Yes, the Ignitor wire length may be tailored to your specific needs. Occasionally the wires may need to be extended. It is recommend that a 20-gauge copper strand wire be used. Make sure that all splices are cleaned, secure and insulated. PerTronix offers a simple wire extension kit (part number 2005) which includes all the necessary connections.
CAN I MOUNT THE FLAME-THROWER COIL SIDEWAYS OR UPSIDE DOWN?
Flame-Thrower coils are made with two different internal materials, oil and epoxy. Epoxy filled coils have a cured resin which supports the coil internal windings and they can be mounted in any direction. Oil filled coils should always be mounted upright to prevent a potential leak of critical fluid as the coil heats up and cools down.
CAN I RUN A MSD BOX OR OTHER CD UNIT WITH THE IGNITOR™ OR FLAME-THROWER BILLET DISTRIBUTOR ? HOW DO I HOOK IT UP?
Ignitor and Ignitor II electronic ignition systems and Flame-Thrower distributors are compatible with most capacitive discharge boxes. Only Ignitor III electronic conversions and Ignitor III equipped Flame-Thrower distributors cannot be used with other companys CD systems. The Ignitor III can be used with our Digital HP CD box. Wiring for these Ignition boxes typically follows the instructions for point type ignitions. The red Ignitor module wire should be connected to a 12V ignition power source. The attached diagram applies to MSD 6 series ignitions.
CAN I STATIC TIME THE IGNITOR IGNITION?
Only Ignitor systems and not the Ignitor II or III can be static timed. On negative ground applications, the easiest way to static time the distributor is to attach the clip lead of a 12 volt test light to the engine ground. Probe the coil negative terminal with the test light. The intensity of the light will be dim when the module is in a dwell state. The moment the light goes bright is the point wire the module triggers.
DOES PERTRONIX WORK WITH AFTERMARKET EFI SYSTEMS?
PerTronix Ignitor and Ignitor II will work with many aftermarket Electronic Fuel Injected (EFI) systems. As long as the EFI system can be triggered with a square wave signal from coil negative it will work with the Ignitor or Ignitor II. Some EFI systems just call this a points signal. Some EFI systems needs a sine wave signal from something like a magnetic pick up distributor to be triggered. Most all EFI system will work our Digital HP box for maximum performance. From the Digital HP box we offer a 5-volt square signal, which will trigger most EFI systems. The Ignitor III will not work with a EFI system because of the multiple strikes that happen on coil negative. You could add PerTronix digital HP box to allow the Ignitor III to work your EFI system. Or switch the Ignitor III to PerTronix Ignitor or Ignitor II systems.
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO INSTALL AN IGNITOR™ CONVERSION KIT?
The Ignitor fits entirely inside the distributor, and in most cases installs quicker than points. There are no “black boxes” or complicated wiring. Simply install the kit into the distributor attach the two wires to the appropriate location, and you’re done. Some applications may require a little more work, which may add to the level of difficulty.
HOW DO I BYPASS MY RESISTOR WIRE?
Bypassing a resistor wire isnt always the easiest job. You have to find the start point of the resistor wire and run a new 12-14 gauge wire down to coil positive. You will not need to install any fuses in this line. Depending on the application digging through the wiring harness is a pain. PerTronix have made that job easier with PerTronix Power relay. This will make bypassing the resistor wire a 10 min job.
HOW DO I CHECK MY COILS RESISTANCE?
Label the wires attached to the coil terminals and note their appropriate location. Make sure that the ignition switch is off and disconnect all wires from the coil. Adjust your meter to the lowest ohm scale. If you are using an analog style meter make sure to zero the needle. Measure from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. Make sure that the terminals are clean.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A POSITIVE GROUND OR NEGATIVE GROUND IGNITOR?
To figure this out, a quick look at the two wires on the Ignitors is all that is needed. If you have a Red wire and Black wire, you have a negative ground Ignitor. If you have a Black wire and Black W/white tracer wire, you have a positive ground Ignitor.
HOW DO I.D. MY OLD IGNITOR SYSTEM IN MY DISTRIBUTOR?
First you want to figure out if you have a Ignitor, Ignitor II, or Ignitor III. This can be done by the label on the part.
Ignitor label will say Ignitor;Also the Ignitor is made of black epoxy
Ignitor II label will say Ignitor II; Also the Ignitor II is made of red epoxy.
Ignitor III label will say Ignitor III; Also the Ignitor III will have a small dial on top.
Part numbers for the Ignitor kits ARE NOT found on any the labels on the Ignitors. You should find a part number stamped on the mounting plate the ignitor is attached. If the Ignitor has more then one mounting plate check both plates for a part number. If the plate is not stamped you should find a part number on the magnet ring that is under the rotor. If the ring doesnt have a part number then normally that means you only have one option for the application. So, you just need to know the application to figure out the part number.
Some Ignitor plates are stamped with a combination of numbers with examples below:
Plate is stamped 1541-61. For a 4 cylinder engine will take Ignitor part number: 1541 and 6 cylinder engine will take Ignitor part number: 1561.
Plate is stamped 1542-62. For a 4 cylinder engine will take Ignitor part number: 1542 and 6 cylinder engine will take Ignitor part number: 1562.
Plate is stamped 1581-82. If you have a clip down distributor cap it will take part number: 1581. If you have a screw down distributor cap you will need part number: 1582
IS THE IGNITOR™ A "UNIVERSAL" ELECTRONIC IGNITION CONVERSION?
The Ignitor electronic ignition is far from being universal. Each kit is designed specifically for the distributor type. However, PerTronix kits will often fit many distributors from the same manufacturer. A kit that has been designed for a particular distributor type may also fit other distributors that use the same point set, cap and rotor.
SINCE I HAVE INSTALLED THE IGNITOR™ THE ENGINE WON’T START. WHAT CAN I CHECK?
The first step in troubleshooting involves answering a few questions:
Do you have the correct kit for your application?
Did the Ignitor install without any modification?
Was the Ignitor installed according to the instructions?
Did the engine run prior to the installation of the Ignitor?
If you answered "NO" to any of the previous questions, go back and correct the condition before proceeding. If the answer to these questions is “YES”, then review some additional common solutions to a no start condition.
The position in which the Ignitor red wire is attached to is not supplying sufficient voltage.
The air gap between the module and magnet sleeve is too great.
The ground wire inside the distributor is not connected.