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Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:39 am
by Harryb
a good upgarde for the ignition is to convert it to a GM hei by dumping the ballast and adding a GM lx301 module and a good 12 volt coil keeping the chrysler electronic distribtor

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:45 pm
by Spudweasel
I appreciate all the responses guys. Harryb I have also considered adding the hei module as well. However after looking into everything and cost I pulled the trigger on the Pertronixs system as my distributors needed replacement as well. I ordered through Summit and was able to get in on the last day of their $50 off offer so I basically got one coil for free. I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome of the upgrade.

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 8:04 pm
by Skipper3
FYI, Last week I "tried" to drop in a Pertronix D241801 that I had purchased back in February. It did NOT fit in my CCW rotation 318LM, it wouldn't drop through the thrust collar. I was under the impression that Pertronix solved this issue. Ordered an MSD unit and had the same problem. Long story short I am having one built by DUI distributors in Memphis. It's one of the HEI 1 wire models. Hopefully 3rd time is the charm.

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:13 pm
by Spudweasel
Skipper3, I read somewhere, someone recently had that same problem. Could have been you maybe not sure. I spoke with a tech guy with Pertronix on that and told him about the recent "non drop in". I asked if it was possible if someone could have bought a "new" unit but it was milled under the older demensions. He assured me that all problem had been corrected and I got the feeling from him that it was entirely possible. I feel unless they did not recall the units that were milled with the old demensions they could be still sitting on a parts shelf waiting to be shipped. I've decided I will just cross that bridge when I come to it. Fingers crossed I don't have the fitment issue but if so I will either return the offending unit or mill the collar to fit. By the way good choice on the DUI they have been around for a while and do good work. For me it was more about the overall cost. I realize you get what you pay for, however the DUI just didn't fit into my budget. Please keep us posted on how that unit works out for you. I wasn't able to really find anything on use of them in a Chrysler Marine application.

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:19 pm
by Skipper3
That was likely me posting on the FB forum. Yep I've talked to Pertronix and I likely purchased an old stock unit. The weird thing is they would not give me a definitive answer on whether or not the lastest version would fit a CCW,,,they were kind enough to offer a credit on another item. Unfortunately, what I really need is a distributor. Post an update if you would!

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:08 am
by Fastjeff
They are still doing that! Cripes.

Jeff

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 3:18 pm
by thepaintman
For what it's worth, I bought a pair of pertronics distributor and coils for my 318s. I won't go into how my original distributors met their demise...just pay attention when you hook up your old Judson sync. What happened under the cap qualified as welding. Im pretty sure there was only one rotation. There may have been a collar used on reverse engine but it came off old distributor. That's my best recollection.

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:15 am
by barkleydave
When I installed the test Pertronix units in 2012 we used the collar that was used on the OEM Prestolite on STB engine. No issues.

I had heard there was an early issue with the collar supplied with new units from Pertronix but it was corrected. Must have got one that was early.

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:57 am
by JohnO
Another dumb question sorry, does the pertronix just plug into existing electronic ignition system, e.g. Uses same module, still need the dreaded ballast resistor? The catalog showed igniter 1, 2, and 3 options. Any advice on which one to choose?

Re: 318 ignition system

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 3:25 pm
by Spudweasel
Hey sorry guys I never payed an update to this. Johno I went with the ignitor 2 coils. Both my distributors dropped right in with no issues. The only problem I had , and thanks to Carl for the suggestion, which Carl if you're reading this I'm still going to get by one of these days. But the issue was I had to by pass the entire original ignition system. Mine was equipped with a dual ballist resister. I initially just bypassed those by making a jumper wire and plugged it in place of the ballist. Going through the ignition control box only gave me one spark when I engaged the key and one when I shut off. By bypassing the entire system it was flawlessly. I'm running a plug gap of .42 and Accele plug wires. Now that I have the boat running better I'm shaking other thing loose haha. But it was a dang good upgrade money well spent. I ordered through Summit racing while they had a special going on and was able to save $100. And got free shipping and a couple stickers that I'm going to add to the boat for extra horse power! :mrgreen: oh one more thing I also went with the epoxy filled coil. The run a little hotter and cost just a bit more but are designed for high vibration applications might be over kill but I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea.