1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

I would like to install an electronic ignition in this 34 3 bolt v8. Any info on where to purchase or advice on doing this would be appreciated! Thanks!

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

A bubba thought ! Electronic ignition doesnt work well in a helmet distributor ! Too many issues with rotor, side caps etc.
I would suggest making the helmet upgrades ie: small points, 11 a advance unit and proper clearance new cap for rotor gap control . Use a rebuilt Skip coil and drive it .:eek::D

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Bubba, would you not have to be careful with the 11a advance,
I tried this in my 33 and it had too much advance and the eng was as rough as at 50 + mph.
after a while I went back to the 40a unit and it was as smooth as and went really nice..my 33 was stock with the alloy heads and 97 carb.
I use the lowest grade fuel here at 91 oct.
Lawrie

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

I used the Mallory Unilite 2 bolt w/crab dist on my 35 and 36 with no problems ever.Both cars had 59A motors.

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Yes the 11A at 22 degrees might be too much advance for a stock early engine.
Thats the problem with some of the new Mallorys they have too much advance for the stock engines..

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Bubba, those Mallorys have to much advance for all flatheads.
In my experience, modifying the engine requires the curve to be shortened. For instance, higher compression needs less advance so does twin carbs. A big cam wants more initial advance but same total, therefore less built in advance.
You not found this? I'd be interested in how and why if you haven't.
Martin.

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Lawrie
Sounds like the vac brake isn't working right.

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

I agree with everything you said.
Seems as if we all live in a "chevrolet world" when ignition is discussed . The small block chevrolet has always wanted 36 to 38 degrees of spark advance and thats what the aftermarket folks understand... In some cases its pretty hard to change there minds ..:)
There was a reason Ford made up different advance curves for different engines over the years and we cant just throw a blanket over them with a standard number. Each case is a little different .

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

I use Pertronix units in both of my "Helmet" distributors. They work GREAT. One is on a stock 39 coupe and the other is on my heavily modified 32. The 39 has been working well for over 25 years. The 32 for just 2 years as the engine is new

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Kahuna, has that had a petronics kit in it for 25 years? Just wondering on the life span of they petronics.
Bubba, absolutely ever case is different. Sometimes by a snitch sometimes by a country mile. I agree we can't blanket them.
Martin.

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Ron ,I played with the vac brake on the 11a but it only delayed the roughness,
After I ran it up on my dist tester and compared it with the 40b the curve is way different ,
I was going to do what Walt suggested and shorten up the advasnce in the 11a but thought that would need to be a fairly accurate to get both slots the same,I could have welded them up and used the mill I suppose.
But it was easier to use the 40b.
Lawrie

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

One thing I would like to do is work with these for awhile to get familar with them. Allot of people use them. The problem is: they aare hard to modify because of their initial design. JWL made a fixture that allows him to run these distributors in an 8BA. I have an adapter for my dist mach and I only use it to check them out. Right now Richard is modifying an EFI dist for me. Plan on running the 88092 GM system in the near future, I think this is the way to go for the future of our old engines, Beauty part of it, all the electronics can be hiden so they look stock.

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Ron, my boy built up an engine for his Torana,(a GM Car).
he made all his own manifolds and stuff,he used a Haltec management system,it controls the ign fuel and everything,to change the timing you don't even need a spanner,just type it in and she's done.
Lawrie

Re: 1934 V8 3 bolt distributor electronic ignition
 

Yes, Scooter
I bought it from Perlux (before the name changed to Pertronix) in 1990. It was not a kit, just the trigger module and a reluctor ring. I had to make it fit. Great device.