Petronix ignition question
 

Hello all. I just purchased a used distributor for my 77 911 .

This distributor has the petronix ignition module installed in it. My old distributor still has the breaker points.

Where do the red and black wires connect to that are connected to the petronix?

Also what is the proper gap between the the pick up module and the round magnet on the distributor shaft?

Thanx. L

worth the read

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/648571-pertronix-not.html

OK I'll read the article

Still need the info posted above just to get the car running.

Thanx L

If you don't get the quick answer you're looking for, go to the Pertronix website. It's comprehensive and will have the info you need.

Pictures are from my own 1977 which I just took for you.

The trick is to wind the wire on the inside of the distributor so that it does not have to double back at a sharp angle and fray at the joint. The cap will still indent the rubber coating on the wire, even when located at the notch.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1339017423.jpg

My open spare happened to be the top one, where I'm pointing.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1339017452.jpg
You may need to extend the wire to the fuse box, just seal up the joint properly and remember there is a lot of heat back there.

What looks to be some heat wear on my black wires is liquid electrical tape, don't use it. It does not resist heat well and can be a mess. I'll have to check into that that swoosh mark soon, it should not be there.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...7/dist-per.jpg

kachi thanx for the pictures.

it's hard to tell but is the black wire connected/ grounded to the distributor plate where the connector is for the old points wire?

Pains me to see that red lead pinched in that notch. IIRC there is a black plastic rectangular plug which is a feedthru for connecting the external CDI trigger lead to the floating side of the points. At least this was the case for an OEM distributor for my '76 2.7L. The plug had a spade connector on the external side and that is where originally the CDI trigger wire was connected to the distributor. The plug slides up and out of a ~1/2" wide notch in the distributor metal shell. Remove the plug and you have a port to route the wires out of the distributor. I may had drilled the plug out to provide a hole for the pertronix leads, or I may have just used an o-ring etc. to close the port. That 2.7L motor & distr are gone, but I can photo a spare 2.7L distributor to show you the port if you wish.

Also, I posted the instructions for my pertronix in a reply to the thread "ignitor, Dead or Alive???" : for CD system, Black goes to CD trigger , Red to +12 V source. Instructions have other useful info, e.g. gap ~0.030".

My pertronix unit was absolutely reliable over some ~25 years use.

Grant I think I see now.

Both of my petronix wires exit through the hole where the male spade connector and plastic plug fitted to the side of the distributor

So does the black pertronix wire connect to the factory wire that originally plugged into the male spade on the back side of the distributor body?

BTW, don't leave the ignition on while fiddling around. You'll let the smoke out.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/83732-ignitor-dead-alive.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1339349559.jpg

Grant, where would I get a grommet to fit that hole? As you can see, mine is a metal oblong plate, not a plastic plug.

Would drilling a new hole in the housing be better? What of the shavings?

I could take my metal plate out, drill a hole in the plate to fit a round grommet, then reinstall the plate and run the wire through it.

Could I also file a notch in the distributor cap where I have the wire coming out now?

instruction from previous thread.
 

I copied the instructions I has posted on the previous thread:

<<
P/N 1867 Instructions
I don't have a connection with Pertronx, though they seem like nice people. I hate to see hardware destroyed. Hope this helps.

---------------------------------------
PerTronix, Inc.

440 E. ARROW HIGHWAY
SAN DIMAS, CALIFORNIA 91773
(909) 599-5955

IGNITOR

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
PART NUMBER 1867

1. Disconnect battery or make sure ignition switch is off.

2. Remove distributor cap from distributor. Leave spark plug
wires connected in the distributor cap.

3. Remove rotor, dust shield, points and condenser. Examine
rotor, cap, spark plug wires, etc. Replace if any show
excessive wear. Retain points with mounting screw and
condenser. These can be used as a back-up if the Ignitor
should fail.

4. Check side play in top distributor bearing. Excessive side
play will cause erratic performance and must be corrected
before installing Ignitor.

5. Install adapter plate in the same holes the points were located
using the flat head screw provided. Be sure the "dimple" in
the adapter plate is located in the recess the point set
pivot pin was located. Be sure adapter plate is flat on the
breaker plate.

6. Place magnet sleeve over point cam. Rotate sleeve until you
feel it line up with the lobes of the point cam before
pressing it into place. Press firmly until fully seated.f

Note: The sleeve fits tightly. You may need to use your rotor
to help push it all the way down.

7. Place Ignitor module on adapter plate. Secure module with 4mm
nuts provided. Do not tighten nuts at this time.

8. Install grommet in hole (or slot) in the side of the
distributor housing. Gently pull the black and red Ignitor
wire through grommet.

9. Using the plastic feeler gage provided, set the air gap
(0.030") between the Ignitor module and the magnet sleeve.
Replace rotor. If the back side of the Ignitor module hits
the inside of the distributor housing, or if the Ignitor
module contacts the magnet sleeve or rotor, adjust as
necessary to eliminate contact. Rotate the distributor shaft
to be sure the Ignitor module does not contact the
distributor housing, magnet sleeve or rotor. Tighten nuts to
secure module.

10. Make sure the Ignitor wires do not interfere with any moving
parts in the distributor. Adjust wire length if necessary to
insure ample clearance.

11. Replace distributor cap, making sure all high voltage wires
are securely seated.

12. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN WIRING THE IGNITOR. IF THE WIRES ARE
REVERSED, THE UNIT MAY BE DESTROYED!

FOR INDUCTIVE SYSTEMS: .
Connect the black Ignitor wire to the negative (-) terminal of
the coil. Connect the red ignitor wire to the positive (+) terminal of the coil. For installations
that use a primary ballast resistor, it is preferable to connect the red Ignitor wire to. the
ignition switch side of the resistor rather than the positive (+) terminal of the coil.

FOR CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE (CD) SYSTEMS:
Connect the black Ignitor wire to the CD trigger wire. This is the same wire that was
connected to the points. Connect the red Ignitor wire to a switched, 12V source.

13. The engine can now be started: Let the engine run for a few minutes and then set the timing
in the conventional manner.

>>

I'm trying to put my car project back together this afternoon -- no time.
I'll see if I can get a shot of the notch later. Notch is not the oval cap.
Black is correct for the CD system, per instructions above, assuming you have same/similar model of pertronix. (No affiliation with the company, just liked the product.)