Pertronix - 1541 or 2541?

My M38 has many CJ parts, including the Auto-Lite IAD-4008 distributor.

I ordered a Pertronix 2541 based on the info in their catalog.

The 2541 looks like it will work except for the grommet for the wires, the grommet looks to me to be the type that would slide into a slot with a rounded bottom and held in place by the distributor cap.

My IAD-4008 has a round hole for the point connection.


Is it possible I have an IAD-4008A? Can anyone confirm the 1541 has a round grommet?

As a testament to the reliability of these things, I took all of the parts off of the points plate before realizing I needed to remove the whole thing. I put it back together and the L134 cranked right up!

Thanks,
David

 

I had a nice chat with Paul in tech support at Pertronix, he is convinced I have the right kit and he is going to send out a new grommet. When I pointed out the multiple listings in their catalog for an IAD-4008 distributor using a 1541 kit, he said that was the Prestolite version of the distributor. He also checked with another tech who said the parts were interchangeable between the two and that I might have some Frankenstein version. Can anyone tell from my photos if I have a standard Auto-Lite IAD-4008? Perhaps I need to try to get the paint off under the "O" on the plate and see if I have an IAD-4008A?

Thanks,
David

 

I can't help w/ your specifics but, my AutoLite dist has a tag on the side IAY-4401 but, upon removal, there is a number cast into the bottom of the dist which is IAT-?001. Maybe yours has a number cast into the bottom too ...
Good luck with it.

 

Well, further mulling over the 2541 kit had me deciding there was nothing to hold the magnetic ring down. Also, searching the Pertronix .pdf catalog showed all of the listings for an IAD-4008 distributor, except for the one under "Jeep", listed the 1541. So, I went ahead and ordered the 1541 kit, Summit didn't stock it but had it drop shipped directly from Pertronix. This one is much better, obviously the correct kit:


David

 

How many different distributors do these things have? I have a '64 3B and just couldn't find a cap and rotor for it. All of the parts stores came up with the same cap and rotor that wouldn't fit. Of course the Manufactures plate was on the back side so I had to pull the distributor to read it. It was a IAD 4041. Cap and rotor was on the shelf the whole time The parts guy had that in his computer for a '53-59 CJ3B. I think that distributor came stock on my '64, the motor has 54K miles and I had to pry the distributor out of the hole to get it off. The caps that the Parts places was trying to give me were smaller around and the rotor was completely different.

 

at least 5-6 different distributors with different caps and rotors that I can recall (maybe more)
as time marches on, components get switched around in different vehicles.
It was challenging 30 years ago, so it's only gonna get harder and harder as components are discontinued.

 

Back to the Pertronix I suppose then it would go with a EMP, the old points system would survive to still drive you around