Tune up question. Eliminate points system?

[714Speed]

I'm in need of a tune up on a 71 350\270 and wondering if I should go back stock with the points system or switch to the point-less set up. I do not know, personally, how to set the dwell and timing on a points ignition, I've always had HEI's. If I go with a point-less set up, is it simply a bolt in and go scenario or is there any fine tuning as with the points set up? Any experienced opinions would greatly help. Ecklers has a total tune up deal with wires, performance plugs, cap, rotor and points for $88.00. Neil

 

[clar2001]

Lose the points ! HEI

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

I'm in need of a tune up on a 71 350\270 and wondering if I should go back stock with the points system or switch to the point-less set up. I do not know, personally, how to set the dwell and timing on a points ignition, I've always had HEI's. If I go with a point-less set up, is it simply a bolt in and go scenario or is there any fine tuning as with the points set up? Any experienced opinions would greatly help. Ecklers has a total tune up deal with wires, performance plugs, cap, rotor and points for $88.00. Neil

Hi: One question you'll have to ask yourself if you go to an GM HEI set-up. Do you want to lose your tach drive & mechanical tach? On the other hand, you could go to an aftermarket Distributor; such as a MSD unit that has the tach drive; but it's rather pricey & you'll also be deveating from stock; if that's your choice. What I did was go to an aftermarket piont-less set-up. I used the "Pentronix" piont-less unit. It's easy to install & pretty strait forward. You'll retain your factory stock distributor & the only difference in looks on the outside of the distributor will be a couple of wires coming out of the dwell adjustment window; which will be running to the coil. One problem that I had with the se-up is that it didn't seem to preform as well as the old point & condenser set-up, until I added a MSD box; you can hide that in the inner fenderwell & your engine compartment will still retain the stock look. Many of the major Corvette places sell this unit; but I found that JC Whitney sells it the cheapest. I got my Pentronix unit when it was in it's infantancy & I'm sure the newer ones are much better units than the first ones. I got my unit directly from "Pentronix" in Silicon Valley, Ca. Check it out; I'm sure you'll feel it's worth it. Good luck.

Dave

 

[atmmac]

The pertronix system is cheap and a pain in a** i returned mine when i realized it was defective after losing the magnets. Get the accel hei its awesome i love it on my impala.

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

The pertronix system is cheap and a pain in a** i returned mine when i realized it was defective after losing the magnets. Get the accel hei its awesome i love it on my impala.

Hi: I've had my Pentronix unit in my 'Vette for over 15 years & it works like a charm. You've got an Impala without a mechanical tach drive. Were talkin early C-3 Corvettes here. Most of us like the stock appearance & parts; but would like to update some of the stuff & retain the stock appearance. Putting a HEI type distributor; although it is better; it's a no-no in an earlier C-3 'vette for "stock" sake. We have to sometimes work with what we have & so it goes.

Dave

 

[714Speed]

I have the Mallory points distributor now. Do you know if GM stock replacement points, caps, etc will work in the Mallory unit or do I have to buy Mallory branded points, caps, etc.? Thanks. Neil

 

[Johan]

Setting the dwell is a simple 2 minute job if you just get a dwell meter (just turn one screw while car is running), but ofcourse you'll have to do it every now and then to keep it set correct.

Setting the timing (also very simple), will be the same regardless of your type of ignition.

I've just ordered a Pertonix kit, mostly because I guess it is a bit more reliable than the points.

 

[Eric]

I installed Pertronix Ignitor in my old 71 and it worked like a charm. Low end response was improved and the car started a lot quicker.

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

I have the Mallory points distributor now. Do you know if GM stock replacement points, caps, etc will work in the Mallory unit or do I have to buy Mallory branded points, caps, etc.? Thanks. Neil

Hi: It would be better all the way around if you stick to the Mallory stuffings for their distributor. BTW: Is your Mallory Tach Driven?

Dave

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

I installed Pertronix Ignitor in my old 71 and it worked like a charm. Low end response was improved and the car started a lot quicker.

I know what you mean about it starting alot quicker, especailly with a MSD unit behind it. When I go to time my motor, I sometimes "bump" the starter & it starts so easily, I have to disconnect the coil. How's that for response?

Dave

 

[Chas]

I switched....

i installed a conversion kit to hei in my original distributor.....so i still have my tach....i also put in a new shaft and drive gear for the tach so im real tight and love the response...it starts instantly.....was less than $100.00 for the kit at car quest plus the cost of the shaft and gear kit from Ecklers......and i also made a nifty tool from the old shaft by cutting off the distributor end and now i can use it to align the bottom of the shaft and the pin.....i hate to throw anything away!
Good luck....Chas

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Re: I switched....

i installed a conversion kit to hei in my original distributor.....so i still have my tach....i also put in a new shaft and drive gear for the tach so im real tight and love the response...it starts instantly.....was less than $100.00 for the kit at car quest plus the cost of the shaft and gear kit from Ecklers......and i also made a nifty tool from the old shaft by cutting off the distributor end and now i can use it to align the bottom of the shaft and the pin.....i hate to throw anything away!
Good luck....Chas

Chas: Yeah. I hate to throw away anything too. My wife calls me a "Pack-Rat". But, you know, just when you throw something away.......you'll need it the next day. Murphy's Law. You can also use that old Distrubitor shaft for priming your motor (or other engines). Just stick it in the hole & hook up a drill to it & pump the oil through the motor without starting it. I do that after I've store my vette for the winter months. Prime the motor before starting it.

Dave

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I've just ordered a Pertonix kit, mostly because I guess it is a bit more reliable than the points. [/B]

Nope, sorry. The opposite is true. The pertronixs (It doesn't deserve a capitalized name) unit is FAMOUS for failing without warning and leaving you stranded. Happened to me once. Never again.

Points will slowly go out of tune but will never leave you stranded.

Do a search over on the CF site, C3 section to read some of the horror stories.

 

[714Speed]

To answer your question about the Mallory distributor, yes, it is the mechanical tach driven unit, much like the original. I would like to buy the $88.00 deal from Ecklers that has the AC wires, plugs, cap, rotor, condensor, and points. I wonder if the cap is useable? Can anyone give me a procedure for setting dwell? Never done this before. Thanks. Neil.

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Nope, sorry. The opposite is true. The pertronixs (It doesn't deserve a capitalized name) unit is FAMOUS for failing without warning and leaving you stranded. Happened to me once. Never again.

Points will slowly go out of tune but will never leave you stranded.

Do a search over on the CF site, C3 section to read some of the horror stories.

The Pentronix unit never failed on me. may though, since I haven't run my motor in a long time, 'cause my 'vette's goin' through another transformation & has been down. But, I won't know until I go to start it back up. May not fail, you never know. One thing that was said when I picked up my unit from Pentronix in Silicon Valley, Ca back in 1983 was that clearences were critical in setting up this unit, especially the clearence between the little box & the ring. I made sure mine was "DEAD-NUTS" on. Just alittle out of specs could cause it not to perform right or make the car run radicial. I'm also using a MSD box along with my distrubitor & it really makes a BIG difference. Ask some of those "horror story" people if they were using MSD along with their units. May be the case if it's not set-up right. Just like a rear-end in the car.

Neil: If you've got a Mallory tach driven distrubitor, keep it & go with a transistor type ignition conversion that mallory makes for their point distrubitors. If you can get rid of the points & condenser, do it. Why do you think GM went to HEI? Boy, wish I could afford one of those mallory units. BTW: Mallory makes a multi-spark unit to go with their distrubitors & it's well worth it. Good luck! & keep the faith.

Dave

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Neil: One thing I forgot to add about your Mallory. Before you go & pay Eckler's price, check out summit racing in Ohio www.summitracing.com & get the right stuff for your Mallory. You'll be glad U did, believe me. That stuff from Eckler's may or may not work in your distributor, but one thing is for sure Mallory makes a good product. Check it out............................

& peace Dave

 

[Johan]

I'm also using a MSD box along with my distrubitor & it really makes a BIG difference. Ask some of those "horror story" people if they were using MSD along with their units.

Can someone explain to me exactly how a MSD box works?
(I must say that I am a bit sceptical to a plug-in electrical device that will "boost power and give you more mpg". A spark is a spark, and either the gas/air mix will explode or not, right?)

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Can someone explain to me exactly how a MSD box works?
(I must say that I am a bit sceptical to a plug-in electrical device that will "boost power and give you more mpg". A spark is a spark, and either the gas/air mix will explode or not, right?)

Hi: "a Spark is a spark" is not always true! Without going into a lenghty explaination & where a common "layman" can understand, MSD is short for Multible Spark Discharge. Throughout the RPM range, in a distributor, spark is always present, but not always accurate as wanted or needed. MSD is just that "Multiable Spark Discharge" & ensures that your engine will get a good spark, no matter what, at any RPM, ensuring good power through the RPM range of the motor & resulting in more power & economy (persuming your motor is in good tune & has no other major problems). One thing is for sure, If U got an MSD box & are using the MSD coil or an equalivent, you sure don't want to get "poked" by that "Bad Boy" it can smart. Anybody that's got a MSD unit or another brand of multi-spark discharge unit, can tell you that when they get a bad Plug wire or leave a plug wire unhooked to the plug, you'll get an instant "light show" better if it's done in the dark! I've had a spark jump many feet through the air. Hope this helps you out. Others may add more, but you should get the picture.


Peace! Dave

 

[Johan]

Can anyone give me a procedure for setting dwell?

Neil,
The dwell angle is the time (degrees of distributor rotation) that the contact points are closed. Dwell is adjusted by setting the distance between the contact points, and you can do this with a hex wrench trough the little "window" or opening in your distributor cap.

Too wide gap=small dwell angle=points are closed too short time=coils has not sufficient time to create a spark.

Too narrow gap=high dwell angle=points are closed too long time=rough idle and maybe hard to start engine (and points wear faster).

You can set the dwell in two ways,
If you have no dwell meter: Remove the dist cap, and set the distance between the points with the hex wrench and a feeler blade (should be 0.019 in for new points, or 0.016 in for used points). (This is just a basic setup, and you still want to get a dwell meter to check it correctly)

If you have a dwell meter (better): Hook up one cable to ground, and one to minus on ignition coil. With engine running (at working temperature), read the dwell angle and correct it if necessary using the hex wrench thru the dist cap "window". Correct dwell angle is around 30 degrees. (28-32)

 

[Johan]

Thanks Dave,
Does it work regardless of your type of ignition (points or pertronix or hei)?
Where is it installed? Between the coil and dist?

I'll have to start with the Pertronix kit first (bought an Ignitor + Pertronix coil on Ebay for $40, so if I'm not satisfied It's not that bad loss)

Johan