Retractable, I don't know which version of Ignitor you have installed that has failed. If you've upgraded a stock Poly 318 A-engine points distributor with the Ignitor III, it requires a ground strap to pass through the 2-wire grommet hole. If not enough slack is left in the flat, braided steel ground strap, the vacuum advance works pulling counterclockwise since the rotation on a small block distributor is clockwise. If not enough slack, the braided cable finally fatigues after being pulled on by the vacuum advance. Visually, the cable looks "OK". However, the frays of ground strap are at rest and both ends together after breakage appear to be OK. Try pushing the strap around sideways with a small, flat blade screwdriver to reveal either a severed strap or it's OK. Replace ground strap as required. No I don't work for Pertronix. I just found that I'm a big block guy trying to work on a Poly 318 and had to learn the hard way. 16,000 miles now on an Ignitor III module and Flamethrower coil in a 63 Fury More Door. No problems after the ground strap repair at 6K miles due to my not knowing what I was doing. Averaging 14.5 mpg on daily freeway drive to/from work 36 miles round trip.
