Pertronix HELL!!!!

[Wayne 962]

Something's not right somewhere, maybe with your timing lamp. I don't know of any 911 engine that will idle at all at 200 rpm, it just doesn't happen. That's about 3 revs per second, which is in the range of what the starter turns the motor at. The timing lamp should have a setting if it has an RPM meter on, that you need to set for the number of cylinders in the engine.

???

-Wayne

[Gogar]

Sean, why don't you rev the engine up to about 1000 with your left hand and check the timing with the light in your right hand? Maybe it's waaaaay off.

Also, I know this seems dumb, but make sure your using plug wire #1 for the timing light. Happens to the best of 'em.

[tmctguer]

one more thing about Pertronix........the depth in which the Pertronix unit is pushed into the distributor is important.

I believe you said that "the magnet looks low". if this is the case, make sure the Pertronix unit is pushed all the way down. Mine took some force to seat it correctly. if your unit is seated too high, the rotor will not fit all the way down on the distributor shaft. This could make your cap fit incorrectly, or worse, could cause your rotor to be broken when the car turns over. thesee might be contributing to a weird idle.

Also, i second the idea about double checking the plug wire upon which your timing light is clamped. Also, I have one of those Sears timing lights, and it took me a few times to get the hang of using it. it works a little differently than a traditional timing light, so maybe you think you're at TDC when you may in fact have retarded the timing so much that it is barely running.

just another idea on what you might check.......good luck.

[sean m]

Thanks all.....
Walter,
The reason I'm replacing is the previous Pertronix black wire broke loose from the unit at the case...no way to splice it in. I am using the old magnet but am wondering why it would work and not the new one?????

Wowzer
The new one is a Pertronix 1867A....not sure what the A is for. Former unit was 1867.....no A after. I'll contact Pertronix to see.

Milt,
Haven't left ignition on for any period of time.

I'll check with Pertronix in the morning to see about the magnet issue. I've looked at raising the magnet....It can't be done due the bottom of the rotor. If I raise the magnet any it'll keep the rotor from being fully seated.......

[sean m]

Wayne, Coger and Rick.....thanks.

It's a new Craftsman light with advance. The light does work....actually got the light right on the mark with the idle way down low(probably at 500 to Wayne's point). When I increased the idle by hand it moved way to the left.......I just thought this would screw it up more by setting timing this way.

Someone in an earlier post said to make sure the Pertronix is pushed down real good.....once again, I'm replacing the exact same unit.....not sure how to get it any lower...it's bolted to a bracket (same as before)