Pertronix Ignitor or Ignitor II

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Maintenance Restoration and Repair
1

Hello,
I am getting ready to buy a Pertronix Electronic Ignition kit and I don’t know which one would work best for me. I have a stock J code and I don’t have any plans of racing or major performance upgrades, I just plan to drive around town with the kids for fun. I am wondering which one would be best and any input you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS,
Paul

2

I like the PII for the following reasons (their marketing):

It uses a microcontroller which maintains peak energy at all rpm. Develops 3X more energy and 2X more voltage than the original Ignitor. It increases dwell for easier starting. The microprocessor can sense problems with the ignition system and will shut down to protect the coil and other components.

I bought one but did not end up using it because I went with a MSD 6AL triggered by a Duraspark.

When I saw your post, I was thinking to offer it to you, but I am kind of on the fence about keeping it for “just in case”.

Regards,

Bob

3

The Igniter II also protects itself if the key is left in the “on” position, but the car not running - somthing I do from time-to-time. The Igniter I reportedly would heat/burn out in that scenario.

There is an Igniter 3, but I don’t know anything about it.

4

I installed the Igniter2 … works great.

5

I have an ignitor II also. Works great.

6

For the money the key on thing eliminates the second most common cause of failure for the Pertronix. The most important thing to do is to run that 12 volt power lead to the Pertronix. Other wise I run them in everything I have that came with points, and so far the openly one that failed was a Pertronix 1 that I burned up by leaving the key on.

7

Thank you all for the responses. I was leaning towards the Ignitor II, as I sometimes sit in the car and listen to the radio while waiting for the kids at practice.

Thanks again,
Paul

8

Can someone tell me which part number is correct?

#91281DV Dual points with Vacuum advance
or
#91281 Single point non-vacuum advance

Thanks,

9

PI III has a programmable rev limiter and a couple of other upgrades… not needed for a stock car unless you tend to over do it… good video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlj5KYjAVn4

10

yeah I have a P II and love it, bought and installed one on my brothers TA for Christmas last year.
He digs it too.

11

Ditto, Threes got the PI II…seems to do just fine.

12

Guys, Thanks for the replies. I am going to buy the Ignitor II, but need to know which model number. The 2 I found are listed below, do any of you remember which part number you installed?

#91281DV Dual points with Vacuum advance
or
#91281 Single point non-vacuum advance

Thanks for the link, I will check it out when I get home.

Paul

13

check your dist, if you have one point get the single, if you have 2 get the dual.

both my brothers and mine are the single point

14

Wait so then you have no vacuum advance? Is that a big deal or is vacuum advance not so important with the Pertronix box in play?

15

You still have advance.
Watch the vid on the previous page and you’ll see how it attaches.

16

Oh yeah duh I forgot that you’re still using everything the same except the actual points, so the vac advance stays there and functions just the same as ever. Duh!!

17

Make sure you keep a decent set of points and condenser and the tools needed to change back in the car so if you ever have a failure you can get home.

Bill

18

All you need to do is order the 91281. It will work in just about any V8 Ford distributor. If you don’t want to carry around points, be sure to hook it up with 12 volts to operate the device. If you do want to need to carry around a set of points, then hook it up to the + side of the distributor, and expect it to fail eventually. IT is a 12 volt device and it will fail if you operate it at 6 to 8 volts typically found at the coil.

19

Thanks for the information, I was worried about the vacuum which made me wonder which one was correct. I will be placing the order later today.

Thank you All!

Paul

20

Why start a new thread, when this one is all about it eh?

i got my 91281, and am ready to install. the instructions in the box are not very useful to me, but their video on youtube does fine.

I have 2 questions…

1- do i need a timing light to proceed? can timing go awry from the installation?

2- Everyone confirms (instructions too) a need for a 12 volt, but nobody says where to get said source.