I can't find this anywhere and PerTronix doesn't seem to be in a hurry to make them.

https://pertronixbrands.com/products...or-delco-8-cyl

Anyone have any alternatives? I have a 1955 Olds S88. The distributor is a Delco 1110850.

 

When I had my 54, Pertronix left me on the side of the road twice. I wouldn't put one in a lawnmower. I eventually installed a 56 distributor which had external adjustment points. I bought NOS DelcoRemy points and condenser off ebay and was very satisfied. The points in the earlier distributors are a pain to adjust accurately.

 

Yes, without the window in the cap, an absolute pain. I rebuilt a '55 that was obviously out of the car, so that's my next best choice. Gone are the days of finding a Sun machine to check the curve and dwell.

 

Have you tried Speedway Motors, they show some available:
PerTronix 1181LS Delco Ignitor, Lobe Sensor, 8 Cylinder (speedwaymotors.com)

 

I actually bought the 56 distributor on ebay for $50 plus shipping. It was advertised as a core and was seized. I put it in a vise and started soaking it. Then I took a pipe wrench and broke it loose and started turning it until it turned freely. I put a new vacuum advance on it and it worked very well.

 

You don't need a "Sun Machine" to check dwell or timing. A simple dwell/tach and timing light fit in a tool box. Check dwell once a year, maybe adjust every two years. A timing light will give you total timing after scribing/painting marks on the harmonic balance at 0, 10, 20, 30 degrees.

 

I installed a Pertronix kit in my 64 98 years ago. It worked well, but new kits might be sourced overseas so I would be wary of the quality.

 

At one time I was a big believer in Pertronix. No more than we drive our cars (most of us anyway) a good quality set of points and condenser will last you for years. Maybe once a year run some sandpaper or a points file (if you have one or can find one) through the points and check the dwell. Keep a spare set in the glove box just in case. Points rarely go out but a condenser can, especially if it chineseum. You will not gain any power with a Pertronix unit.

 

This is spot on. The problem is that a bad condenser will cause the points to pit and burn prematurely. Ask me how I know.

I've found the new Accel points and condenser to be high quality, but I haven't had them in the car long enough to know for sure. We'll see in a few thousand miles.

 

Why mess with it?

People drove these cars every day with ignition points. Once a year they got cleaned and adjusted. Considering most people don’t daily drive their classics anymore, you could probably go years before have to touch them.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

 

https://breakerless.com/
I have been using this for so many years I don't remember. It works flawlessly. I am completely satisfied with this product. And I have had pertronix and others, like from Crane etc., I don't even remember. As far as I am concerned everything else can be blissfully forgotten. The breakerless system is ultimate as far as I am concerned.

 

Anybody have any experience with these guys?

https://www.breakerless.com/default

 

Wayyyy back in the 80's, when I built my 55, Pertronix wasn't around. A friend told me about using a Mopar electronic ignition system. I adapted it (not a real lot to do, either!), to the stock distributor, and except for replacing the ballast resistor once, I never had a problem. And I used all parts from JC Whitney, coast around 18$ IIRC!

 

I am talking out of the car. I have a dwell meter and timing light. Thanks.

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-rp20489

• Fits inside 57-74 Delco Window cap distributors

Good advise, but I don't think it will work on my original '55 Delco