Pertronix 1181 stock 72 350

[kna4977]

In the process of installing a pertronix 1181 in a stock 72 350. Directions mention with or without ballast resistor. I don’t see a ballast resistor. Believe it has a resistance wire instead. Would I just wire up as if it doesn’t have a ballast? Also has a condenser on the points set, but also another on the coil bracket. Would I keep this or eliminate it. Lastly has a stock 293 coil. Am I ok to keep using that?

[Rich69shortfleet]

I've had a 1181 set on my Chevelle for 25 years and have never had a problem. Car has a resistor wire. The point set goes away entirely (kind of the whole point of the Pertronix set up). Keep the condenser on the coil, helps keep radio buzz from happening. Be sure to shim the distributor shaft per the instructions if the distributor is worn and has a lot if up and down movement on the shaft.

[kna4977]

Originally Posted by Rich69shortfleet

I've had a 1181 set on my Chevelle for 25 years and have never had a problem. Car has a resistor wire. The point set goes away entirely (kind of the whole point of the Pertronix set up). Keep the condenser on the coil, helps keep radio buzz from happening. Be sure to shim the distributor shaft per the instructions if the distributor is worn and has a lot if up and down movement on the shaft.

Minimal up and down movement. Clearance for module to ring is in spec .010-.060. Did test the vacuum advance and it doesn’t hold vacuum or move at all. I’ve ordered a new one, but the truck runs fine so do I really need it working?

[HO455]

The Pertronix will work fine with the factory coil and ballast resistor. You just need to supply it with 12v.

If you refer to fig 3 in the instructions it shows positive 12v power to the unit being hooked to the ignition switch side of the ballast resistor. We have a ballast wire instead of a resistor. Hooking the unit to the ballast wire will only provide it 8-9 volts which isn't enough for the unit to operate properly.

This means you will need to find a different 12v positive supply from the ignition switch. That provides power in the run and start positions from the ignition switch.

Or hook the 12v positive supply to the Pertronix to the ballast wire where it exits the connector on the firewall.

Or remove the ballast wire and replace it with regular wire and replace the factory coil with one that works without any ballast wire or resistor. And hook the unit to the 12v supply at the coil. That is how mine is hooked up on my Burban.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by kna4977

Minimal up and down movement. Clearance for module to ring is in spec .010-.060. Did test the vacuum advance and it doesn’t hold vacuum or move at all. I’ve ordered a new one, but the truck runs fine so do I really need it working?

The vacuum advance not working is going to make your fuel mileage suffer as well as give you a small vacuum leak.