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First tune up on Dauntless 225, what to do with distributor

Fresbone

Fresbone

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Well, it’s the first complete tune up for me on the Dauntless 225 in my JC - actually the first real tune up for me on anything. I replaced sparks, did a Pertronix conversion, and adjusted the timing on my CJ5 after it was rebuilt, but this was going to be the whole shebang! As I read through the manual and started inspecting the engine, I realized I have a Prestolite distributor - not a Delco like my CJ5 - and then found that there is no Pertronix conversion for a Prestolite distributor. I would like to keep the JC as stock as possible.

My thought is swap the Delco/Pertronix from my CJ (also a Dauntless) over to the JC and drop an extended shaft HEI distributor into my CJ. I know this is a matter of opinion, but does this sound like a sensible approach?
 
Back in the day swapping in a Delco-Remy distributor in place of the Prestolite was commonly done because the Delco was a much better product. From what I remember even the Jeep dealers swapped them.
 
You could keep it simple and just do a "tune up" instead of a conversion. setting points is not hard to do, and converting to electronic is not really an "upgrade".

The breaker point ignition works just as well as a Pertronix, as long as you buy quality parts. NAPA carries Echlin, and several suppliers carry Blue Streak which is what I use.

I have never seen a failure with a breaker point ignition I couldn't fix in ten minutes with a screwdriver. After a tune up, if the old parts are still serviceable they go into my trail bag as spares.

I wouldn't know how to fix a Pertronix ignition other than replace the module.
 
You don't have to dwell on electronic ignition. You set timing and forget about it. It works till it don't. There might not be an improvement between good condition well adjusted units but the points do need upkeep to stay on par.
 
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"It works till it don't."

Exactly, and you can't fix it with a screwdriver and credit card to set gap. Well, I guess you can fix it with a credit card but just not on trail.

Breaker point ignitions do require maintenance, but I enjoy that part of it. A simple tune up every 3,500 miles or so is usually all it takes to keeps one running fine.
 
I have driven HEI distributors for almost 40 years now. One failure of a module that was replaced with one screwdriver in 10 minutes in all that time. Yet it is rare these days to find a set of points that can sit for a month and still work. First thing I do to any Buick v6 is to install an HEI distributor.
 
The previous owner of my 48 tried to have it converted to HEI but the shop he took it to couldn't fit it with the Offenhauser intake. I know that can be done with some grinding, but it runs great with the breaker point ignition and I am fine leaving it alone unless it gets to the point where I can't get quality parts. I have used Blue Streak in all of my Jeeps for years, both years ago, and current and have never had a failure.
 
When my Dauntless was rebuilt, I had its original Delco distributor - which at 80k miles had developed quite a bit of play in the bushings - rebuilt by Advanced Distributors (https://www.advanceddistributors.com/). I believe they can rebuild Prestolite distributors as well.

During their rebuild, in addition to installing all new bushings, they also rebuilt the vacuum advance and installed new springs to adjust the advance curve. The Delco looked like new when it came back. I installed it with a Pertronix module and plug wires, a 12v 3-ohm Brillman SuperStinger coil, and NGK spark plugs. The updated ignition system performs very well.
 
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Oldpappy said:
The previous owner of my 48 tried to have it converted to HEI but the shop he took it to couldn't fit it with the Offenhauser intake. I know that can be done with some grinding, but it runs great with the breaker point ignition and I am fine leaving it alone unless it gets to the point where I can't get quality parts. I have used Blue Streak in all of my Jeeps for years, both years ago, and current and have never had a failure.
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You've been lucky. My son spent $100s of dollars trying to chase down problems caused by failed new parts. I have been reading about other people having issues too (not just Standard Blue Streak, many other well known brands too). I've had some problems like this at work too (car dealership) .
It seems like manufacturers are cheaping out all across the board, it's a real problem.
 
Probably have been lucky then, but so far no issues with what I am using.
 
Daryl said:
I have driven HEI distributors for almost 40 years now. One failure of a module that was replaced with one screwdriver in 10 minutes in all that time. Yet it is rare these days to find a set of points that can sit for a month and still work. First thing I do to any Buick v6 is to install an HEI distributor.
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This.
I've run a junkyard HEI since the late 80's with no issues. Installing it around my Offy 360 took some grinding but I got it in.
The ability to do a tune up without having to adjust the points and timing has make it worth the effort.
Now, given everything is junk today, upgrading is still a crap shoot, however, it's still worth the effort.
 
Not many Odd-Fire engines in the Junkyards today, but Sal at VintageJeeper lists a HEI distributor for the Dauntless that has a longer shaft and is supposed to not require any grinding, not sure if that includes the Offy manifold which is on my engine.

I may end up going that route someday but only if I start running into the parts quality issues mentioned.
 
I would comment - there's nothing magic in the HEI distributor. It's only "high energy" because of the coil design. The module is just a dumb transistor switch, like the Motorcraft or Bosch or Mopar or Pertronix electronic ignition, and likely many others. You can buy the TFI coil for a Ford and get the same "high energy" design as the HEI coil, except in a stand-alone package. TFI and HEI are the same wine in different bottles.
 
Agree, any type of distributor does the same job, and when in good order, one type isn't "better" at that job than another. All types are simply a triggering device.

I think the main reason Electronic distributors are popular is they remove the need of maintenance, or "tune up". Nothing wrong with that.

Maintaining a breaker point ignition is something I actually enjoy, something I have done since I first started working on cars. I understand why some simply don't want to bother with it, and others may not feel comfortable with doing it.

I agree it is an obsolete system, which is why it long ago disappeared in automotive manufacturing, but it is period correct for these antique, obsolete vehicles, and as long as I can get good parts for it that is what I will continue to use, not because it is better, but because it is part of the hobby from my perspective to keep as much of the old technology in place and working as possible. I don't mind being one of the dwindling number of old timers who still know how to make the old stuff work.
 
colojeepguy said:
It seems like manufacturers are cheaping out all across the board, it's a real problem.
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AGREE
I used point type distributors for a long time, and had no problems except poor quality parts. Points type work fine, when they work. My biggest problem was the condensor. I tried different brands, Standard motor products, NAPA/ Echlin, some others and basically had the same results. Extremely short life. I changed 3 or 4 setting beside the road. 1 of them didn't make 1 mile. Just junk.
 
My 47 has a set of "Bluestreak" (SMP Brand) points and condenser that has worked flawlessly for 7 years. When I bought those I bought a half dozen sets of which I have since installed sets in my 67 (4 years ago), and a 46 the kid on a neighboring farm is bartering his labor for. The set in the 46 was installed just 3 months ago. All three of these Jeeps are stock with the 4cyl engines.

Maybe I have been lucky because I bought these kits 7 years ago, no telling how long they were on the shelf of the supplier, so possibly before quality went down. It is also possible the components for the 4cyl Jeeps are not sourced from the same facility as those for other engines, but that is just a thought. I don't know whether quality is same with what is out there now.

The Jeep I am working on now has the Dauntless V6. I have owned the Jeep for two years and have only cleaned and gapped the points that came in it during that time. The points and condenser set the previous owner installed is Blue streak.

I am tuning it up for a Colorado trip, with new SMP parts I recently ordered, so this tune up will be the first new set I have installed in that Jeep. I don't know yet how long it will last, and will certainly carry extras. I have put the working set I just removed, and also a new set in my trail bag in case of failure.

If I encounter the failures you guys have related, I will probably go to an HEI distributor on this Jeep over the winter. The unit VintageJeeper sells has good reviews, I know a few guys who have used these and they are high quality units.
 
Amazon can deliver a new or rebuilt original HEI tomorrow or Rockauto in a week for most people. The parts have never been easier to source then they are today. I do try to always swap the drive gear when I can. On an AMC v8 it is very hard to find any set of cam gear/distributor gear that hold up over time now. It is critical to swap the original gear on an AMC in my experiences.
 
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