Pertronix and Vacuum Advance

pseftoncomcastnet

Am I right that the vacuum advance has no useful function with the Pertronix electronic ignition installed?

The question comes up through one of the strange issues that come up because my 1951 Commodore was essentially assembled from pieces of other Hudsons. My car has distributor IAT 4002 11D hooked up with a 1953 262 six. I just noticed that the breaker plate is immobile with the vacuum advance arm connected/ I also noticed that my vacuum advance unit has the numeral "8" inscribed ib the arm. I'm suspicious that I have a mismatched 8 cylinfer vacuum advance unit grafted onto my distributor, but am not planning to worry about it if the vacuum advance isn't necessary with the Pertronix.

Anyone have any guidance??

Peter Sefton
Alexandria, VA

Richard E.

You definitely need a working vacuum advance with Petronix! I had Petronix on my 262 in my '50C6 and we spent quite a bit of time finding a working vacuum advance for the distributer fitted with the Petronix. The car ran great with it. Recently I changed the polarity in my car from Pos ground to Neg ground so the Petronix unit is no longer compatible. I have the whole set-up mounted on a good distributor if anyone is interested and is Pos ground.

ski4life65

I think you have the wrong distributor too if you really have a 4002. The 4002 is for a 1950 pacemaker. I have vacuum advances, but not sure that will help.........I have distributors too

pseftoncomcastnet

Thanks all for these illuminating comments. Don, I had sent you a PM re: the vacuum advance but the correct distributor is probably what I require. A more basic question is verifying what engine is really in the car, as I have more or less taken it on faith that it is a 262, I took a deep breath and looked under the hood a few minutes ago and saw the number 300001 just under the hole for the distributor. It had "E238" above and "CWC" below, but I assume that these are casting marks. The chart makes it look like a 1954 engine, but I can't see how to relate this to an engine displacement, as the numbers were assigned in sequence regardless of what car they were placed in. Any suggestions on this will be most welcome! )

Peter S.

Ric West IN

Peter, The casting number applies to 1948-early 1949 262's E238 is the casting
date, May 23, 1948. What is the motor number, found on the right front face of the
block just ahead of the exhaust manifold. This should match your Ser# if original
to the car.
"Ric"

pseftoncomcastnet

Wow, I looked pretty hard there and didn't see one, but I just bought new batteries for my light and am going back out with some solvent and a brush to re-check. Will be back...

pseftoncomcastnet

You are batting 1.000, Ric 48284107, under a layer of what looking like baked beans and grease. So it is a '48! But is there a way to figure the displacement.

pseftoncomcastnet

I should add, the engine is a transplant. The car is a 1951 Commodore equipped with an 8.

pseftoncomcastnet

originally

53jetman

If the engine is a 1948 and a six cylinder, it could only be a 262

pseftoncomcastnet

thanks, that does solve one issue.

PS

pseftoncomcastnet

Don, sent you a PM.

Peter S.

ski4life65

Got it

SuperDave

Who has the best price on Hudson related Pertronix? am looking for a12 volt negative ground for an IAT4009B

pseftoncomcastnet

The best price I could find was from KMJ Performance at $117, but this may vary depending on the specific unit. It was a smooth and rapid transaction. Their website is

http://www.kmjent.com

Peter S.