Reply to PackardV8's questions.

Posted by Mark Buckley On 2011/12/26 21:52:39

My Packard still has a 6-volt, positive ground system.

Regarding the power drop, I'm referring to the info I get from battery charge indicator in my instrument cluster. When I start from a dead stop the needle swings significantly over to the left (discharge) side for a second or so, then swings back to the right.

I'll be honest and say I have no idea whether that indicator measures volts, amps, or moonbeams. All I know is things are going well if the damn needle stays near the center and slightly off to the right most of the time.

If the needle swings too hard to the left, the car stalls. It's my understanding the power (voltage? amperage? moonbeam?) drop affects the performance of the PerTronix. This is connected, somehow, to the presence of the overdrive kickdown switch. I may be mistaken on that but it's what I understand.

Before I installed the PerTronix ignition the car would sometimes stall when I started off from a dead stop. I attributed that to not giving her enough gas. Since the new ignition has gone in, I've noticed the battery charge indicator swing. I don't recall seeing this before but that may be due to my inattentiveness.

Thanks for all the comments,

Mark