Pertronix 6 volt negative ground ignition experiences?

[Macjazzy]

I have my fathers 8N tractor, I believe it is a 48, or 49. I have actually had it for several years now, it ran when he passed away but I really didn't use it for anything, so it sat for a long time. When I finally decided to use it, I had to do a fair amount of work.

Rebuilt the starter, replaced the sediment bowl, points, coil, plugs, wires, replaced the lift piston, changed all the fluids. cleaned and rebuilt the carb. New battery and made much bigger battery cables for it. Now it starts and runs very nicely.

I bought a carryall for it, and have found that to be a great job for it. I have 4 acres, so I use the carry all to pick up dropped twigs, sticks cut up logs etc. Haul my chain saw, weed eater and various things around the property for chores I am doing, etc.

Anyway, I am looking for anyone who has first hand experience with the Pertronix kit. I don't want to do a 12v conversion. I kind of like it being 6 volt, and when everything is dialed in it starts very nicely. to me an alternator on them looks out of place.

But not having to mess with points would be a nice feature. So anyone who has used that system on an otherwise stock electrical system that has info good or bad would be greatly appreciated.

It is a side distributer, positive ground 6v system

Thank you

 

[Hobo,NC]

Other than getting rid of troublesome points you will still have all the other dreaded front mount issues.

It takes some work but can can eliminate most of those issue while converting to EI. Yes I have done a 6V positive ground and performed rigorist testing to debunk some of the myths you are gonna read by those that have never done it. The myths are coming from those that believe all they read on the internet so hold on to yer seat.

 

[jimtrs]

It's fairly expensive to go go an electronic conversion. That being said, I am an advocate. Tractors that sit around a lot benefit from the conversion.

But .....
I do them at 12 volts.
When your voltage regulator finally gives up the ghost, it is a challenge (read dang near impossible) to find a reliable 6 volt replacement. I've tried dozens of times. Now when a 6 volt regulator goes out, I convert to an alternator. There are small alternator options.

When yours goes out, you may consider going to 12 volts and an alternator.
At that point your 6 volt electronic ignition is not useable, and you would get to spend the money for a electronic kit, all over again

Just something to consider.

And yes, a weak battery and a compromised 6 volt ignition system with an electronic conversion, some times wont make a spark

This post was edited by jimtrs on 04/15/2023 at 03:51 pm.

 

[Duner Wi]

No first hand experience with pertronix but I do have first hand experience with changing polarity.
You are making unnecessary work for your self by going negative ground 6Volt with no gain.

 

[John P.]

I've converted both my 8N and 950 over to a Pertronix 6 Volt Positive Ground System.
I love them both and won't ever go back to points.

 

[Ultradog MN]

You state your tractor is a 1948 or 49
which had a front mount distributer. The
side mount distributer didnt come out till
1950.
We won't fault you for being off a year on
a 75 year old tractor but just to be clear,
your tractor has a side mount?
I have zero experience with a 6V + ground
Pertronix so take this with a grain of
salt.
Question: How often are you needing to mess
with the points? Every time you use it?
Once a month? Every year?
I say let That be the the determining
factor on whether or not you convert to EI.
A side mount ain't bad to get at and
dressing (not replacing) the points once a
year ain't so bad either. If you are
constantly messing with the points then
sleuth out the reason for it and fix it.
These guys can help you.
If you just don't want to mess with points
again then go with Pertronix.
If it matters... I do have one experience
with 12V negative ground EI.
I can testify that the one time I installed
Pertronix in a 12V tractor it was still
making good spark after 11 or 12 years and
the distributer cap never once had to be
opened in that time.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 20:28:44 04/14/23) No first hand experience with pertronix but I do have first hand experience with changing polarity.
You are making unnecessary work for your self by going negative ground 6Volt with no gain.

hat? Your interjection of changing ground polarity is the only mention I see here? Never mind....I see the title disagrees with the text. ???

This post was edited by JMOR on 04/15/2023 at 07:42 am.

 

[Eman85]

I must be doing something wrong as I don't have to mess with my points.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 10:40:09 04/15/23) I must be doing something wrong as I don't have to mess with my points.

have same points in 8N for ~17 years. Rubbing block worn visibly but still runs.

 

[Macjazzy]

(quoted from post at 07:45:17 04/15/23)

(quoted from post at 10:40:09 04/15/23) I must be doing something wrong as I don't have to mess with my points.

have same points in 8N for ~17 years. Rubbing block worn visibly but still runs.

Thank you for all the replies, I do see that my title didn't match the specifics of my question, my tractor has a positive ground system I don't see a need to change it, I just typed it wrong in the title..

It has a side mount distributor. I initially was saying it was a 50-51 when i was talking to other people about it but I had a few people, in person, tell me it wasn't that. So I'm not sure. When I looked at one online source my serial number seems to show it being a 49. Regardless it definitely has a side mount distributor.

My motivation is to not have to mess with points, and a hotter spark seems like a good thing. It runs great now, it was very fiddly getting the points set right. I know if all goes well they should last a long time, but I also know one time with me leaving the ignition switch on and they could be toast.

I do appreciate everyone taking the time to respond. It doesn't seem like many have done this modification so that probably tells me something there.

Thanks everyone

 

[jimtrs]

(quoted from post at 07:05:52 04/16/23) but I also know one time with me leaving the ignition switch on and they could be toast

There is a module from pertronix that covers this problem

It doesn't seem like many have done this modification so that probably tells me something there

Actually quite a few have been converted to electronic ignition. Just maybe more 12 volt, but lots of 6 volt too

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 08:15:38 04/16/23)

(quoted from post at 07:05:52 04/16/23) but I also know one time with me leaving the ignition switch on and they could be toast

There is a module from pertronix that covers this problem

It doesn't seem like many have done this modification so that probably tells me something there

Actually quite a few have been converted to electronic ignition. Just maybe more 12 volt, but lots of 6 volt too

t must be Ignitor II in order to have over current protection. Not sure if that one is available for this tractor. Contact Pertronix to verify.

 

[Hobo,NC]

You are missing out on life time warranty/ Advance auto sets APA1048 have a life time warranty : ).

As easy as those contacts are to replace/service it would have to be a real issue for me to convert a 8N side mount to EI.

Hot I like HOT! OEM is hot enough for me : )

 

[HFJ]

(quoted from post at 09:15:38 04/16/23)

(quoted from post at 07:05:52 04/16/23) but I also know one time with me leaving the ignition switch on and they could be toast

There is a module from pertronix that covers this problem

yes there is. thanks to the heads up from TOH, that's what i got. he said it would pay for itself the first time i forgot.

he's right, it did

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 13:02:47 04/16/23)

(quoted from post at 09:15:38 04/16/23)

(quoted from post at 07:05:52 04/16/23) but I also know one time with me leaving the ignition switch on and they could be toast

There is a module from pertronix that covers this problem

yes there is. thanks to the heads up from TOH, that's what i got. he said it would pay for itself the first time i forgot.

he's right, it did

elp him out by giving him the Pertronix part number to order.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 02:48:13 04/17/23)

(quoted from post at 13:02:47 04/16/23)

(quoted from post at 09:15:38 04/16/23)

(quoted from post at 07:05:52 04/16/23) but I also know one time with me leaving the ignition switch on and they could be toast

There is a module from pertronix that covers this problem

yes there is. thanks to the heads up from TOH, that's what i got. he said it would pay for itself the first time i forgot.

he's right, it did

elp him out by giving him the Pertronix part number to order.

From (suspect) memory I think the Ignitor II module is only availavle as 12v negative ground. If installing a Pertronix ignition I would consider that a "good reason" to change over.

TOH

 

[HFJ]

(quoted from post at 03:48:13 04/17/23) Help him out by giving him the Pertronix part number to order.

i bought a 91247, but that's for my 12 volt tractor. i don't know the 6 volt part number, and i don't see that item when i search their site.

edit: i see that may be because there is no such part, which would be a shame. but, i'd agree with TOH - good time to convert

edit 2: i see i made my first edit nearly 3 hours before i made the post itself. man, i'm good.

This post was edited by HFJ on 04/17/2023 at 09:23 am.

 

[JMOR]

Since can't get Ignitor II for 6v-pos gnd, note that cost of one burn up of regular Ignitor, because key left on, would buy you 15 sets of points. Since I have been running same points for 17 years, 17 X 15, gets me 255 years! :lol:

 

[Dave G9N]

(quoted from post at 06:53:03 04/16/23)
You are missing out on life time warranty/ Advance auto sets APA1048 have a life time warranty : ).

u:f57b3659d1]Limited[/u:f57b3659d1] lifetime warranty sounded good until I read the fine print. Since a tractor is normally used off road, the 90 days might not even apply.

Part # APA1048
limited lifetime replacement

The warranty period is 90 days from your date of purchase or any longer warranty period that may be printed on your original sales receipt.

What is Not Covered
[u:f57b3659d1]Parts installed on vehicles used off-road[/u:f57b3659d1] or for racing purposes.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/o/warrantygeneral

 

[Hobo,NC]

I would have no problem getting a replacement set, worst case its a 1940 pick'em up : )