Largely because of DZAUTO's raving about the Pertronix ingition conversion, I got interested in adding the Pertronix points conversion to my '70 L34 SS396 to avoid the need to change the points. I found a company called Retro Rockets which distributes the Pertronix Ignitor, the Pertronix Coil and ignition wires. Actually, their prices are good, with the ignitor costing 59.95, the coil costing 27.95, and the wires running 38.95. Best of all no shipping costs, and kits are available. I sent an email to Carl Dudash, one of the folks from Retro Rockets, asking about the difficulty of the Pertronix installation, and he provided the following response, which includes the URL to Retro Rockets. Some of you considering purchasing the Pertronix Ignitor may want to wait a few weeks given his response:

Morris,
On Chevy applications it is usually necessary to pull the distributor to shim
out end play in the distributor shaft. See our web site
http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets for some pictures. Click on
"Installations", then GM to see what's involved.
A little inside information: PerTronix will be introducing a new version of
the Ignitor for GM applications in the next few weeks which will not require
shimming of the distributor shaft so you won't need to pull the distributor.
If you can change points with the distributor on the car, you'll be able to do
the same with the new Ignitor. It will be a few dollars more than the current
model, which will still be available, but the ease of installation may make it
worth it for you. If you can wait a few weeks, that may be the way to go.
We'll offer them on our website as soon as they are available.
Thanks for your email.

CarlRetro Rockets

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Morris "moepoe" Porter

Aces 2674
'70 L34 Chevelle SS396

Thanks Morris,I've got an ignitor in my 66 350 and was going to get one for my 72 402 soon but I can wait.Althought pulling the dist. and shimming wasn't all that hard,did my SB in about an hour.My dealer here in KC had them for $58 last march. Thanks
Rick

The new PerTronix IS AVAILABLE NOW. The regular unit with shims is 1181, the new unit is 1181LCS. I called my local distributor, had him order 2 and they will be about $6 more than the 1181. The 1181 required removing the dist to shim the gear and also required the installation of a magnet ring under the rotor. The 1181LCS (PerTronix sent me one for testing) is a PICKUP UNIT ONLY. It senses the high point of the lobes which previously opened the points. Too, too easy! I will install the 1181LCS on one of my engines and see how it works for a few months.

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Tom Parsons

Was just eyeballing this set-up in the NPD catalog ($69.95 plus shipping for ignitor only). It mentions pulling the distributor but omitted the shimming part. Will definitely wait and shop around.

I am considering ordering my Ignitor form the Retro Rockets company and I'm going to wait on the new one.

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Bryan Shook
Burgettstown, Pa.
1972 El Camino
www.geocities.com/motorcity/speedway/6673 (http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/speedway/6673)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

Anyone had any problems with these units?My brother has one in a Jeep, 305 Chevy, turbo 400, and the thing only runs half the time.You might drive to a store and it's doing fine, but when you come out, it won't crank.Just turns over.Anyone had similar experiences? He took his out and put an HEI in it's place.

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' 72 Malibu project ACES # 1282 Team Member # 427
' 70 C-10 Pickup

Check the rivets that hold the pickup to the base if they are the least bit loose that will cause a bad connection (I know) just hold pickup over a vise a take a punch and smack the rivets to tighten them.That fixed my cutout problem... I called pertronix about it and they (Neal) suggested I send it back and they would send a new one but this was a whole lot easier and faster.But aleast they would stand behind the product!!!!!!Going to get one for my 72 ECSS soon.
Rick

Hey Doug-
If the motor in the jeep isnt a chevrolet that may be the problem. I heard from the dean at my school they were having problems with the Olds ones working maybe they're having problems with other models as well.

edit---Read Twice answer ONCE!!! Dang I need to get my eyes checked!!!
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Steve
64SS-327-4spd-sold to Original owner!
65 Malibu 283/PG!!!
www.angelfire.com/ca4/chevelle/ (http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/chevelle/)
Team Chevelle Member #71




[This message has been edited by Steve D 64 SS (edited 10-26-99).]