electronic ignition conversion kit

[Ken 6645]

I'm getting ready to do away with points & condenser and would like to know what electronic ignition conversion kit for a 1964 ford thunderbird do you guys suggest???I've about got this old car to the point that it runs good , stop when it suppose to,steers and corners much better than it did...I still have a exhaust leak that i can't get quite ,as of yet....Also I've still have a bad transmission leak but I'm about $1000.00 short ...I'll just have to wait
thanks to everyone who has chimed in to help me
Ken 6645

 

[rzcrisis]

Hi Ken

I installed a Pertronix electronic ignition last year in my 64 ht and have had success with it. Bought the coil to go (Flamethrower II) with it so everything matched up. Get the one that allows you to use the ACC ignition position (like when if you have it on for radio only...not engine running) so that it will not burn it out. I think the one I have is the Pertronix II ...but check with your supplier.

So far no problems! I too have little things that come up but the budget needs to be there to get everything done.

Good luck
Randy

 

[Terry64HT]

Ken, these clunky old big blocks don't rev high enough to need a high voltage coil, so unless you need a new one, you can try with the existing. It's always easy to replace.
The most common problem with a Pertronix installation is the source of power. The existing wiring has a resistor built in, so you need a new source. It needs to be constant and unswitched. Easiest is to tap into the green/red stripe at the voltage regulator.
Hope this helps
Terry
64HT

 

[rzcrisis]

I did not have the resistor issue. I used the existing wiring with no modifications. Where is the resistor located if one has one Terry?

Randy

 

[Terry64HT]

There is either a ballast resistor or resistor wire between the ignition switch and the coil. The resistor wire is pink, and 1.2/1.3ohm according to the wiring diagram. In the Wiring section of the instructions, Pertronix recommends that the resistor be bypassed.
Your car might work ok with the resistor in place, but will certainly be better without it. The resistor heats up and drops the voltage after starting, so installing coils and boxes to boost it seems counterproductive.
Almost all failed or poor Pertronix installations that I have heard about are related to the resistor.
Hope this is helpful
Terry
64HT