Pertronix = too much spark!

[davepl]

I had to order a new set of wires today because the Pertronix ignition kept firing through the boots - and jumping half an inch - even with no hole in the boot. After contending with it on multiple plugs I decided it was time to replace them all with Pertronix wires too (hard to find black wires, everything is red and yellow and colored boots and so on).

I was running factory Packard reproductions, date coded and all, but they just can't contain the more powerful spark. Has anyone run into this before? The wires, thin as they are, seem fine. It's the boots its jumping through.

I've seen arcs come out through holes/burns in the boot, but never right through the rubber sidewall like that.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by davepl

I had to order a new set of wires today because the Pertronix ignition kept firing through the boots - and jumping half an inch - even with no hole in the boot. After contending with it on multiple plugs I decided it was time to replace them all with Pertronix wires too (hard to find black wires, everything is red and yellow and colored boots and so on).

I was running factory Packard reproductions, date coded and all, but they just can't contain the more powerful spark. Has anyone run into this before? The wires, thin as they are, seem fine. It's the boots its jumping through.

I've seen arcs come out through holes/burns in the boot, but never right through the rubber sidewall like that.

Pertronix specifies a spiral type of wire but I believe that is due to electronic interference from solid wires. I got a set of black ones from them and other than burning a few on my headers, they've worked great. I got the 7mm "stock look" wires (have the same core as the 8 mm wires) to maintain the old-school look.

[cleszkie]

Sounds like low quality plug boots. Never had that problem when I ran a Pertronix ignition years ago with run of the mill 7mm plug wires. Are you sure the clips were properly secured to the plug tips under the boots?

[davepl]

One wasn't, but the other was for sure. They did seem like cheap boots... they're what came with the repro wires from LMC I think.

[geunther]

Interesting. I just put new Lectric Limited, correct length wires on mine. I was going to order the pertronix ignitor. Guess I better do some more research first.

The problem I was having with off the shelf wires is finding them that are long enough to run the factory routing.

[Acorn]

Are you wanting to stay with factory date coded wires? I would check with some of the vendors that participate on this board. They all seem to o be very helpful. I know LMC gets bashed a lot so I wonder if they just sell crappy wires.
Me personally, I always use Magnacore KV85 wires. Everything I have put them on (truck, boat, motorcycle) I have had great results. Runs noticeably smoother and they seem to last forever.
Curious to hear what you find out.

[davepl]

Nah, as long as they look the part. I don't care about the numbering (on my truck at least) if they are otherwise period correct.

[70STOVEBOLT]

I ran a Pertronix in my 250 for over 10 years with stock-type NAPA 7MM "Mileage Plus", which is their cheaper brand, with no problems. I know you have a big block, but voltage
is voltage, shouldn't make a difference. Now I have a 402 with HEI and I am running the same brand 8MM wires with no issues.

[Bigdav160]

Sounds more like a coil issue. Pertronix is just the switch isn't it? Does it control the dwell?

[davepl]

New wires seems to have solved it. I -think- the Pertronix does capacitive discharge so you're starting with a lot more than 12V when it does the step-up, regardless of the dwell time. That's how I understand it, anyway.