electronic ignition w/o a module?

[like_A_pike]

I have a 76 360 in a 68 barracuda. It looks like a magnetic pickup in the distributor so I'm assuming it's electronic. It also has a big cam and I've been chasing down its timing. There's a ballast resistor, a voltage regulator (I think?? little silver box) and thats it. the wires in the distributor go to the coil. I ordered the "advanced curve" distr kit with the "orange box" and I'm wondering how I was getting along without a module b4 and do I leave the voltage regulator alone when I instal my kit?

thanks

 

[rumblefish360]

Older cars use points.

????????????????????

 

[bohica2xo]

You said:
"wires in the distributor go to the coil"

Would that be an orange wire & a black wire? If so, you probably have a Pertronix unit. The whole thing is a little black cube in the distributor.

If it is a pertronix, and both wires go to the coil... it is not installed correctly. A common problem, and it causes rough running & unstable timing.

Pertronix installation instructions

The module should get a full 12v on the orange wire. If it is wired to the coil, it is on the wrong side of the ballast resistor. They always start well, but will run poorly.

The other thing that can cause a lot of trouble with that unit is a poor fit between the rotor & the trigger. Some rotors allow the ring to "float" about 5 degrees - and so does your timing. Look for a rotor that fits the trapezoidal shape on the top of the ring closely. The BWD brand # D147P fits great.

B.

 

[like_A_pike]

Bohica: maybe but it's a little white cube on top of the contact plate and the wires are red and black. The rotor sits down in this tight plastic cup on top of the shaft assembly

I have to give it lots of initial (but big cam right) It just doesn't seem like it gets any advance after that ( I'm going to get a light on it, I promise) If I let it ping a little and feed the car 110 octane it'll stop detonating and do 9 on the 1/8 @75 (that's with a pilot error of .25 at the tree) so it isn't running THAT awful really. It Just isn't right.


Rmblfish: I know I know but I really don't think there's points hiding in that little cube. No condenser inside there

 

[toolmanmike]

This is what my Pertronix looks like: toolman

 

[pishta]

Bohica: maybe but it's a little white cube on top of the contact plate and the wires are red and black. The rotor sits down in this tight plastic cup on top of the shaft assembly...
Rmblfish: I know I know but I really don't think there's points hiding in that little cube. No condenser inside there

There are a few models of "self contained" boxes. Unilite has a weird looking rotor and obviously has a LED pickup, the "rotor sitting on a plastic cup" sounds like a retrofit kit. An HEI module can bolt right under the Mopar distributor and do away with the remote ECU. Supposed to handle higher RPM's and more stable dwell.

here is a pic of a blue one:

 

[like_A_pike]

I think you guys are right, a double take and I find that its got a big white sticker on top of a little black box. I'll look closer at those instructions.

can I assume that under that contact plate, that I still have springs and weights? My plan was to modify this old distributor for an even steeper curve. It needs a new vacuum advance can too.

Again with the orange box kit would I leave that regulator alone?

dw

 

[like_A_pike]

Well thanks all for that! it seems to run a little smoother hooked up right, still not the power slam dunk I'm looking for. I'll let ya know about the bolt on curve. (not allot written about it) I'm gonna assume that the voltage regulator just effects battery recharge, and hasn't got anything to do with the ignition.

Thanks again

l_A_p

 

[bohica2xo]

Glad it helped - I have seen that error a lot.

Your voltage regulator is not related to the ignition control.

The distributor still has all of the mechanical advance components, as well as any vacuum advance if you are using that.

If you see the timing mark moving around at idle, check that the ring or cup under the rotor is solidly coupled to the rotor / shaft. Hold the rotor, and try to rotate the ring below it.

Sounds like you need to tweak the mechanical advance a bit on that distributor.

B.

 

[like_A_pike]

ya I certainly got to realize total advance sooner.

That sleeve fits on the shaft pretty good if I'm careful to make sure it goes all the way down on the notch. Same with the rotor, the tolerance is so small that it almost snaps into place.