I’m trying to install a Pertronix Ignitor in my XK120 DHC. It seems
that I
will need to remove the pivot pin where the points normally mount. Is
this
correct? Have any of you listers done this with a Lucas DVX6A
distributor?
Also, the mounting screw for the points don’t seem to line up with the
LU-168P12
pick up. Bummer so far.
John Brady
678462
1954 XK120 DHC
Bedford, MA
“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
What was wrong the original “Prince of Darkness” setup?
It ran beautifully as I recall!
Hope it’s completed by 2 JUN 06.
John have a wonderful Christmas with your family!
Mad Ludwig (no help at all)
John,
You need to see whether your car and ignition set are positive or negative
ground. I had the same problem on my Mark V. I think the negative ground can
be installed without removing the pin if your car is negative ground.
Frank Morse
In reply to a message from jbrady5282@aol.com sent Tue 20 Dec 2005:
John,
I had a similar problem when I tried to install a Petronix in my
120. I called them directly and sent pictures and a chap in
customer service said I needed a different adapter plate on their
unit. We swaped units and the one they send dropped right in.
Don’t know if your situation is the same but it might be worth a
call.
Good luck,
Gary–
The original message included these comments:
I’m trying to install a Pertronix Ignitor in my XK120 DHC. It seems
that I
will need to remove the pivot pin where the points normally mount. Is
–
XK120DHC,MK IX, XJ40 VDP,MGTD
Yardley, PA, United States
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Called Pertronix yesterday and got some technical help. Seems that the
electronic switch part mounts 180 degrees from where the points are
mounted. It fits on the points plate in this position and one of the
points screws can be used to hold it onto the plate. The wire
grounding the points plate to the distributor base is also free and
clears the electronic module, allowing normal rotation from the vacuum
advance. So, it appears all is okay and I don’t have to bugger off the
points pivot pin. In fact, the pin goes through a hole in the module
mount and is used to locate the unit correctly. It actually fits
nicely, centering itself well and with good clearance to the magnet
ring.
Although the module is 180 degrees from where the points were located
in the distrubutor, the rotor is in the same place and this determines
which plug fires, getting its exact signal from the magnet ring that
slips over the distributor cam. So all is well. Hope to try it out
next week. Will report progress then.
Thanks to you listers that responded with help.
John Brady
678462
54 XK120 DHC
Bedford, MA
There is one thing that must be done when fitting Pertronix units to 120’s
and 140’s. With some rotor and cap combinations the fitting of the Mag.
sleeve to the Dist. cam moves the rotor to high into the cap and the rotor
will rub on the Dist. cap center part were the center carbon brush is.
This friction causes the rotor to overheat and the rotor will fail by
allowing the spark to track inside the rotor to the shaft which means no
go go! It can be checked by looking at the rotor contact were the dist cap
center contact and rotor make contact. If the rub mark is bigger than the
center carbon brush dia. then it is rubbing. I normally then take about
1mm of the bottom of the rotor with a belt sander which solves the
problem. This is a must to check it has happened to me!
The other thing to keep in mind is that a coil that is older than 10 years
or so should not be used with the Pertronix units as it makes the coil
“work harder” usually putting he death nail into that old coil and once
again …no go go! Original 120 coils won’t last long at all, I normally
rebuild the original coils to higher specs if someone wants to keep the
original look.
Aaron Couper
Couper’s Classic Cars
314 Rt 153
West Pawlet
Vermont 05775
(802) 645 9100
In reply to a message from oldcars sent Fri 23 Dec 2005:
Hi Aaron
Do you (or anyone else) happen to know where I may obtain a spare
center carbon brush for an XK140 distributor cap ? I’m trying to
avoid buying a complete distributor cap, when all I need is the
little carbon brush.
Thanks in advance.–
The original message included these comments:
center contact and rotor make contact. If the rub mark is bigger than the
–
Gary Grant S818919DN
Ottawa, Canada
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