Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

[natemoore]

I'm a busy bee today. Decided to go ahead and install that Pertronix kit I bought 15 months ago. After installing the magnetic sleeve, the rotor sits about 0.15" inches too high and I can't get the distributor cap on. I rotated the sleeve until it was lined up, then pushed down firmly on it like the directions said.

Did any of you have to trim off the bottom of the rotor to get it seated?

Also, is there an acceptable amount of play in the rotor? Mine wiggles a little even without the sleeve installed.

 

[1977 SILVERLINE]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

Sometimes the magnetic sleeve in the pertronix unit fits a little tight on the shaft. Take a deepwell socket that fits over the shaft and is about the same size as the magnetic sleeve and LIGHTLY tap it down into place.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

When I put mine on I had the same problem as I recall, so I pushed real hard and the plastic rim at the top broke off. Asked my autoelectric guy (Petronix dealer) about it and he said no problem, so I guess you could file that little top flange off so that it slides down lower on the shaft, but it might be wise to call Petronix and ask first. You need a full 12V to the module so you will need to bypass your resistance wire from the choke with STRANDED wire.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

I found out the hard way, that the rotor should not have ANY side to side play. Mine had a slight side to side play and when I went to WOT, the rotor actually exploded inside the Distributor cap after coming into contact with the inside of the cap. The distributor was rebuilt the next day and the problem was solved.

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

When I put mine on I had the same problem as I recall, so I pushed real hard and the plastic rim at the top broke off. Asked my autoelectric guy (Petronix dealer) about it and he said no problem, so I guess you could file that little top flange off so that it slides down lower on the shaft, but it might be wise to call Petronix and ask first. You need a full 12V to the module so you will need to bypass your resistance wire from the choke with STRANDED wire.

That's exactly what I thought was keeping it from going all the way down.

I unknowingly ordered the wrong resistance coil. I got the 1.5 ohm and the Pertronix instructions in the Igniter box said I needed a 3 ohm for a 4 cylinder engine. The rep at Pertronix tech support said I should use the resistance wire to make up for my little error.

Do you have the 1.5 or 3 ohm coil? Do you agree with his reasoning?

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

I found out the hard way, that the rotor should not have ANY side to side play. Mine had a slight side to side play and when I went to WOT, the rotor actually exploded inside the Distributor cap after coming into contact with the inside of the cap. The distributor was rebuilt the next day and the problem was solved.

I think the rotor must be a little worn. The play is between the rotor and the shaft.

 

[1977 SILVERLINE]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

I am running a 1.5 ohm coil on my 470 and using the factory resistance wire to power the coil. I ran a new switched 12v to power the ignitor unit (red wire)

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

Okay, resistance wire to the 1.5 ohm coil gives me about 8 volts at the (+) terminal (but I'm running on battery power only since my alt is kapootz). Battery is reading 11 volts. So, I should bypass the resistance wire to deliver a full 12 volts to the module. Got it. I'm still wondering if that 8 volts in enough to fully excite the alternator stator, or if I should bump that up to 12 volts also.

I used a knife and scraped away the rim on the magnetic sleeve, then gently tapped it into place with a socket and hammer (actually the handle of a screw driver). It was a snug fit. Gave me enough room to fully seat the rotor. Although it jumped to life, at idle, after sitting for three days and ran great, I couldn't get the timing to stabilize on 4 BTDC. I'm thinking that play in the rotor is screwing things up. Plus, when I tighten down the bolt, it moves the distributor ever so slightly. Is it better to be a little advanced or retarded if you can't get it perfect? I know the original timing was 8 BTDC.
Thx guys!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

I'm glad it runs. Now are you saying the distributor shaft that the rotor is on has play and moves around inside the cap? If so check to see if it touched the cap, look for marks. It should just sit there and spin in place. Any marks inside the cap - stop & replace the distributor or make repairs. Fully charge that battery before you run the motor, with full juice you might get a better timing check. Once you have your electronics and alternator tell us your timing, right now it's a crapshoot.

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

No, it's just worn plastic inside the rotor that is causing the play. Inside of the distributor cap looks great. I'll get a new rotor, install my new alternator, charge the batteries, then try it again.
Thanks

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

8 volts in enough to fully excite the alternator stator, or if I should bump that up to 12 volts also.

couldn't get the timing to stabilize on 4 BTDC. I'm thinking that play in the rotor is screwing things up. Plus, when I tighten down the bolt, it moves the distributor ever so slightly. Is it better to be a little advanced or retarded if you can't get it perfect? I know the original timing was 8 BTDC.
Thx guys!

Did you get the Flamethrower coil with the Petronix? If you did just run 12V to the coil + and you are OK. Same with mine, jumped around about 4 degrees, took the distributor in to my autoelectric guy and he rebuilt it. Stable as a rock now.

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

Did you get the Flamethrower coil with the Petronix? If you did just run 12V to the coil + and you are OK. Same with mine, jumped around about 4 degrees, took the distributor in to my autoelectric guy and he rebuilt it. Stable as a rock now.

Yes, I got the Flamethrower, but mine is 1.5 ohms, not 3 ohms. What would be the general term for a company that rebuilds distributors? I probably don't have an "autoelectric" company here in P'cola. Incidentally, I looked at the parts schematic for the distributor and didn't see much to replace except the shaft and gear. What did your autoelectric guy do?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

OK, then you will want to splice the red wire to a stranded wire that is spliced into the choke wire before it gets to the choke, that should give you a full 12V. In this case the red wire would not be attached to the coil +. My guy cleaned and lubed, replaced the bushings and ran a advance curve to bring all up to Delco spec. Try a Google search for alternator rebuild in your area. Good luck

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

Ah! I believe that cut and capped off purple wire that I mentioned in my other post will give me that 12 volts. Thanks for all the help, everyone.

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

OK, then you will want to splice the red wire to a stranded wire that is spliced into the choke wire before it gets to the choke, that should give you a full 12V. In this case the red wire would not be attached to the coil +. My guy cleaned and lubed, replaced the bushings and ran a advance curve to bring all up to Delco spec. Try a Google search for alternator rebuild in your area. Good luck

Not good. I called the biggest local alternator and starter rebuilder in Pensacola. He said he doesn't do it and knows no one around who does rebuild. Is this Autoelectric a national chain or franchise?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

Just a small shop up here http://northstarautoelectric.com/ You might give them a call, I would think you could send it to them in the off season. He is also a Petronix dealer, and fixed me up with a switch activated relay to provide power to the module, works sweet!

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

Thanks Terry. What did he charge you for all that?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

2 hours @ $69/hr + $28 for the relay That included instillation and checking out my Petronix and setting the advance curve to Delco spec.

 

[natemoore]

Re: Put Pertronix on a 470 today. Rotor won't slide down all the way.

2 hours @ $69/hr + $28 for the relay That included instillation and checking out my Petronix and setting the advance curve to Delco spec.

Timing is solid at 4 BTDC now after getting pertronix/alternator/coil squared away. Went fishing yesterday all over Santa Rosa sound. Caught a bunch of nice size croakers. My wife hooked a fish that bent her 8' surf rod into the shape of a "C". Before I could get to her and decrease the drag, the 10 lb test line broke. Wonder what that fish was? Oh, engine ran fine, except.....(new thread)