the 68 and it was easy. While I was at it I changed the alternator and regulator to the newer version too and that chiltons had the wiring diagram for it too,the electronic ignition got me better gas mileage and it started easer too. Jeff

i've used the pertronix units on a few of my cars and a lot of customers cars and they work excellently and dont cost a lot.... but i've also used factory mopar electronic ignitions and they've worked excellently too... parts availability is a big plus on those... i ran one in my 66 satelite

Originally Posted by 65ny

I am planning on converting my points ignition to electronic. (440 ci mopar) I want to replace my distributor anyway, so I figure what the he!!, might as well upgrade. I have a couple of options, 1. Get a new distributor and use a pertronix kit. or, 2. Since I am replacing the dist. anyway, just get an one set up for factory type elec. ignition and all the associated parts. The obvious advantage of the pertronix is it's simplicity, and a nominal price difference. Are these units reliable? Any thoughts?

You do know you can buy ready to run new electronic distributors for around $125.

I found a new Mopar conversion kit (dist., ballast resistor, control box, harness) for around $130.00. Ebay is great............sometimes.