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Installing Delco Petronix

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Randy Benedict, Jan 10, 2021.

  1. Jan 10, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    I currently run my dauntless with its stock dizzy and points. I've decided to change to a Delco with Petronix. Do I install it just as I would with a stock dizzy? Set to zero, install it with rotor pointing to #1 cylinder, then time from there, correct?
     
  2. Jan 10, 2021
    hooliganrick

    hooliganrick Sponsor

    San Diego, CA
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    Apr 14, 2012
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    Pretty much so.....the petronix is of course the points. Everything is is covered under the FSM. Fairly easy and straight forward. All tuning checks are the same. I surely do not miss having to deal with points anymore. Installed mine 6 years ago (V6), with no issues what so ever. You will feel the difference in the way it runs. Good luck...
     
  3. Jan 10, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    just a warning - dont leave the key on. burnt out my unit that way :(
     
  4. Jan 11, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    Are you running a ballast resistor? Thanks
     
  5. Jan 11, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    Thanks for the tip.
     
  6. Jan 11, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    I installed a Pertronix module in the Delco distributor on my Dauntless about 6 months ago. I used a Brillman 60,000 volt, 3.0 ohm coil (12 Volt Super Stinger Internal Resistor Ignition Coil - The Brillman Company ), and bypassed the ballast resistor.

    The entire installation took about 30 minutes, and the engine starts easier and runs more smoothly than it did with points - and I don't have to mess with them any more! I'd highly recommend the Pertronix unit.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2021
    Beach66Bum and Rubicloak like this.
  7. Jan 11, 2021
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    Be sure to get the timing right. one tooth off and although it will run it will skip some cylinders.
     
  8. Jan 12, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    Thanks to all.
     
  9. Jan 12, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    in yet?
     
  10. Jan 12, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    Not yet, too cold here for driveway work. Maybe tomorrow. Looks like a simple job.
     
  11. Jan 12, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    yea, just pull the original setup out and put the new in. timing may be interesting.
     
  12. Jan 12, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    Interesting? How so. Shouldn't it be close to being in time when I properly set the rotor position? Any surprises I should look out for?
     
  13. Jan 12, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    The timing does not need to be adjusted from the timing with the points & condenser after installing the Pertronix - at least mine didn't.
     
  14. Jan 12, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    nah, just had some nasty surprises
     
  15. Jan 12, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    Thanks Maury
     
  16. Jan 12, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    I've read every page of my FSM and have never seen anything about Petronix in it. What page can I find that on?
     
  17. Jan 12, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
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    Setting the timing with a pertronix is the exact same procedure as setting it with points. The only thing you don't have to worry about is setting the point gap, I worried about the airgap between the reluctor wheel and pertronix module for a while, the first time I had one, and would check it once in a while, but I've never had to adjust it on any vehicle I've used it on, once I'd set it up.
     
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  18. Jan 12, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    You won't find anything about Pertronix in the FSM because it's an aftermarket, rather than a factory item. For that matter, the Pertronix units didn't even exist at the time your Jeep was built and the FSM was written.

    As noted above, the procedure to set the timing is the same whether you have a Pertronix or a points set in the distributor. If you have the timing set properly with the points installed, you probably won't need to adjust it once the points & condenser are removed and the Pertronix unit is put in place. There's no need to remove the distributor unless you just want to switch to a different one.

    If you just follow the instructions that come with the Pertronix module carefully, you shouldn't have any trouble installing it in your Delco distributor.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2021
  19. Jan 12, 2021
    Randy Benedict

    Randy Benedict Member

    Center, MO
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    Thanks Maury. The dizzy I have is already set up. It came from a running dauntless. So it should be plug and play, unless I'm missing something. Bought a new flamethrower 40,000 to fire it. Plan on leaving the ballast resistor in. Thanks
     
  20. Jan 12, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    If you're leaving the ballast resistor connected, just make sure your new Flamethrower is a 1.5 ohm, rather than a 3.0 ohm coil.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2021
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