[DeTomaso] Ignition Question

[Asa Jay Laughton]

dumb questions.....

I thought in the case of electronic ignition, something like Petronix  
or Durspark only controls a -trigger- of the spark and the actual  
power of the spark is from the coil.

In a capacitive discharge system, the points have some affect on the  
amount of charge/discharge of the coil based on how much the condensor  
charges.  But in a Petronix unit does that still hold true?

Asa Jay
(ignition ignorant at this point)

Quoting Curt Hall <cuvee at sbcglobal.net>:

> I, like others are using the Pertronix unit. about $80/$90 For the   
> last 5/6 years without a problem! For me it's worked well. (I also   
> have a backup unit in the tool box) That said, my car is only used   
> on the street! For the track you may want more/hotter spark? I have   
> never used the MSD, but lots of folks use the MSD, and they work   
> great, like anything! when they work. Ask the users, how many have   
> had to replace it?
>  
> I like what Steve and others have had to say about availability, if   
> your stock in BFE! The Duraspark ll sounds like a good way to go and  
>  reasonably priced!
>  
> Like anything your mileage may or will vary.
> Good Luck
> Curt  
>
> --- On Tue, 4/27/10, steven.liebenow at att.net <steven.liebenow at att.net> wrote:
>
>
> From: steven.liebenow at att.net <steven.liebenow at att.net>
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Ignition Question
> To: "mailing list detomaso" <detomaso at realbig.com>
> Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 11:49 AM
>
>
> RE: the PI DuraSpark I info.....     
>
> While George did a great write up on this all, what (I believe) he   
> fails to realize or mention is that while if all of this info holds   
> true for DuraSpark I ignition systems, they were only used a very   
> short period of time.....    The DuraSpark II system is much more   
> widely used and available.  While he maintains that the red strain   
> relief modules have the 10 degree retard at start, this is the first  
>  that I have ever seen it......ever.....  It is more commonly held   
> that the BLUE strain relieve module is the one with the 10 degree   
> retard at start.
>
>> From  a Ford tech bulletin published in 1977, they write that "on   
>> the 1974-1975 models only (seven wire control box) the blue lead   
>> acts as a "buffer" to carry off any temporary voltage surges which   
>> might damage the module. This lead has been eliminated on 1976 and   
>> later models."
>
> In 1978 Ford introduced a "three connector" control box which added   
> in a new "Dual Mode Timing" ignition system, where either a   
> barometric pressure switch, or a vacuum switch to retard the timing   
> under heavy load and advance it under high vacuum conditions. When   
> retarded it reduces the possibility of detonation under WOT. Sounds   
> like a handy feature also!
>
> I still maintain that the availability of replacement parts while   
> stuck in EBFE will be better for DuraSpark parts than with anything   
> else but a set of points.... Worst case, a set of parts from a V6 or  
>  4 banger can be used to repair a V8 unit!  (Pickup doesn't care how  
>  many teeth are on the armature...it just senses that a tooth passes  
>  by and says "hey! Spark!")   Same with the control box......it may   
> indeed have some sort of unique curve for a non-V8, but in a pinch,   
> it would get you home!
>
> I'll try and bring some copies of this doc' to the meeting Thursday   
> night.  It is small enough that it would fit in a tool box, or even   
> glove box.  GREAT diagnosis section using simple tools such as a   
> volt meter and probes.....
>
> Steve
>
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