Petronix VS. MSD Distributor?

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   1974 AMC Matador 304 - stock with old/original points distributor.

DO you folks recommend a Petronix ignitor kid or a MSD distributor? 

I'm favouring the former, but I'd love to hear the thoughts of those who have gone down this road before.

The goal is simply to reduce maintenance and improve drivability.

Thanks,
Chris

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The Rebel Alliance Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/26/2015 Location: White Rock BC Status: Offline Points: 443	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Rebel Alliance Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Petronix VS. MSD Distributor? Posted: Nov/14/2015 at 7:14pm
	1974 AMC Matador 304 - stock with old/original points distributor. DO you folks recommend a Petronix ignitor kid or a MSD distributor? I'm favouring the former, but I'd love to hear the thoughts of those who have gone down this road before. The goal is simply to reduce maintenance and improve drivability. Thanks, Chris

FuzzFace2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/05/2007 Location: Angier, N.C. Status: Offline Points: 10356	Post Options Post Reply Quote FuzzFace2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/14/2015 at 7:42pm
	If me I would go with Petronix ignitor kit that is if the points dist. bushings are good. I say this because you would not need to deal with the dist. gear as the one in your car is working and is matched to the cam gear. The MSD gear (if it comes with one as I don't remember) is not matched and could wipe out both gears and then motor rebuild time because of all the metal pumped thru out. The points dist. should be just as easy to dial in the advance curve as the MSD one. BTW no I don't have a Petronix ignitor kit but run a MSD dist & 6AL box in my drag car. I also run a Mallory duel point dist. in my street Javelin and a Mallory duel point dist. with a Mallory ignitor kit in my 75 factory v8 Gremlin because the stock dist. craped out and I need to move the car and it was all I had. Dave ----
	TSM = Technical Service Manual 75 Gremlin X v8 for sale 70 Javelin 360/auto drag car 70 Javelin 360/T5 Street car

bcsideshow Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: May/19/2010 Location: Kenosha Status: Offline Points: 1228	Post Options Post Reply Quote bcsideshow Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/14/2015 at 9:11pm
	I agree with fuzz and would run the pertronix. Ive installed a few and they work well. I too am running Msd's but only for the additional tuning capability.
	1969 SCRambler "B" 1970 AMX 390 Auto 1968 AMX 390 Auto 1970 Rebel Machine Project 1969 AMX 390 4SPD Project 1969 AMX 390 Auto Project 1969 Javelin 390 project 1997 Cherokee lifted 1998 TJ Lifted

bikerfox Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Aug/02/2009 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4473	Post Options Post Reply Quote bikerfox Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/14/2015 at 10:27pm
	I would suggest looking into this company's electronic kit: http://www.wiringharness.com/ I used it on my Rambler's original engine and it's a true one-wire system, compared to Pertronix's two-wire system. Easy to install and looks stock.
	1969 Rebel SST (1970-1987) 1968 AMX (2005-2011) 1969 SC/Rambler (2011-2019) 1970 Javelin (2019 to ?)"Jane"

The Rebel Alliance Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/26/2015 Location: White Rock BC Status: Offline Points: 443	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Rebel Alliance Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/14/2015 at 10:48pm
	Thanks for the replies. I picked up a newly rebuilt distributor for a good price recently so I trust the bushings will be ok. I wasn't really thinking electronic ignition, but it makes sense. The last link from bikerfox is interesting, though it is double the price of the pertronix.

FSJunkie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2011 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4742	Post Options Post Reply Quote FSJunkie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/15/2015 at 12:02am
	I would run the Pertronix in your distributor because your distributor's vacuum and mechanical advance is tailored to your specific engine.
	1955 Packard 1966 Marlin 1972 Wagoneer 1973 Ambassador 1977 Hornet 1982 Concord D/L 1984 Eagle Limited

rocklandrambler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Feb/09/2013 Location: Nanuet, NY Status: Offline Points: 3953	Post Options Post Reply Quote rocklandrambler Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/15/2015 at 1:15am
	I've used the Pertronix kits on 3 different vehicles with no problems. I did a quick check and the Pertronix kit from Summit is about HALF the price of the one from Wiringharness. For the sake of saving 80 bucks I'll attach a 2nd wire.
	Past AMC's 1974 Hornet X (new) 1975 Gremlin X (new) 1964 Classic 660 Cross Country 1965 American 440-H

74gremx Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/18/2009 Location: Adelaide, Aust Status: Offline Points: 949	Post Options Post Reply Quote 74gremx Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/15/2015 at 1:25am
	I installed a Pertronix in my 304 today. Easy to do, just follow the instructions for getting the gaps right. Fired up straight away. I also fitted one on my Jav many years ago, and that dizzy had a worn top bush. Even so, the 360 ran better. My thinking is that the shaft will move a bit and change your dwell with points, but the Pertronix magnets just have to be close to fire.
	1970 Javelin 360/727 1974 Levis Gremlin X 304/904 1964 American Convertible 1974 Matador wagon (parts) 2016 Holden Cruze Equipe 2014 Holden Colorado "Don't mistake activity for achievement".

ccowx Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/03/2010 Location: Yukon Status: Offline Points: 3510	Post Options Post Reply Quote ccowx Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/15/2015 at 12:00pm
	I would go with the Pertronix, as others here have mentioned. For what you are trying to do, ie eliminate points, it will work perfectly. The easy tuneability etc from an MSD is nice but if you have already got it tuned and running it should be a simple drop in and go. I would check the timing with a light to see if there is a slight difference in exactly where it fires, but that is it. The tuning built into the dissy, ie vac and mechanical advance, will stay exactly the same. I don't know exactly what you mean by "improved drivability" but it will behave as if the points are always freshly adjusted. Otherwise there will not be any change. Electronic ignition is not a magic bullet, especially in a fairly stock car, but it simply eliminates issues of changing dwell over time and point bounce over 5000 rpms. Contrary to popular belief, they were not designed for performance but for emmissions control to meet a federal law requiring that it hold tune for 50,000 miles. Chris PS: The Ignitor I will work with the stock ignition wiring, including the resistor wire. The -II and -III require that the resistor be removed.

232jav3sp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2013 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2451	Post Options Post Reply Quote 232jav3sp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Nov/15/2015 at 12:15pm
	If you get the Ignitor II or III you can use the ballast resistor bypass relay kit from Pertronix. I just did that to my car last weekend. You'd be best to mount it under the dash. I did that with mine and only had to add about 18" of wire to the resistor wire and to the coil. I had read a review on Summit's site saying that it works well but doesn't like moisture (hence why I mounted under the dash). You may have to solder the supplied diode in the wire for the battery charge light. Edited by 232jav3sp - Nov/15/2015 at 12:21pm