Could someone help me understand the difference between upgrading your points to an electronic ignition compared to installing a coil/ignition box

[tonyp25]

I guess just really don’t understand the difference or performance difference that is? Or in what scenarios you’d opt for one over the other? Other than it being simpler to only install the pertronix igniter rather than the whole kit

 

[dadsbee]

Can't fix any of that shat with a pocket knife on the side of the road...

 

[#41]

You don't need MSD for a street car. Set yourself up with Chrysler 70-80's electronic ignition conversion and carry a full spare dizzy, ballast, and brain box in the trunk. You can buy a complete conversion kit AND A BACKUP KIT for the trunk, plus a really nice bottle of whiskey for less than an MSD set up.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

That’s basically the same thing.
1. Points ignition was used up until 1971 or early 1972 and uses an ignition coil, but does not use an ignition box. Points are inside the distributor
2. Electronic ignition began in 1972 and also uses an ignition coil, but has a magnetic pickup inside the distributor (instead of points) and does need an ignition box.

Both systems work just fine, though most people prefer electronic ignition these days

 

[PurpleBeeper]

You don't need MSD for a street car. Set yourself up with Chrysler 70-80's electronic ignition conversion and carry a full spare dizzy, ballast, and brain box in the trunk. You can buy a complete conversion kit AND A BACKUP KIT for the trunk, plus a really nice bottle of whiskey for less than an MSD set up.

Agreed….and maybe just the ignition pickup and not the whole distributor.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

I like the idea of the E ignition. Put it in and forget it.

 

[NoCar2023]

Or....just keep the points.

 

[WileE]

Points system to an electronic system is basically converting a wearable part to non-wearable. Once you go to an electronic system, it's basically what method utilized among the various companies/systems.

 

[66 Sat]

I think the question the OP is asking is not:

Points vs Electronic

but more

"In distributor Electronic ignition" vs "external box Electronic ignition".

OP - please confirm

 

[OneWheelPeel]

You don't need MSD for a street car. Set yourself up with Chrysler 70-80's electronic ignition conversion and carry a full spare dizzy, ballast, and brain box in the trunk. You can buy a complete conversion kit AND A BACKUP KIT for the trunk, plus a really nice bottle of whiskey for less than an MSD set up.

Saying buy the conversion and extras of the main parts isn’t a ringing endorsement

 

[#41]

Saying buy the conversion and extras of the main parts isn’t a ringing endorsement

I keep hearing that the new orange brain boxes have a higher than desired failure rate, but I have been running this ignition in every old Mopar for 40 plus years and have never had any type of failure. Keep a spare in the trunk and you are golden. Call me conservative, but as DadsBee commented, I also like to build things simply that can be fixed on the shoulder of the road.

 

[Frank Mopar]

Electronic dizzy with HEI.

 

[RJ Squirrel]

Can't fix any of that shat with a pocket knife on the side of the road...

You miss Bob dont you

 

[RemCharger]

Bob would be stuck on, " WTH is a dizzy??"

 

[kiwigtx]

Another thread that will forever keep Bob in our minds.

 

[ynst]

I like the idea of the E ignition. Put it in and forget it.

WRONG!

Electronic ignition distributors DON'T last forever. They wear out just like a Kettering distributor if you disregard the frequent points/condenser changes.
Distributor caps and rotors go bad at the same rate for both.
Bearings go bad at the same rate for both
Advance weight assemblies go bad at the same rate for both.
Vacuum advance diaphragms go bad at the same rate for both.

....and when the magnetic pick-up or amplifier shits the bed, it's a LOT more expensive than a set of contact points.

I can name a couple of individuals (but I won't to respect their privacy) whom I've known for years who just went through the results of the "install it and forget about it" mentality.
One resulted in an engine fire a couple of years ago and the vehicle STILL isn't back together due to the damage.
The second one just got fixed and I got a thank-you email from him yesterday for pointing him in the right direction after the expensive tow home a couple of months ago.

 

[Don Frelier]

WRONG!

Electronic ignition distributors DON'T last forever. They wear out just like a Kettering distributor if you disregard the frequent points/condenser changes.
Distributor caps and rotors go bad at the same rate for both.
Bearings go bad at the same rate for both
Advance weight assemblies go bad at the same rate for both.
Vacuum advance diaphragms go bad at the same rate for both.

....and when the magnetic pick-up or amplifier shits the bed, it's a LOT more expensive than a set of contact points.

I can name a couple of individuals (but I won't to respect their privacy) whom I've known for years who just went through the results of the "install it and forget about it" mentality.
One resulted in an engine fire a couple of years ago and the vehicle STILL isn't back together due to the damage.
The second one just got fixed and I got a thank-you email from him yesterday for pointing him in the right direction after the expensive tow home a couple of months ago.

Please explain the source of the engine fire.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

Naturally some things need checking on a regular or semi regular basis.
I have more faith in modern E ignitions systems, than I do with 77 Dodge systems, and earlier points systems.
The electric shop checked all the bearings and other things in my distributor. They treat me well.
The electronic unit in my 41 Ford tractor has required no checking since I installed it many years ago.

Our new Hillman car, quite the first time we went down the Southern Motorway. A condenser failed. RR, in this case Rolls Royce, had a spare condenser on the side of the distributor.
Maybe condensers have improved since then.
I like the new electronic units.

 

[Don Frelier]

Naturally some things need checking on a regular or semi regular basis.
I have more faith in modern E ignitions systems, than I do with 77 Dodge systems, and earlier points systems.
The electric shop checked all the bearings and other things in my distributor. They treat me well.
The electronic unit in my 41 Ford tractor has required no checking since I installed it many years ago.

Our new Hillman car, quite the first time we went down the Southern Motorway. A condenser failed. RR, in this case Rolls Royce, had a spare condenser on the side of the distributor.
Maybe condensers have improved since then.
I like the new electronic units.

My 77 Fury had 192,000 miles on it when I sold it.
I put a pickup in it just becuase I thought it was a good idea (it was fine).
I put 1 ballast resistor in it when it failed around maybe 170K.
The ignition module was original when I sold the car.
I'd say it was pretty reliable.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

My 77 van was also running on the original gear. I figured an upgrade was a good idea. My 53 Bentley had the original gear, and I left it that way.
I also remember many failures of early E ignition.
Johnson V4 outboard motors, Kawasaki 350 dirt bikes, and many others were left without spark.