So my convertible cut out on me again last night while driving with no warning abd then had no spark. Lat time this happened I changed the coil and things were good until last night.

I took the mallory unit out that was in the car and am putting in the stock distributor with the pertronix unit but have questions. Is the vacuum advance on the left or right side or does it matter? Where does the vaccum go?Right now I marked where the old cap was facing to get the cap on the stock disty in but pulled all the wires and am left with just a mark on the firewall.. smart I know. So where is the best place to start

Thanks

 

My advance can is on the right side and my hose connected to manifold vacuum.
Here is a picture of mine, firewall is covered with paper.

 

You want to install the distributor so as to leave enough room for you to adjust your timing without the advance can hitting the firewall or the intake. Turn your motor so that #1 cylinder is at tdc and then wire your spark plug wires from there. When I installed mine, the can was between the 9 and 10 oclock position when facing the firewall.

 

Thanks guys, I had the can on the drivers side as it look more natural that way. I will tee that into vacuum off of the manifold. I have some pictures of the Pertronix unit I installed but it has been sitting for a few years and need to know if it looks right

By the way, after I had it towed home and it sat for the day it started right up. Thats why I pulled the distributor and want to relocate the coil off the manifold. With the AC, external regulator and the vacuum can not much room. Any suggestions?

 

Sorry to hear about the bad luck and performance. I converted my 72 to a GM style HEI about 4 years ago and am not really happy with its performance. Last time I took the car in for adjustment they suggested the Pertronix unit to install in my stock Dist. (Also want the original dist back in so I can install my factory dual snorkel air cleaner without altering the back of it).

Did your pertronix unit come with instructions on the conversion from HEI to this unit? How difficult was the conversion? Looks like it could actually be done while the dist is still in the car. How did it change your timing? Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Doing a rebuild on the front brakes this week, so no real rush.

 

Hello Allan, It can be installed while the disty is in and is the reccomended method for install. I have not set the timming or anything as I am at step one at this point with all plug wires, coil and disty out of the car. I will need to find TDC and go from there tonight.

Quick question on the wires to the coil... The resistance wire paired with the second wire go to the + side of the coil correct? Tach on - correct? What about the condensor? wire? The pertronix is just 2 wires one to each side of the coil correct?

Thanks,

 

Also, stupid question maybe, but on the cap does it matter what terminal you use for the #1 plug as long as they are in the correct firing order? Hard to tell in the manual what terminal to use as #1 but do not think it matters.... correct me if I'm wrong please

 

open this link and go to page 12-64 for the wiring diagram you're looking for. The wires sets on your car are sized for this configuration, so it does matter where you start. This came from the 71 Chassis service manual on the Wild About Cars website. Consider joining - it's free and there's good info. http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/members/AardvarkPublisherAttachments/9990350771711/1971_OLDSMOBILE_Service_Manual_Section_12C.pdf

You did mark the dist and block when you took out the dist?
re: coil/condensor. The pertronix unit doesn't look like it uses a condensor. I would hook it up as per the way your HEI was, unless the instructions say different. I don't want to give electrical advice because I'm not good with it. Suggest you contact pertronix and get free advice from them - after all it's their product and they should know how to explain what you need.