PerTronix kit

[Katsura]

Hi Fulvia lovers,

Does anybody try to use PerTronix point-less kit for your Fulvia?
Recentry I found a point conversion kit of PerTronix named "Ignitor" on their web site. Moreover they finaly produce kit for Marelli distributor of Fulvia. It seems "MR-LS2" for S105 distributor.
http://pertronix.com/
Now I am trying to get the kit and to install it. After installed it, I will post again the impression.

[Ed Levin]

I have been looking at the same thing, but have not tried it yet. Please let us know how well it works.

[John Simister]

I have fitted a kit from Jolley Engineering in the UK to my 1600 HF, which has an S139A distributor. The module itself appears to be the same as the Pertronix one. I've used a Pertronix-made kit before, sold in the UK as the Aldon Ignitor, in a car with a Lucas distributor, and in that particular kit there was a plastic collar with vertical steel or ferrite bars to go round the distributor cam. The Jolley kit didn't have this collar, which is just as well given the need to take a Marelli distributor apart to fit it, and relies instead on the cam lobes moving past the module.

When I fitted it the first time, starting and idling were improved but the engine misfired at high-ish revs under load, making overtaking a bit of a lottery. I checked the dwell angle and it was nowhere near what it had been with the points, so I thought maybe that was the problem. The air gap between module and cam is not adjustable in this kit, so I contacted the supplier who explained that the way the module works would give a different dwell reading anyway, compared with points, and that the problem was more likely to be with the distributor cap, rotor arm or plug leads. I replaced all of these and now I have an engine which starts easily, idles more smoothly, picks up well from cold and pulls cleanly and strongly all the way up the rev range.

I have used the recommended high-output coil too. All in all, I think the change to electronic ignition has been well worth doing. You can see with the strobe timing light that the timing is more stable than it is with points.

Hope that helps.

John Simister

[LFW]

MSD also a good option

[tim]

I like luminition which has a kit for the marelli S139 - but you do have to take the distributor a part to fit. I carry a normal distributor in my boot just in case!

Tim

[Neil Sims]

Interesting topic, I had been looking for a kit for my 1300 Coupe for a while, the 1600 looks like it is better catered in this area, there was a company who did produce a suitable electronic ignition in the UK, but went out of business last year so their kit is no longer available. I would be very intersted in your findings and how easy it is to fit and set up. Do they export to the UK or Europe?

Neil

[Katsura]

The mechanism of PerTronix Ignitor is based on Hall effect. It seems most likely point system just uses electronic switch instead of using mechanical switch, therefore they donft need extra amplifier. It is quite simple mechanism. I have never used this system for vehicle, but I use similar system named gDyna S kith for my motorcycle. The idle is stable and quite good for any rpm (1000-9000rpm). So I guess PerTronix should work for my Fulvia. I am in Japan and there is an importer for the PerTronix products. They say the Ignitor kit and high voltage coil will arrive around the first week of September. I am not sure UK and Europe situation, but I saw a shop specialized for Alfa Romeo in UK handles the product on the web. Of course you can import the product directly from US.

[Geoffrey Goldberg]

I've been using the Crane Fireball on an Aurelia - it works well, has a single little wire from under the distributor cap to a box hidden below the dash. They are sold out of Florida, and are a light-based replacement for points. Easier starting, cleaner ignition, and no fade at high rpm. Nicer low-end pull.

The mechanic who fitted this system has put it on all sorts of cars - Jags, Masers, for example. I don't know about Fulvias, but it would probably work. He wanted to put it on the Appia, so I think it would fit a Fulvia too.

On another Aurelia, it seemed that after about 5000 rpm the ignition seemed to really suffer, as was found out on a chassis dyno test. Probably the points. It seems that the little springs are just not as good today as they were back in the 1960's. WIth the Fireball, there are no issues, and it revs happily up to 6k (I don't go any higher!).

[walt spak]

I use Pertronic Ignitors on Aurelia's with great success. I wanted to try the Crane like Geoff has, but they could not supply it at the time and their customer service people were rude.

I have not needed to mess with the points in my Fulvia since I bought it, so I haven't tried the Pertronic. I wouldn't hesitate though.

Walt

[tony kovacevic]

I have had a Chrysler Valiant distributor modified to fit my Flamina and fitted it with a Petronix electronic conversion. The distributor is currently having its advance curve modified and I will then fit it to the car. I know some other Flaminia owners that have had this done and it has worked well. The main advantage being , no points and $12.00 distributor caps! Also, My Fulvia HF has a Lumenition kit fitted to the distributor and it has worked perfectly for 10 years.