Pertronix out...points in...bummer

Pertronix systems are sensitive. They rely on a very good distributor with no radial play and very minimal thrust play. If the distributor is old and worn, a Pertronix is often used as a band-aid to fix a points system that has more than just a breaker failure that goes ignored.

I just replaced the Pertronix in a '69 Charger SE 383 car that the owner didn't want to have a very visible modification performed. His car came in with a misfire, wiped the sensitive reluctor/ igniter on shaft play on the Pertronix that ate itself in a year. We rebuilt the entire distributor and installed a new igniter, no more end play and it works perfectly. Breaker points systems are harder on shafts than inductive ignition, because of the eccentric running on the shaft. It creates vibration, which has more radial wear on the dist.