Which Pertronix to get?

[cataclysm80]

1970  383  four barrel   stock build

This car is trying to look original.  I'm leaning towards Pertronix, so that I don't have to mount an ignition box anywhere.

I've never installed a Pertronix before.  Which one is the right one to get?

Does it matter what distributor I put it into? I'd like it to just look like a stock distributor, so do I just pick up a local parts store distributor?

I have the engine wiring harness without electronic ignition hookups.
Should I have purchased the harness for an electronic ignition?   (I think it's designed for the stock Mopar ignition box that came out later.)

[anlauto]

It's easier to modify a point ignition wire harness. You would have to do some research....I'm not sure if they make a kit for single point distributors from Chrysler......I thought they only made them for the Prestolite dual point distributors, but I certainly could be wrong.

[fc7cuda]

I use the Pertronix 1381A.  I saved my original Prescolite dual point and installed it in an extra aluminum house/case single point distributor.  One type of installation has both wires go to your coil, and the red one is quite bright so it's kinda hard to hide.  The stock dual snorkel air cleaner helps.  The other install has the black to coil and red to ignition side of resistance.  This might be easier to integrate into your wiring harness for obscuring it.  Also, buy their COIL. It's black so it's not noticeable but must be used for proper ohms.

Tom 

[Chryco Psycho]

my vote would be none I have seen too many fail
make sure the red power wire is connected to the blue  12v feed not the coil + terminal if you do buy one

[JS29]

I just bought the 1381A for my 383 for my 1970, have not had the chance ti install it yet. will let you know how it go's.

[cataclysm80]

OK,  I considered using the Accel 2030 Points Eliminator Kit,  but I've settled on using the Pertronix 1381A.

When I had my 70 Challenger together, it used the 1972 and up factory style electronic ignition (with a Wells chrome box).
My 70 'Cuda runs an MSD6AL nicely hidden under the battery tray.
This time, I wanted to try for something that was hidden inside the distributor.  This will be my first time installing a Pertronix.
If something goes wrong, or it fails to soon, the back up plan is a Rev-n-nator hidden under the battery tray.

If I use a 1.5 ohm internally resisted coil (like the suggested Pertronix coil), then I can hook the red wire to where 12 volt enters the coil.  This would require that I bypass the factory ballast resistor.

Alternately, If I'm using an externally resisted coil, then I leave the factory ballast resistor in place, and hook the red pertronix wire to the 12 volt side of the ballast.

Knowing that the Pertronix unit likes 1.5 ohm resistance, I checked the factory ballast resistance, and was happy to find that it is also 1.5 ohms.


Since I already have a new reproduction date coded coil, I've elected to keep my coil, and run the red ignition wire to the ballast.