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Expert
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Location: Scottsdale, AZ | I'm looking at ready-to-run (MSD's wording) and plug-and-play (Pertronix's wording) distributors for our 315 Dodge Poly. I've noticed that MSD distributors are a little more than $100 more expensive than the Pertronix units. I've heard nothing but great things about Pertronix and many members of our Hudson Club use their conversion kits. I don't know much about MSD, but never heard anything bad about them other than price. Can anyone explain the price difference? Are there any comments on whether one is better than the other? Thanks, Jay
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Posts: 2827
 
Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | Well I'll give you my experience. I have a pertronix ignition in my Plymouth and it was there when I bought her back. That was about 11,000 miles ago and I have had no problems.
I have recently got one of the customer cars going with an MSD Distributor, 6AL box, and Blaster coil. Overkill? Maybe, but the car will start cold with one pat of the gas and nothing else. Let her idle for about 10 seconds and she is ready to go, this is without using a manual choke that she has but doesn't seem to need.
I am yet to use one of the RTR MSD distributors but I have used MSD stuff for years and I have never had it let me down or do anything but exceed my expectations.
In short, When I re-build my car (she won't have the same engine) but she will have all MSD ignition. The pertronix in mine now again has worked fine but honestly other than not having to adjust or replace as much I can tell no difference in it from points. |
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Expert
Posts: 4533
Location: Ripon, WI | MSD stuff is always top notch... Usually will allow a wider range of voltage swings than others. I was using a Jacobs Ignition on my 59 for a while, and it gave me fits... Ended up swapping back to an msd..... |
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Mike, why did you take out the MSD in the first place?
They used to have MSD's displayed in speed shops, sitting right next to a "More conventional ignition"
Both units were set up with electrodes that had a pretty good gap between then, (Maybe a half inch or more)!
The conventional ignition would throw just one spark between the electrodes per cycle, whilst the MSD threw multiple sparks (A Ton of them, in fact). Pretty impressive----so one would expect such an ignition system to fire the engine with less than an "Idea fuel Mixture"--Too lean or too rich.
My 64 always starts on the first piston (doesn't even have a choke) but this is due to the Barry Grant Carb and not the Mopar Electronic Ignition on it.
My 59 has the same mopar ignition on it, but it has 2, Edelbrock Carbs and it does need a choke---even in Calif.
This would be a good test for the MSD?
Friends that I have that have the MSD's and love them, do carry a spare, as they have had MSD failures and you just cant go into any auto shop---(Particularly in "Tim Buck Two") and get a replacement, where as the Chrysler Module can be purchased in any auto parts store (In Stock), be it Kragen, Auto Zone---You name it? and I never have had one of those Chrysler units fail (Alto I do keep a spare in each car as the dern things are so inexpensive).
So it all comes down to performance vs dependability and the chance of getting stranded somewhere---which of course the Pertronoix could do to you too.
As you as well as others, I'm sure, will espouse the dependability of the MSD units, & perhaps due to the increased performance they are worth taking that chance? I may on my 59 but only with a backup as I drive that car everyday and a little hotter ignition wouldn't hurt on that 400 engine, especially with the dual carbs.
Thanks for the info!!!
Gary |
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Posts: 2827
Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | The main things that will kill an MSD is bad grounds, low voltage, to much heat, welding on the car without unhooking the battery (yep I did that one) or to much vibration. (Isolator block that come with 6AL's and mounting them in a solid place will help that)
I'd be willing to bet that the RTR MSD distributor is more dependabil than a stock one.
Edited by 58Donnie 2010-10-06 11:30 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1590
Location: Scottsdale, AZ | I was looking at Summit online and MSD has a "ready-to-run" Pro Billet Distributor that doesn't require a separate ignition box. I like this idea because it cleans up the engine compartment a bit-not having to have another control box and ballast resistor (that I understand is suggested with MSD units). That's why I liked the Petronix unit idea. Our Dodge will be a daily driver and a stock motor with a little kick ground into the cam and a new Edelbrock 600cfm 4bbl carb, but nothing serious. I like the "starts on the first piston" thing.
Has anyone used the "ready-to-run" billet distributors before? Or know someone who has?
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Expert
Posts: 1302
Location: Skaneateles,NY(summer)/Port St.Lucie,FL(winter) | On a Street car a Pertronix unit is about all you'd need...they operate flawlessly...or they don't operate. I have one in the 6V car in my Avatar (57 DeSoto Adventurer engine), and in the blown, roller cammed, DeSoto in my 32 Ford Roadster. Both engines run beautifully. For the cost, you just can't beat 'em...
Edited by 345 DeSoto 2010-10-07 7:28 AM
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Posts: 1590
Location: Scottsdale, AZ | Thanks everyone for the info. Tony, interesting to note on your blown Desoto, I plan on building a street blown motor with my '55 331 Hemi and nice to know the Pertronix has worked for you on that motor as well. I'll think on it a little and decide which way to go, though I tend to lean toward the Pertronix has I have heard so many good things about them and money has gotten real tight for us. This motor has cost about 3 times what it should have and I still have body and paint, interior and a tranny to fund. Aren't hot rods fun! lol |
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Posts: 89
| I'm looking to find a Pertronix ignitor to fit my standard DeSoto Adventuer 345 hemi with it's Autolite IBS - 4004 dual point distributor but from what I've found so far they don't list one for this distributor. 345 Desoto - does your engine have it's original dizzy and if so what Pertronix ignitor did you find to fit please?
Cheers
Mark |
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Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | I have pertronix as well. Get the coil for it too. it's twice the voltage and the car will start just as quick with the boosted coil that they have to match your unit. I believe both are good systems, however your car will look more original with the stealth Pertronix unit. The MSD system requires mounting and in my opinion detracts from your engine compartment, if you spent a lot of time making it nice.
57ADV call Pertronix they will recommend a unit over the phone. |
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Regular
Posts: 89
| Many thanks, for the advice - I'll call Pertronix today!
Cheers '57 ADV |
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Posts: 3775
Location: NorCal | jsrail - 2010-10-06 5:29 PM
I'm looking at ready-to-run (MSD's wording) and plug-and-play (Pertronix's wording) distributors for our 315 Dodge Poly.
I can't find a reference to a plug-and-play distributor for the 315 on the Pertronix website. Got a number for that distributor? |
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