VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Can Petronix ignition be used on 1934 distributor

We are trying to find information on using Petronix ignition on a 1934 Master 6 cyl with centrifigal advance. So far everything seems to be negative. Any suggestions ?

From what I've read here, it's suggested you purchase 2 kits & keep the extra one in the car for when the first one fails...Joe

A Petronix unit can be used. I test ran one in a '28 Chevy for a couple years until it failed while running. Fortunately it was in the shop so I managed to replace it with a standard points setup. Even when using on the road I kept a points distributor handy so it could be replaced if necessary.

We installed a Petronix unit in our 1970 Impala when we still owned it and the Petronix lasted one week! It failed on a Friday night at 5:00 on a major boulevard at a stop light in very heavy traffic!

Say with the point system.

I installed one in my 72 Monte Carlo lasted about a 100 miles, it still has points.

Thank you all for your replies, I think we'll stay with the original system, points & condensor.

Good idea!

I second that...Joe

I have two '51's. One is 6 volt, one is 12 volt with petronix.

In the glove box of the petronix car is a set of points, with .019 gauge, a condenser, a rotor, a small screwdriver and an ignition wrench.

Trust, but verify.

I ran a Petronix on the first '54 Chevy 1/2 ton I restored in 1988. It was still going strong when the truck was stolen by gang members in Los Angeles in 1991. I replaced that truck with a '54 3/4 ton (3.55 rear end) and ran a Petronix in that one from day one for the next ten years and 90,000+ miles.
Here's a picture of my '54 3/4 ton truck. I used to rent it out for commercials. This was from an AT&T commercial in 1997.




I've never had a single problem with any of the Petronix ignitions I've had. I currently have one in the 261 in my 210 convertible.

I too carried a set of points in the glove compartment for a few years till I finally tossed them out. I'll never go back to points. The Petronix puts out a lot stronger spark, burns cleaner, and I don't have to fiddle with that little screw trying to set the darn points.

Petronix has a 30 month warranty by the way.

I've had a petronix ignition in my 41 (12vt) for over ten years not had a problem yet (knock on wood) I do keep a set of points also in the glovebox just in case.

I have read here on Chat about mixed results of petronix, some have vowed to never touch the system again.
Tony

There was quite a thread on ChevyTalk, as well, speaking of the pros and cons. I read the Petronix instructions, stating to keep the points and condenser as a "back up". Not reassuring.

I use pertronix, have for years, no problems. But prior to that when I had points I carried a set of points, condensor, rotor in the glove box to replace the POINTS system if necessary. Todays points and condensors have questionable life expectancy.

Over the years that I have owned my cars, I have put 1.1 million miles on all of the cars combined......one of my vehicles had over 400,000 miles. All of the cars had a point system and I never.....ever had a problem with the point system and none of my cars ever left me stranded due to point failure.

Tried the Petronix on one of my cars (a 1970 Impala), and, as I stated in a previous post above, the Petronix lasted one week and left me stranded!!! Never again with the Petronix!