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Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 8:06 pm
by barkleydave
Just updating the Topic

Field Testing of the Pertronix distributors continues...Mid season and both are operating well.
For those who may not know about the field tests. Pertronix was having corrosion issues with some of their marine units. The decision was made to field test a new prototype. I installed last season and they ran very well. Showed some corrosion which is being evaluated. The decision was made to run them a second season to see if the corrosion continues or stabilizes. My boat is in fresh water covered slip 12 months a year.

There is another set being tested on a Big M in a salt water environment.

safe boating,

dave

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:43 am
by Fastjeff
The rotor is supposed to be removed "once per season" and the felt below it lubricated with a "few drops of oil".

Amazing what one learns if one reads the instruction manual!

Jeff

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:57 am
by bobv
Pertronix does not have felt below the rotor.
Mine were rusted enough that the weights didn't return after start up, this caused the boat to not start again.
I had to take the distributors apart and sand all of the rust off and lube all of the parts.
Sent email to Pertronix and got no response.
Bob

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:34 am
by Fastjeff
Correct; got my "Ps' mixed up. It's the old Prestolite electronic distributors that require the oiling ritual.

Jeff

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:00 pm
by barkleydave
Will inspect and photograph and post results if I can figure out how to post a picture on this site.
resized_STBD Dist 42014_320x569.jpg
Here is a photo taken at spring start up.
You can see it is in pretty good shape. (boat in water all winter)
You can see the corrosion at the pivot points on the weights. The rest is pretty good shape.
I did not lube them they are right out of the box and installed in June '13

I really like the access to the weights and the springs.


safe boating,
dave

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:17 am
by bobv
Mine were worse than that. I even sprayed them with boeshield corrosion inhibitor before the start of last season,Didn't do much at all.
I am guessing I need to sand and oil on a regulator basis to keep rust off.
Bob

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:22 am
by marinetteman

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 12:30 pm
by barkleydave
Thanks for posting the link from the other site!

Pertronix has been fantastic during this test. I was concerned this spring that I did not have a spare cap and rotor.
Roger W. from Pertronix came through again!! Few days later the spare arrived no charge for use during the test.

I am using the springs they had installed for the test. They also sent some other ones to test out the curve. So far the springs they have supplied have been perfect....so I have not messed with the others.

If you deal directly with Pertronix or Summit Racing you should not worry about automotive fakes.

I do not know if they are selling the "prototype" . It surely is much better than the earlier version. Guess we will know this fall when the test is completed whether they are going to stick with this one or rework it.

One thing for sure... my black sooty plugs are a nice ash brown instead of black!

Here is a link to Pertronix. Looks like the new style is now available.

http://pertronix.shptron.com/p/dist-bil ... d-cap?pp=8

safe boating
dave

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 12:50 pm
by barkleydave
While on this topic it got me thinking.

Since I rarely run my boat more than 2,500 rpms and most of the time less and off plane... If I use one weak and one strong (return side for strong)
Does anyone know if that would improve fuel economy at lower speeds since advance starts at around 1,000 rpms and full around 2,400 rpm with that combination?

Now Jeff I know you will jump into this discussion PLEASE :P

dave

Re: Pertronix Distributor Test

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 3:59 am
by Fastjeff
Run on one engine!

Not good adding advance at low speeds.

Jeff