240 to electronic ignition

[woytovich]

I was reading about a 280 distributor/GM coil etc combo to upgrade my 240 to electronic ignition...

Is this the "best", the "easiest" or the only, way to go?

I'd like to get rid of the points system if it's not a BIG DEAL to do so. (I need to buy a new coil anyway since my 240 came without one! And I'll be buying full tune up parts too, so now seems to be a good time to do it "better")

Any info would be appreciated...

Mark

[barth4567]

One word. Pertronix. There are some good electonic systems out there and they do work well. Most are spendy. I paid around $90.00 for my pertronix ignitor and it was just about the best upgrade I ever did to my 72. I mean the thing is simple and it has been bulletproof for me. I had previously tried a E1280 module dizzy and it just did not work for me.Module went out ( it was old when it went in) and you either get another one out of the junk yard if you can find one or fork out $300.00 plus for a new one. I also have a couple of friends that have some seriously sick muscle cars and they have been running pertronix for years. There are alot of options out there but this really works for me. :classic: My opinion only. There are alot of good people on this site that are very knowledgeable and I am sure they can give you some other options as well. Good Luck

Edited November 7, 2009 by barth4567

[FastWoman]

If you go with an MSD-6A ignition module (my current project, as you've apparently read), it will trigger just fine off of points, and you won't have the same EFI trigger issues that I'm having. The tach trigger might be an issue, but I'm guessing their $50 adapter would work for you. The points will last just about forever if all they're doing is triggering the electronic ignition. The only caveat is that they will (very) slowly wear down (but not burn). You might have to re-time every once in a blue moon. Just make sure your vacuum advance actually works. That's apparently the first and most common failing of the Z distributors, both points-style and magnetic.

I don't know if the GM hack is the best way to go, but it's certainly not the ONLY way to go. Just laying out options for you...

[sblake01]

What the 'GM hack' has going for it is that is uses a very easy to find, relatively inexpensive module.

[Arne]

Pertronix is great - IF the distributor in which you install it is in good shape. If the distributor shaft bushings are worn or the vacuum advance doesn't work, many of the advantages are gone. I have one in my 240Z stock dizzy and it works fine. But my dizzy only has 70,000 miles on it and is very tight. Typical 240Z dizzy by now is pretty sloppy.

[barth4567]

Arne: Thanks for mentioning that. But we can still buy new distributors for our cars.Would I be correct in saying that with a new Datsun distributor and Pertronix ignitor the cost would still be less than some other applications? Mallory or MSA for example. Just a question. John:classic:

[Arne]

MSA still sells brand new 240Z "euro" distributors (more properly described as "non-emission") for $200. So call it $300 for a new dizzy with Pertronix. I've also seen Nissan reman units for less. So yeah, that's still better price than a new Mallory.

[Walter Moore]

On an old distributor the thing that wears out on the points is the plastic cam follower. Once the bearings are shot the distributor will eat points like mad. I ended up going with a ZX distributor and the E12-80 module, but I agree with Steve that the GM module is a lot cheaper and would work just as well. The big issue on the ZX distributors is the vacuum advance curve. (Search my posts on that subject for more information.)

I also agree that the cheapest approach might very well be to buy a new "Euro" distributor and a Pertronix. It also completely bypasses the entire issue with re-curving the vacuum advance.

[d240zx2]

Dittos to what Arne says!

I installed a Pertonix in my '70 about two years ago. It starts better and faster and there are no tuning problems as with points. It's a plug 'n play system, but make sure your shaft has no run out....

Frank

[Cutlass372]

I installed the pertronix ignitor and 3 ohm coil in my car and it has been working great, but not at first. It was basically not letting me rev over 4500-5k RPMS. I advanced the timing, but nothing seemed to work. I picked up a new distributor from a friend, set it to 15 degrees and it has been good to go ever since (I have been running 93 octane as well). So like everyone else has been saying, it is important that your distributor is not worn out.

Elliot

[woytovich]

Dittos to what Arne says!

I installed a Pertonix in my '70 about two years ago. It starts better and faster and there are no tuning problems as with points. It's a plug 'n play system, but make sure your shaft has no run out....

Frank

I will pull the distributor and see what I can see... any info on specifically how to check run out on these distributors would be appreciated.

[woytovich]

Is there a specific part number for the pertronix ignitor for the 240 application?

What other items are needed (if any) to use this ignitor?