So, my car ran perfectly before I put in a new Pertronix II. After installing the pertronix, my car died if my foot wasn't on the gas when starting. So, I adjusted the idle and it ran beautifully. Now, the car takes several cranks to start. It seems like it wants to catch, but just doesn't-- and finally does after several cranks. Also, when I put it into 1st gear, it seems like there isn't a lot of power when I let off the clutch and it almost wants to die. Any thoughts? I am thinking that I need to adjust the carb, but not sure. BTW, i think i have an autolite 2100

 

OK, let's get this straight. The car was running just fine when you had points in it, and as soon as you put the pertronix module in it, you started having these symtoms. If this right? If so, I want you to put your points back in to make sure it is not something else. If it is not something else, you need to wire the pertronix to a switchable 12Volt source like at the ignition switch. So, put the points back in, gap them to 0.017 and let us know the result.

 

Yes, thats partially right, but it also ran fine after I had the Pertronix in as well. I had it in for 2-3 days and it was fine... now its acting up. Thats why I'm thinking it has something to do with the carb and not ignition.

 

OK, do you have a blue flame spark at your plugs? If you don't know, take a plug out and hook the plug wire back up to it and lay it on the manifold. Either have someone try to start the car, or short across the solenoid so you can see if a blue arc is present at the plug. If it is, then move on to the fuel issue. We will be assuming here that you did not turn the distributor or change the timing in any way.

 

ok, I will try that. BTW, is just one spark plug sufficient or do I need to do that with each one? I didnt mess with the timing... I took off the rotor and popped it back on...

 

Just one. If one is getting a blue spark, then they all are. What we are doing is checking the efficiency of your new pertronix. We are trying to determine if the new pertronix is faulty. It won't be the first time that a unit went bad after a few days.

 

OK, so here's where I'm at.... I'm thinking its not a timing issue since the car was timed before I got it and I didn't twist the dist at all. Anyways, I pulled out a plug and got a spark when I tried starting it. Tomorrow, I will try putting the points back in if thats what you guys think I should be doing. Couple thoughts/questions:

1. I re-read some posts and the Pertronix instructions and thought that maybe I'm not getting enough spark because of a ballast resistor. I would have bypassed it, but I'm not sure if I have one, what it looks like or where it might be located.

2. I started the car tonight, and instead of holding the throttle fully open like I used to with points, I just pushed the accelerator fullly down once and let up. It started immediately. Do I need to leave the throttle fully open or just push down once with an electronic igniotion? Is it possible that I flooded the carb when I started the car prior?

3. Even though I got a spark at the plug, how do I tell if it is enough or a strong spark? Also, how do i tell if a cylinder isn't firing?

Sorry for the newbie questions.... I'm trying to read as much as possible and appreciate your input.

 

OK, so here's where I'm at.... I'm thinking its not a timing issue since the car was timed before I got it and I didn't twist the dist at all. Anyways, I pulled out a plug and got a spark when I tried starting it. Tomorrow, I will try putting the points back in if thats what you guys think I should be doing. Couple thoughts/questions:

1. I re-read some posts and the Pertronix instructions and thought that maybe I'm not getting enough spark because of a ballast resistor. I would have bypassed it, but I'm not sure if I have one, what it looks like or where it might be located.

2. I started the car tonight, and instead of holding the throttle fully open like I used to with points, I just pushed the accelerator fullly down once and let up. It started immediately. Do I need to leave the throttle fully open or just push down once with an electronic igniotion? Is it possible that I flooded the carb when I started the car prior?

3. Even though I got a spark at the plug, how do I tell if it is enough or a strong spark? Also, how do i tell if a cylinder isn't firing?

Sorry for the newbie questions.... I'm trying to read as much as possible and appreciate your input.

 

It's the color of the spark that counts. A blue spark is a hot spark.

 

OK, so i've established it's a hot spark... whats next?