Pertronix ignition upgrade for IH 444 Gas

[tsbutz]

Anyone upgraded their gas IH 444 with a Pertronix II ignition?

 

[300guy]

I wouldn't. I thought it was the cat's meow until recently having lots of problems with the system. I had one for 12 years on my 300 and last year it stated acting up. I spent a lot of time testing and scratching my head. I finally figured out it was the ignition system and put my old points and condenser back in. It runs great now!!

 

[tsbutz]

Thanks 300guy! That’s a bummer to hear! I installed a Pertronix 1st generation in my Ford 2N (converted to 12V) a few years ago and have been very happy the last few years with its performance. Was hoping to hear accolades for the IH 444 as well. Guess I’ll consider sticking with points & condenser. Take care.

 

[CP1]

Seems like the Pertronics people are wanting you to have resistor plug wires ,not solid core wires. Didn’t know that some years back on an Oliver and we went thru 3 Pertronics before we went back to points and condenser

 

[tsbutz]

Yes, I saw that! Recommend carbon suppression wires to avoid EMF that can damage the ignition module?

 

[300guy]

Interesting part is I had solid core wires on the 300 all 12 years with no problems. All of a sudden last year they may have been the cause of the ignition problem I had. Who know????? My points are working good now and I'm not going back!!!

 

[tsbutz]

I definitely understand!!

 

[gmcdeadhead]

I wouldn't. I thought it was the cat's meow until recently having lots of problems with the system. I had one for 12 years on my 300 and last year it stated acting up. I spent a lot of time testing and scratching my head. I finally figured out it was the ignition system and put my old points and condenser back in. It runs great now!!



300 GUY , you went 12 years with no problems, I think that's pretty good , buy another one for the tractor and it will be good for another 12 years ,I have them in all my tractors and they all start right up on a dime ,

 

[gmcdeadhead]

300 GUY , you went 12 years with no problems, I think that's pretty good , buy another one for the tractor and it will be good for another 12 years ,I have them in all my tractors and they all start right up on a dime ,

 

[Oregon Tractor Jack]

I have let the smoke out of two Petronix in the past. One was a shorted coil. The other was my fault. I learned that when running a tractor to empty the carb don't forget to shut off the ignition after it stops... Other than that I have four tractors that run with them and no problems. As a side note, I always carry a set of points and condenser with me when ever I go to a tractor show or pull. Just in case.....

OTJ

 

[tsbutz]

OTJ, thanks for your reply. Based on overall positive responses so far, I’m leaning toward installing one…just to see how it works. I can always go back to the points and condenser if I have issues.

 

[300guy]

Good luck on the try!! Interesting last summer I was moving some dirt, a man came to look at the well and I pulled the tractor up to the shop and let it run. After 20 minutes I went back to finish moving dirt. I noticed the rain cap was not moving and then saw the fan was not moving. It had died while I was talking to the guy and who knows how long the key was on without it running. It would not start but had been playing with a jumper wire from the battery to the input wire to the module. I hooked it up and it started right up. Disconnected i t and it still kept running. So much for killing the module if the key is left on??? This is just another reason I will not use the system again!!!!

 

[tsbutz]

300guy, that’s unnerving indeed! Definitely don’t want to have to pull the battery cable to shut off the tractor!? . Thanks for the additional information!

 

[mike1972chev]

I have Pertronix on both my Farmall Super M, and my Ford 600. I have had ZERO issues with either tractor as far as Pertronix issues. I recently posted about even running solid core wires for a few years on my Farmall with the Pertronix ignition. I just recently switched from the solid core wires,and it is still working fantastic. (I had an ignition "miss" recently, and FINALLY changed out the solid core wires to the suppression wires,and it runs 100% better than it ever did.! It was MY mistake I was running the wrong wires, NOTHING to do with Pertronix.)

Just about everything I see going wrong with Pertronix installations were due to HOW they were installed by the end user, NOT the product itself.Pertronix is VERY good about standing behind their product, as long as you follow their instructions on the installation , and have good support/tech line if you have any questions. Be sure to also add their Flame Thrower coil,and use the supression plug wires.

Just to add, I am NOT against using a points ignition, but the reason I converted everything I own is that you just really cannot get good quality points anymore. If I could go back in time 40+ years and still get a GOOD set of like Echlin points, I would run those. (The "off shore" stuff like you buy at the farm stores is just poorly made cheap these days.)

 

[gmcdeadhead]

mike1972chev​

exactly correct

 

[tsbutz]

Mike72chevy, thanks for your input. I second that! Definitely hard to find a “durable” point and condenser set!