Conversion to Petronix Ignitor in a stock 76 302

[KS76Sport]

Brand new member here. I will start off by saying that I know very little about the ignition that is in my beloved 76 and how it all works. I searched and searched the forums, wiring diagrams (which I found I cant read) to try to learn something, no luck...thats why I'm here.

What I do know is that everything under the hood is 100% stock and that it has a Duraspark ignition and thats about it.

My problem is that I bought a Petronix Ignitor and a Flame Thrower coil because Pertonixs' marketing team (and you tube video) made the installation out to be 10 minutes and easy as pie. "A couple of wires, couple screws and your ready to roll, better gas mileage, no points yadda, yadda." Anyway, I go to put it in and there are 3 wires coming out of my dist Black, Blk/Violet, Blk/Orange, not 2. These go into a plug that hooks into the wiring harness Hmmmmm. I have no idea where to go from here. They make it out like its just two wires you hook to the coil, no mention of how to hook into a stock harness (if thats even necessary or possible). Just a shot in the dark here if anyone has done this before...any advice? /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Seabronc]

The connection shouldn't be any different than your existing coil which has 2 wires attached to it. If you bought it from Jegs they will help you with the installation. But if it is only a coil change, then just pay attention to which wire on the existing coil is the (+) and hook it to the (+) of the new coil. Then just attach the other wire to the (-) terminal. If it is an entire system, there must be a set of instructions like I got with the MDS system.

Good luck,

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi KS., welcome...

These rigs are like an "American-Volkswagon" i.e. there's nothing you can't take off., fix., & have working like new again.. /

1st. the "duraspark" is a good unit & prob. functions equal to the Pertronix.

However., they can fail like any other older elect. ignition.

Unclear., I don't think you got the "dizzy" , just the unit that goes inside your existing dizzy..?

Having not done this myself..., I thought those units replaced "points"..?

Just guessing here but, I think the 3rd. wire goes to the tach.

Again., working fr. memory., your old dizzy wires likely plugged into a plug that was then wrapped into the harness group. The wires to the coil exited that harness somewhere near & then hooked up to the coil.

Using a continunity tester, you can find the pin on the plug that goes to the + on the coil...same for - (unless they supplied a new plug)

Like Seabronc said.... where's the directions and/or give them a call..or..call any of the EB stores...they will walk you thru it.

HTH

B

 

[KS76Sport]

Your memory is pretty good Bully cause that is exactly what the set up is. I have the instructions but they don't show the 3rd wire and/or what to do with it (IMO they are not very good instructions anyway). I wish they would have supplied the plug, but they didn't. It doesn't have a tach so don't think that's it. I like the continuity idea to at least find the pos and neg pin on the dist side. However like you say, if the Dura Spark is as good I may just leave it in and send the Petronix back. I've heard nothing but good about MSD, maybe I'll look at that instead if/when the stock one goes TTs up. I'll give Jeffs or WHs tech spt a shout and see if they can tell me what that 3rd wire is.

Thanks a bunch, this place is alright.

/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Bully Bob]

Do let us know what worked & what didn't in your case.

I know the guys at WH don't mind helping you over the phone.

The way I understand it., the electronic ignitions are all pretty good.

However in our case, (4x4'n) we don't get much advantage as the elect. advantages come in/show up at higher RPM's.

 

[KS76Sport]

For sure, if I can help anyone in my position in the future by letting them know what I found I will.

To be continued....