1956 6v or 12v petronix ignition | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models

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1956 6v or 12v petronix ignition

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stuff101
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Stuff101

Stuff101

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Thunderbird Year
1956
I have I believe an early Pretonix points system (see photo). Is this. a 6 volt or 12 volt ignition system? I have tried researching the Petronix for a 6 volt system and cannot find any reference to such. If this is a 12 volt system then I believe it is not connected properly. The red lead goes to the + side of the Coil which is fed through a resistor and the voltage is 5.4 volts at that point. Should this lead be connected to a 12 volt source and the black lead connected to a good ground?
I did not get any paperwork with the car when I picked it up.
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That is a 12 volt system set up. It looks like it is wired correctly but the wiring could uses some insulation. You can enter that number from the electronic unit and it will bring up some links to the installation sheet. A handy thing to keep.
 
biddle said:
Related thread- https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...ignition-for-ford-thunderbird-1955-1974.9657/
Click to expand...
Only one problem! it's still wired through the , (voltage reducing to save points system, ballast resister) and the electronic system needs 12 volts! not the resister reduced 6 volts to the coil.You defeat purpose of electronic ignition by reducing spark voltage. An electronic ignition gives you a 12 volt spark, improving mileage, power, and less polution. Resister will burn up the elctronic system if not altered by either removing the resister, or if you want to maintain original stock appearance , open up the litle resister and run a wire directly bypassing the internal coils!! jump from terminal a to terminal b , direct...Watch your performance and mileage soar!! You can thank me with a chocolate chip cookie, but without the tariffs!!
 
Pertronix doesn't make a 6 volt system off the shelf and you have a 12 volt setup so it seems likely you have a 12v Pertronix setup. You are correct that it should not be running on the ballast output voltage. Is your car running OK? There have been others who wound up running the Pertronix off the ballast like yours is and they seemed to function OK. I would rewire it properly. A lot of electronic stuff that runs off a 12 volt input actually run on lower voltage internally.
 
Pertronix does make a 6 volt, positive ground unit for Ford vehicles. I have one on my 1955 Thunderbird. There is nothing wrong with the original points and condenser system except the quality of the parts had diminished. I generally like the ease of the system in that it is set and forget.
 
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