Pertronix Ignition Help

So I recently bought a Pertronix electronic ignition conversion and just got around to put it on today. Went in somewhat smoothly I had to drill out the hole in the module plate thing because the air gap between the module and the sleeve on the shaft was too close. Fired it up and was running a little crappy so I drove it gingerly around the block hoping it would maybe clear itself out. Pulled back into the driveway and it was running a bit better. Still stumbles a littler when you blip the throttle under load and I get a little white smoke when I rev it.

Here’s where the conundrum is. When I went to check the timing the mark is showing up way over on the passenger side of the pulley and not next to the marks on the block like it should. I didn’t check the timing beforehand like I should’ve.
What could cause this??

I didn’t move or turn or touch anything other than removing the points ignition and putting in the electronic ignition

 

No I was able to leave it in thankfully. The breaker plate comes off real easy

 

Sounds like the pickup for the timing light may be on the wrong ignition wire, or that a wire (or two) is misrouted.

 

It was on the first cylinder wire. I didn’t disconnect any of the plug wires so they should be in the right spot

 

You'll need to re-time to motor. The pickup for the Pertronix isn't necessarily in the same place as the points.

 

So how do I get the mark all the way back from the other side of the pulley?

 

Yeah, that doesn't really make sense. The Pertronix wouldn't move the timing that much. It's possible the ring on your harmonic damper has slipped or you don't have your timing light on cylinder #1.

You might want to pull the spark plug and get cylinder 1 to top dead center yo see where the timing mark is. It *should* be near 0.

 

Timing light is for sure on cylinder uno. So where do I go after confirming or denying that the timing mark is at zero when I get cylinder one to tdc?

Is it worth it to try another timing light on it?

 

I would start with the other suggestion to look at the timing marks. When you crank the engine with the #1 plug out, you can easily hear the compression stroke. Your timing marks should line up with the pointer on that stroke. If they do, set the timing mark on TDC on the compression stroke and then static time the distributor. Assuming you have the plug wires in the right order, turn the distributor so that the rotor points to just before the #1 spark plug wire post. Tighten it down and see if it will run.

 

No because the timing light can only flash where the pertronix tells it to. Mark the dist housing where the nr #1 plug wire is and bring the engine to #1 compression with timing mark on 0. Remove dist cap and the rotor should be aligned with the mark on the dist housing. If not then re-time the dist.

 

So I put the points back in and it ran better. The timing mark is still in the same spot though so I’m thinking that it slipped like you said. I still need to drive it to double check and dial it in with a vacuum gauge. How ling can I drive it with the balancer slipping like that?

 

Until it comes apart and goes through the radiator.

 

That’s not too encouraging

 

If the damper is failing, it should be replaced. Eventually the ring will come off.

It's not super cheap, but at $76.00, a replacement isn't too expensive (assuming you need a single grove pulley): https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-594-739?rrec=true

 

I will definitely do that before replacing to balancer to double check.

What’s leading me to think that it’s the balancer is that the mark was in the correct spot when we checked the timing last. Granted it was over a year ago

 

I need to correct my statement here. There is a timing light that has an adjustable knob that can change the location of the timing mark in the fly-wheel. Do you have this type or is your light just the standard type?

 

I just have the standard light

 

as in 180 degrees?...