Types of Ignitions

[attret00]

What are the differences in electrical, points, and transistorized ignitions. I am confused and showing my age(senile)?

[attret00]

Thanks D.... So you can't tell by looking--you have to open the distributor to see if it has points. If transistor is better is it hard to change over?

[atmmac]

You can be sure you have a points ignition when your distributor cap has a little window on it that slides up. This is to adjust your dwell. I honestly find points to be quite annoying so i switched my impala over to a Accel HEI distrubitor. It works awesome and the best part is that if you want tot go back to stock you just pull it out and put the old one in.

[attret00]

I have been hearing and reading about the reliability of transistorized ignitions. I was trying to figure out what I had and if others had changed over. My '64 is all stock 327-300 and I just want it to be as reliable as possible.

[396 RAT]

A true Ti Vette conversion would be way too expensive to convert.
Well over a grand, maybe closer to 2k.
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/66-71diagram.htm

http://www.tispecialty.com/index.html

They will also convert yours for $159.00, just another option.
http://www.tispecialty.com/breakerless/breakerless.htm

A better option may be a conversion unit to your existing dist.
Or MSD, or my favorite a Mallory Unilite.
I have the stock factory Ti on my 65, it works great!
But, I have to think you could have the same results for a fraction of the cost with a modern alternative.
Have had great results with a Unilite, and they are priced right.
(not all that modern though, have been out since the 70's)
You have several options.......

[JohnZ]

There are few things more reliable than a properly set up stock Delco points distributor, and it won't leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere when some invisible potted chunk of electronics dies on a Sunday. If you don't want to bother with changing points once every 10,000 miles, there are several electronic modules that are drop-in replacements which install in place of the points in your stock distributor (Breakerless SE, Pertronix, Crane, etc.) for $100 or so. Spending six or seven times that much for systems like MSD is a complete waste of money unless your engine is highly-modified.

[magicv8]

I put Pertronix solid state ignition unit in place of the points in my distributor 5-6 years ago. Every thing stays the same except for the removal of the points, condenser, and black wire lead to the points - which I bagged and carry in the car.

Crane offers a version of the solid state ignition that is easier to install (no ring hanging under the rotor) and it has an adjustable rev limiter. If my Pertronix ever dies, I will probably get a Crane unit - even though it costs a little more.