PerTronix continues to bring us terrific ideas that are useful for our vintage Mustangs. Over a decade ago, PerTronix introduced its drop-in Ignitor electronic ignition retrofit for classic Autolite and Motorcraft distributors that effectively eliminated the unreliable point-triggered ignition. The Ignitor offers fierce reliability coupled with ease of installation and service. It remains one of the most innovative aftermarket retrofits ever offered, plus it keeps vintage Mustangs looking original.
When PerTronix came out with its Flamethrower billet distributor, we found it was an easy-to-install ignition package that you can drop into your small-block Ford in about one hour. The PerTronix Flamethrower billet distributor offers outstanding appearance and performance because it was designed from the inside out. Inside, you will find a solid shaft with ball bearing support. All this billet distributor requires is occasional rotor and cap replacement along with checking the module air gap. The cap and rotor are GM designs easily found at any auto parts store.
At the heart of this ignition...
At the heart of this ignition system is the PerTronix Ignitor II or new Ignitor III module. Instead of point bounce and pitting, you get consistent timing that never wavers over the life of the module.
The PerTronix billet distributor...
The PerTronix billet distributor comes with a drive gear designed for conventional flat-tappet camshafts. If your Mustang has a roller camshaft, you must swap it for a steel, bronze, or composite drive gear, available from Comp Cams or MSD Ignition.
We enlisted Ramon's Automotive...
We enlisted Ramon's Automotive to install our PerTronix billet distributor. The installation begins with high-heat lube around the circumference, which will prevent binding.
Distributor installation is...
Distributor installation is rarely easy with a Ford V-8. Your goal should be rotor indexing at No. 1 on the distributor cap. You must also have No. 1 piston at top dead center with both valves closed (compression stroke). Getting the distributor to seat is the rough part. Index the rotor just ahead of No. 1 and wiggle the distributor into place. If it won't seat, gently bump the starter or hand turn the crank. The distributor should fall into place. Crank the engine around to No. 1 compression stroke again and make sure the rotor is at No. 1. Remember, No. 1 can be just about anywhere you'd like it as long as you have the correct firing order.
Distributor cap installation...
Distributor cap installation is easy with the PerTronix billet. No stubborn clips-just push down and turn. Because the GM-style cap is larger than Ford caps, some installations may require some gentle grinding on the intake for clearance.
The factory ignition system...
The factory ignition system gets its power from the ignition switch via a pink resistor wire. The PerTronix Flamethrower ignition coil must have a non-resistor switched power source. All you have to do is go behind your instrument panel and get power straight from the ignition switch by disconnecting the pink resistor wire, then plug right into the ignition source.
Early small-block Fords, such...
Early small-block Fords, such as this '66 289 High Performance V-8, have a cast-in timing pointer or a bolt-on pointer on the left-hand side. Get the balancer at TDC or "0" for top dead center with both valves closed for the No. 1 cylinder. Late-model 5.0L small-blocks have the timing pointer on the right-hand side.
You can mount the ignition...
You can mount the ignition coil in the stock location or on the shock tower. Power from the ignition switch and to the PerTronix Ignitor module (red) are tied to the positive (+) side. Black from the Ignitor goes to the negative side (-).
PerTronix proves that dynamite...
PerTronix proves that dynamite comes in small packages with the new Ignitor III ignition system. It does things no other Ignitor has done to date, like offering five times more spark energy than conventional point-triggered ignition systems, multi-spark performance throughout the rpm ranges, and a user-selected rev-limiter. It's available as an Autolite/Motorcraft retrofit or in the new Flamethrower billet distributor.