Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

need help on this one,i have a 1956 clipper with the 352 and a autolite distributor.has any one swapped over thier car to electronic ignition,what brand and part number did you use.i have already contacted pertronix about this and they said they do not have an application for my model distributor and i would have to send it to them which would cost to start $300.00 plus parts(i do not think so ).heres the info off the distributor ( IBJ 4001D 10K)thanks

I believe you will need to get a Delco distributor and then convert it to Petronix. You may also need the Petronix coil.

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You need an MSD-5. It still uses the points, but takes all the current out of them so it lasts as long as the cam bumper does. I've had one in my 55 Pat for 12 years. The only thing the Pertronix does is eliminate the points and that's not worth a distributer change IMO.

Oh yes, the MSD-5 comes with a jumper wire to eliminate the MSD-5 in case of failure or if you want to check your dwell (to check point bumper wear). However, dwell does not affect the MSD-5, but it will affect the timing. But you can readjust timing with the normal timing light and distributor turn adjustment.

I'll add that there's no change in the coil either. Don't let anyone talk you into an MSD-6, it's not appropriate for a Packard V-8 (<4500 rpm). When I had my racing business in the 1970s and was a W-D for MSD (Autotronics then), I rarely had a failure. MSD is used by EVERYBODY today after 35 years in business.

Craig

You could use a Ford thick film ignition module wired to work with your points distributor. I did this on a 1975 Porsche with points distributor and it works like gang busters. Using the Ford coil it will throw a spark 3 to 4 inches long. About 10 times better than the original Bosch ignition.

I got the idea from this website, look in the modification section for directions and wiring diagram.

Cost to me was under $20 using junkyard parts. Replacements are available at any parts store.

Yeah. what is that called by Ford???? TFI or TPI or something like that???? I was looking for that thread a few weeks ago and could not remeber.

I think this is ti:
https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=3290&start=20

While I will not debate the ability of a Ford unit ot throw a 3" spark adn how much voltage it would take, teh spark only has to jump a .030" or so gap, so that much more is a nice thing to brag about but will not ignite the gas mixture any better.

I agree with you that you do not need a super hi power ignition. I am suggesting that if you have an ignition as hot as a stock Ford Escort from the 90s, you will have no trouble at all with your ignition. No aftermarket ignition, miracle coil or anything else is necessary.

Jumping a spark in open air is a lot easier than in an engine under compression. The Ford spark was not only longer it was brighter and fatter. The original Porsche ignition is frankly pathetic. .55MM spark gap is like something for a 1955 lawn mower. The Ford is so far superior it is like a joke.

The Ford module has the added attraction that it is no bigger than a pack of cigarettes even with the heat sink. You could hide it in some inconspicuous place and no one the wiser.

I actually tried to install an MSD ignition on my Porsche but could not find room for it under the hood. The Ford unit fit in place of the old Bosch and looks natural.

The advantage of having a higher voltage available from the coil is that you can open up the plug gap to get a hotter spark.

I run a .040 gap with a Pertronix coil and have no problems on my 47, 356 engine.

disclaimer: This is my observation and not written in stone or in any engineering text that I know of.

John

OK, so I will not debate that you get a hotter spark. If I have an open can of gasoline and I put a 600 degree open flame to it or a 10,000 degree plasma source, both will blow me to hell. If it is in a combustion chamber the same thing holds.

If the spark is too weak to jump the gap, it won't ignite the mixture and you will get a misfire but nobody has said an original ign setup is too weak to jump the gap

You state that you have an electronic ignition on your 356 and there are no problems, if there were problems before this might have fixed them, if there were no problems before then it proves nothing.

There are advantages to electronic ign, to be sure, like almost infinite point life and firing on low voltage. Like Splitfire spark plus that were all the rage until the FTC forced them to stop their unsubstantiated claims, I'd like to see proven results and not just "it's really great"