Electronic Ignition Upgrade ?

To those that have done the upgrade,is it necessary to change spark plugs? This would be on a 180. Thanks. By "change", I mean get a different AUTO LITE # or perhaps brand?

Perhaps keep the original kind of plugs, but I'd replace the wires with resistor wires, if it doesn't already have them.

Pertronix requires it with their new modules. RFI causes problems with more than just radios. I'm beginning to think the few reports I've seen from users here of electronic modules crapping out is due to RFI.

It is not necessary to change the plugs when switching to electronic ignition, but I would check them out while you are working on the ignition system. Recently I have been buying NGK spark plugs and have had good luck with them.

'49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080

Steve in NJ wrote:

Doug is right on. We got a bulletin last summer on RFI playing havoc with E.I.'s from Pertronix. Ever since we got that bulletin, if a customer purchases an E.I. kit from us, I always ask them to check to see if the Tractor has solid core wires on it. Most of the time, they do, so I tell the customer we offer a resistor wire set or they can purchase a resistor set locally if they want, just so they don't lose that E.I. on a stray spike from the solid core wires being used. This does not effect performance at all on Battery Ignition systems. Pertronix was getting a lot of failed E.I.'s back from the Tractor folks, and they think they finally figured it out. Since I started this program with us, I haven't had one call about a E.I. failing yet. So far, so good.... Thumbs Up

BTW, forgot to add, you don't have to change the plugs or coil.There is an optional Pertronix 40K coil that available, but not neccessary as long as you have the correct Coil for your particular application...
Steve@B&B

Here's the chart for correct coil appication to back up what Steve mentioned on correct coil for the aplication.

54 wd-45gas ; 56 wd-45d N/F w/fact p/s ; 63 d-17 sIII N/F gas ; 60 D14 N/F ; 67 d-17 sIV N/F gas ; 63D15 sII W/F; 39rc#667 ; 2021 massey 4710 fwa ; gravely 2 wheel tractors

Hmm, my 45 and 17 has Pertronix, can't remember switching out the plugs, wires or the coil at that time several years ago.

Charlie

'48 B, '51 CA, '56 WD45 '61 D17, '63 D12, '65 D10 , '68 One-Ninety XTD

Steve in NJ wrote:

Doug is right on. We got a bulletin last summer on RFI playing havoc with E.I.'s from Pertronix. Ever since we got that bulletin, if a customer purchases an E.I. kit from us, I always ask them to check to see if the Tractor has solid core wires on it. Most of the time, they do, so I tell the customer we offer a resistor wire set or they can purchase a resistor set locally if they want, just so they don't lose that E.I. on a stray spike from the solid core wires being used. This does not effect performance at all on Battery Ignition systems. Pertronix was getting a lot of failed E.I.'s back from the Tractor folks, and they think they finally figured it out. Since I started this program with us, I haven't had one call about a E.I. failing yet. So far, so good.... Thumbs Up

BTW, forgot to add, you don't have to change the plugs or coil. There is an optional Pertronix 40K coil that available, but not neccessary as long as you have the correct Coil for your particular application...
Steve@B&B

That could explain why my brother's MSD electronic ignition failed within months on his D17. That was many years ago and he or I never tried electronic ignition since. Well that's not quite true as he put MSD on his '70 Dart and it hasn't been a problem though it only gets run about once a year and I am positive he has resistor wires on that of course.

-- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... -
Wink
I am a Russian Bot

CAL(KS) wrote:

3 years and going on my UC puller with petronix and solid wires. 3 ohm oil filled 40k coil, no external resistors or bologna to be exposed. toggle switch ignition and a light on the dash so it doesn't get left on

. mini 3 wire alt running backwards, may switch to a set of resistor wires just to be safe but not a lick of trouble yet.

In my countless years as a communications tech I've learned that you cannot predict how RF will act and how one component may tolerate it well, yet another unit will not. Someone else with an identical setup to yours may not have the same luck. I'd prefix your statement with a YMMV.

On PerTronix website in the Frequently Asked Question section:

"What type of spark plug wires can I use with your Ignition system

Its very important to verify that your spark plug wires are compatible with the ignition system, or any on-board electronics in general. Solid core wires have a copper or stainless steel conductor and generate excessive Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). This EMI can create confusion with electronics and ultimately damage them. With all PerTronix ignitions we recommend that a suppression style spark plug wire (also called carbon core) be used. The suppression wires do an excellent job of controlling the EMI with no degradation to the ignition performance.

Help Topics: Ignition General Help, Ignitor Application Inquiry"

I would add that carbon core wires have a limited lifetime.

Dammit! Now I gotta go outside and look.....

sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?"

Ah,of course . Yes, not saying i was doing it the right way but only that i had not had trouble. And if pertronix is recommending surpressor wires now then we should be following suite to insure good service life.

Me -C,U,UC,WC,WD45,190XT,TL-12,145T,HD6G,HD16,HD20

Dad- WD, D17D, D19D, RT100A, 7020, 7080,7580, 2-8550's, 2-S77, HD15

Well yes, they could build it to mil specs too, I suppose. Have you priced mil spec items lately? As another (I forget who) pointed out a couple of weeks ago, it's best to use suppression on battery ignition systems anyway. He stated the reasons why. I'd look it up, but it's too early in the morning for my old mind.

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