Modern Rodding Tech
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Two-Point Conversion
Electrifying a Vintage Dual-Point Distributor with a PerTronix Igniter II
By Tommy Lee ByrdPhotography By THE AUTHOR
Mechanic installing Igniter II part
D

uring the ’70s, most auto manufacturers made the switch from points-style ignition systems to electronic ignition. General Motors made the most notable jump in technology when it introduced High Energy Ignition (HEI) in 1974. HEI distributors have been a long-standing go-to ignition system for street rods because it’s an extremely simple one-wire hookup. However, the HEI distributor features a large body, which usually looks out of place on a traditional hot rod or gasser. Luckily, there is a better way to upgrade to electronic ignition. Whether you’re running a General Motors, Ford, or Mopar engine combination, the easiest and most affordable way to electrify your vintage points distributor is with a PerTronix Electronic Ignition Conversion Kit.

Our application is an old-school 283ci small-block Chevy with a Delco Remy dual-point distributor, and PerTronix makes electronic ignition conversion kits for many other applications. In many cases, it’s easiest to perform the ignition upgrade with the distributor removed from the engine. For this particular application, the engine was already out of the car, so the distributor was easily accessible.

For our small-block Chevy, we used an Igniter II conversion kit (PN 91183) along with a new Flame Thrower II coil (PN 45011) and new PerTronix stock-look spark plug wires (PN 708101). The installation can be performed with standard hand tools and can typically be installed in less than an hour. Our install took a little longer because we also took the opportunity to upgrade other ignition components. Follow along as we upgrade this vintage dual-point distributor with PerTronix electronic ignition and get the best of both worlds—vintage looks and modern performance.
PerTronix Igniter II conversion kit (PN 91183)
1. Everything you need—and it isn’t much—is provided in the PerTronix Igniter II conversion kit (PN 91183) for our Chevy distributor.
Flame Thrower II coil (PN 45011)
2. An external coil is necessary to keep that early V-8 motor look; here the Flame Thrower II coil (PN 45011) looks like an original coil but is supplying significantly more energy.
PerTronix stock-look spark plug wires (PN 708101)
3. The PerTronix stock-look spark plug wires (PN 708101) look factory but they perform like modern-day, high-quality, primary wires.
Delco Remy dual-point distributor from a 1961 Corvette
4. Our subject is a Delco Remy dual-point distributor from a 1961 Corvette, but the same principles of the install apply to most other applications. This type of ignition system was common from the ’50s through the early ’70s.
Mechanic removes top piece of distributor to install conversion kit
5. If you plan to remove the distributor, you’ll want to bump the engine around to top dead center before doing so. This particular conversion kit can be installed with the distributor in place but it is often easier to perform the install with the distributor clamped in a vise. You can confirm that the number one cylinder is on top dead cylinder by looking at the direction of the rotor.
with the distributor cap re- moved, we get a glimpse of the dual-point ignition system
6. With the distributor cap removed, we get a glimpse of the dual-point ignition system. This design offered good performance in the early ’60s but did require more maintenance than an electronic system.
Mechanic removes the condenser from the distributor
7. The disassembly process continues by removing the condenser, which is held in place with the same screw that holds the distributor cap spring clip. Single-point ignition systems sometimes have the condenser located inside the distributor. We will also take the opportunity to remove the resistor wire that runs from the starter solenoid to the coil—this is no longer needed.
the points assembly rotates on a pin and the base is held in place with a single screw
8. The points assembly rotates on a pin and the base is held in place with a single screw. The elongated hole in the points assembly allows for adjustment. The beauty of electronic ignition is the fact that it never needs to be adjusted.
PerTronix provides a mounting plate for the Igniter II ignition module. It fits over the pivot pin and eccentric screw
9. PerTronix provides a mounting plate for the Igniter II ignition module. It fits over the pivot pin and eccentric screw. A single screw (provided in the kit) holds the plate in place. Then, the magnet sleeve simply slides over the distributor shaft and is topped off by a plastic spacer ring.
the PerTronix Igniter II module attaches to the mounting plate with two provided screws
10. The PerTronix Igniter II module attaches to the mounting plate with two provided screws. While some PerTronix kits have an adjustable air gap between the magnetic sleeve and the module, this kit is not adjustable. It simply bolts into place and you’re ready to go.
view of the Igniter II modules two-wire setup
11. The Igniter II module has a simple two-wire setup. The red and black wires can be routed through the original notch in the distributor’s body. PerTronix includes a grommet for a clean installation.
you can reuse your existing rotor, but now would be a good time to replace it
12. You can reuse your existing rotor, but now would be a good time to replace it. These components are typically very affordable, and it’s great assurance to know your ignition system is new from top to bottom.
Mechanic re-installs the distributor cap using spring clips
13. Next is the distributor cap, which installs with the two spring clips. The original-style distributor cap hides the modern technology underneath and gives us the look of a ’60s distributor.
Mechanic uses heat shrink tubing around wiring connections
14. After cutting the wires to the proper length, we stripped them and added small ring terminals to fit the ignition coil. We like to use heat shrink tubing around wiring connections to protect it from the elements.
View of installed PerTronix Flame Thrower II
15. The PerTronix Flame Thrower II coil offers the old-school look and provides 45,000 V of power for our upgraded electronic ignition system. The positive side of the coil uses the red wire from the Igniter II module and the 12V ignition source from your ignition switch. The black wire from the module goes to the negative side of the coil.
Close view of PerTronix spark plug wires installed with Flame Thrower II
16. PerTronix also manufactures spark plug wires, so we went with a set of stock-look 7mm wires that work perfectly with our original-style distributor cap.
View of new installed AC Delco R45S plugs
17. Since our old-school 283ci small-block Chevy was fresh, we installed a new set of AC Delco R45S plugs to make sure every piece of the engine’s ignition system was new. Then, we carefully routed the PerTronix spark plug wires and snapped them into place to finish off our ignition system upgrades.
 SOURCE

PerTronix Performance Brands
(909) 599-5955
pertronixbrands.com

Modern Rodding
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 3 • 2021