Pertronix Distributor or not.

Hi all hope you are enjoying the weather. At this moment I have a cheap electronic distributor fitted which is not that great. Looking at replacing it with


Pertronix Vacuum Advance Standard Style Distributor (with Ignitor 1 Built In), but they also do a distributor with the ignitor 3 but does not say if it’s to be used in the type 4 engine. So my question is does it work. and has anyone changed from the ignitor 1 - the ignitor 3. Thanks Graeme

 

They used to be as good it got for a reliable top quality electronic ignition and dizzy . I have one bought in the mid 90`s and used it for at least 15 years on a 009 eek - 100% reliable and i only changed it to try a cheapo SVDA which gave a better pickup on acceleration .

Now i`m not so sure ??
Have they just become expensive Chinese tat ??

Dunno but suspect so , others will be along soon ...
@mikedjames ?

 

There's a big (ish) following for the 123 distributor.... there's a current thread for a group purchase... don't know how the price compares to a Petronix.

 

Pertronix distributors get a slapping on Samba which is surprising as they're a US firm I think? The consensus seems to be if you're going to spend that much do it properly with a crank fired ignition. Meh.
I think the 123 on the thread here is cheaper and a cleverer piece of kit.

 

What’s not so great about your current distributor?

 

Hi thank you for the reply I bought one From just campers many years ago think it’s made by SSP just makes the van run rubbish I have reverted back to points at this moment but obviously would rather the reliability of electronic.

 

Hi thank you for your reply I will look in to that make tomorrow morning Cheers

 

Or for another option, get an original Bosch / vw dissy from ebay or similar, and fit an electronic module of your choice. Correct advance curve and leccy ignition

 

The Pertronix distributor i bought from Limebug works but trying to strobe it was fun., timing marks dancing all over the place!.
I bought an 034 Bosch, cleaned it up, fitted a new vacuum advance unit and fitted an electronic points replacement kit i already
had that was in a 009 Bosch distributor , all seems ok now and easy to strobe etc.

 

^this. I'd find a old Bosch in decent shape and just fit a Pertronix module to it.

 

I bought a Pertronix dizzy about 4 years ago and its been reliable and starts easily. But I too have had trouble with strobe light dancing, which is not good. Its an expensive distributor and as said I suspect its actually a China made item.

 

For not much more than a Pertronix, you could get a 123, so doesn’t seem to make much sense.

The dancing strobe likely caused by the mech advance being a bit sticky (or full of Chinese swarf).

 

All said and done is it not just a shiny distributor with a pertronix module and a cap the mercans are familiar with?

 

Yes

 

A 123 is a completely different animal isn't it...you actually get something for your money.

 

Ok think it’s best to go for the 123 does anyone know the model I need for a 2.0l type 4 engine. Cheers.

 

Only issue with 123 is that they offload all after-sales support to their dealers, if something does go wrong. You can get a response from them if you persist and nag them, but it's uphill all the way.

 

Can we deduce that you've had problems?

 

Not really. I was trying to pick their brains on stuff, and didn't get much of a response. They don't seem interested.

 

I expect one fellow designed them and nobody else has much of a clue past the basics.