I'm looking for opinions and history on this one.  Both systems do just about the same thing.  They totally eliminate your points without changing your stock distributor, and they use your car's stock coil.  How they go about it differs vastly.

Pertronix uses a hall-effect system, which is magnetic (kinda like a coil pickup).
Accel uses an infra-red diode with a shutter (basically a shutter-interrupted electric eye).

My question concerns longevity and failure.  Should I let the money speak for itself, or is the Pertronix system really worth twice as much?  I've always heard good things about these systems, but I would like to hear 'the other side'.

I'm shopping online at Amazon.com for my '59 Galaxie.
Pertronix 91281 Ignitor Ii Frd Dst 57-74 - Pertronix  $98.55
ACCEL 2020 Point Eliminator Kit - Accel  $48.07
- Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

This one here will work for you, I have Petronix in four of my cars and have had nothing but good luck with them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pertronix-Ignitor-1281-FORD-64-00-TO-YOUR-DOOR_W0QQitemZ110344220562QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item110344220562&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

I bought  the Accel kit on Ebay and it was easy to install,works fine and NO problems with it.If you are interested in one of these they are usually well priced on Ebay.Search Accel2020.The Pertronix system is available for less from several sources like Macs antique auto parts(who is also selling on Ebay) and Tee-Bird.com for example. 

  

Check Jegs or Summit for a Crane electronic conversion.  I like the built in rev limiter.

TC

You gotta have the right tools and know how to use 'em.

TC - Austin, Texas

I've got a Ford DURASPARK II adapted to mine.

The stator/reluctor detector parts inside the dizzy literally never fail (mine spent 165,000 miles in an F-150 before I put it in the Bird).

The controller units are available anywhere anytime - cheap.

The controller unit is divorced from the dizzy - so you can hide it in an easily serviced location. Plug in connection takes seconds.

Controller has a starting retard built right in (-6°) when you connect the white trigger wire to the starter solenoid.

Power transistor will handle a coil with 1.2 OHMs internal resistance and no ballast resistor.

Can be built with all Ford parts.

Also can use the Ford detector directly with an MSD red box and MSD patch cord. Or...............

Can operate with Ford detector and GM style 4-pin modules (that have extended dwell as RPM increases).

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

I have had a petronix in my bird for 9 years . Never an issue of any kind. I would go with the Ford Duraspark. They are available ,cheap, and easy to assemble and never any trouble. And its a Ford prduct.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Steve, you got me going now.  How is your distributor adapted?  Did you grind-off the octagon for the reluctor fitment?  Or, does someone sell a Duraspark II distributor for the Y-Block?

I really would like to stay with Ford products.  The day before yesterday, I called Pertronix in San Dimas, CA.  I got a canned voice-mail message saying they will get back.  So far, they never did.  Considering Pertronix's Customer Support, I will buy the Duraspark setup and feed my Y-Block spark plugs with real Ford power.

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

My way of thinking is when a manufacture stands behind and uses a product like ford with duraspark then I'm sold. I have used the pertronics and it works fine but the duraspark seems to be the best of the two I've used and way better than points.

-Gary Burnette-

I rebuilt a later Ford distributor, did the weights and springs and installed a Pertronix. I sent it to Mummert to install in my engine. He promptly removed the Pertronix and stuck a duraspark in it. The Duraspark has been in there for 4 or 5 years now, gone a best of 13.50 @ 106, and still works. The Pertronix is sitting on a shelf, I'll sell it cheap........any takers? 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

So is it "simply" or maybe Dave?    The cam has to be removed from the Autolite(?) style distributor - and grinding, as you suggested will get the hardend part out of the way so a machinist can finish the job.....

I've got a PDF file of the machining dimensions if you'll PM me an email address.

If you want a better "curve" in there this diagram shows a way to get a reduced mechanical advance if you have one with a bigger slot......

I've got a wiring schematic I used on the bird too if you want something to start with to base your own set-up.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona