Hey Everyone!

I finally got my 72' road and went to my first cruise-in yesterday!

Anyway, I'm having problems getting her started and I'm wondering if it is on account of the ignition system. I just had the carb and everything tuned at the shop and she runs like a champ so I'm thinking it's a spark issue.

I bought an Accel Points Eliminator kit for the distributor and replaced the original points and condenser. As of now I have factory wires running to the coil and distributor. A friend of mine said that 72' ignition systems are dropped down to 9v? Is this true? If so, I keep seeing recommendations to go up to 12v on it to get more spark. Is this somethning I should do?

If I do end up running a new 12v wire to the coil, will I have to upgrade the coil from the stock replacement I have now?

Finally, I have the rally pack gauges, so will going 12v do any harm to the tach?

I tried to search around before posting, but couldn't find the answers.

Thanks again!!

 

As far as a stock points ignition system is concerned, yes, generally there is 12v to the distributor at startup (if I remember correctly), but drops to about 9v for running.

As far as upping the voltage, what did the Accel package give for instructions? It sure seems that if it is designed to replace stock point-style ignition systems, they'd clue you in on what wiring you need to do, including any need to replace the coil...

I don't believe gauges would be running on the same circuit as the distributor. But, I'm just talking out of my butt on this one - I don't actually know for certain. I can't see why gauges would be running on 9v, though.

 

You have to use the resistance wire if your using a stock coil. If you use an Accel coil you can eliminate the wire and run the full 12 volts.

Summit Racing has the instructions online with the product descriptions, comes in handy.

http://www.summitracing.com/

Straight from the horse's mouth. Cool that they refer to is as the eventual "destruction" not failure, if you don't use a resistor.

IMPORTANT: Before installing the ACCEL Points Eliminator Ignition System, make sure that your vehicle is equipped with an ignition ballast resistor (or loom
resistance wire) in the wire between the ignition switch and the coil (+) terminal. One easy way to find the ignition ballast resistor is to check the service
manual for your vehicle. You can test your stock ignition system voltage while the engine is at idle at the coil (+) terminal. If the measured voltage is within
1-volt of battery voltage, an ignition ballast resistor must be installed in the wire from the ignition switch. In general, all vehicles equipped with the Delco
point ignition were equipped with an ignition ballast resistor. If you find your vehicle is not equipped with an ignition ballast resistor, install an ACCEL Ignition
Ballast Resistor Part No. 150001 in series in the wire from the ignition switch. Failure to use an ignition ballast resistor will result in the eventual destruction
of the ACCEL Points Eliminator Ignition Module.
Exceptions: 1) Using one of ACCEL’s 4 specially matched coils eliminate the need for a ballast resistor or a resistance wire. These coils are: 140108, 8140
or 8140C SuperStock Canister Coils, or 140009 HD E-core SuperCoil.
2) If your vehicle is equipped with an ACCEL 275+/300+ Electronic Ignition Control or similar aftermarket ignition control, use the wiring specified
for the particular controller, along with its matching coil, such as ACCEL 's 140019 SuperCoil.