PerTronix Flame-Thrower Magnetic Trigger Billet Distributors Ignitor III - Manual

Billet DistriButor
installation instructions
LIMITED WARRANTY
PerTronix, Inc. warrants to the original Purchaser of its Flame-Thrower
billet distributor that the product shall be free from defects in material and
workmanship (normal wear and tear excluded) for a period of 12 months
from the date of purchase (30 months when Ignitor III is purchased sepa-
rately).
If within the period of the foregoing warranty PerTronix finds, after
inspection, that the product or any component thereof is defective, PerTronix
will, at its option, repair such products or component or replace them with
identical or similar parts PROVIDED that within such period Purchaser:
1. Promptly notifies PerTronix, in writing, of such defects.
2. Delivers the defective product or component to
PerTronix (Attn: Warranty) with proof of purchase date; and
3. Has installed and used the product in a normal and proper
manner, consistent with PerTronix printed instructions
THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN
LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE FURNISHING OF A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENT
OR COMPONENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE THE SOLE REMEDY OF
PURCHASER AND THE SOLE LIABILITY OF PerTronix WHETHER ON
WARRANTY, CONTRACT OR FOR NEGLIGENCE, AND IN NO EVENT
WILL PerTronix BE LIABLE FOR MONEY DAMAGES WHETHER DIRECT
OR CONSEQUENTIAL.
440 East Arrow Highway
San Dimas, CA 91773
909-599-5955
www.pertronix.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
See our website (www.pertronix.com) for latest product information. 1.
IMPORTANT: Read all instructions before starting installation.
WARNING!!! DO NOT USE WITH SOLID IGNITION WIRES.
2.
The Ignitor III used in our Flame-Thrower Billet distributor may not be 3.
compatible as a trigger for other electronic boxes.
The Ignitor III Rev-Limiter is preset at 5500 RPM's. The Rev-Limiter
4.
can be user set to a minimum 4000 and a maximum 9000 RPM's.
All external resistors must be removed to achieve optimum perfor-
5.
mance from the Ignitor III ignition system.
Flame-Thrower Billet distributors come with hardened steel distribu-
6.
tor gears which should not be used in applications with a billet cam-
shaft. Consult camshaft manufacturer for distributor gear compatibility
(Bronze gears are available).
Engines that have been decked, had significant cylinder head milling or
7.
oil pump modification should be checked for oil pump bind and proper
cam gear engagement prior to installation.
DISTRIBUTOR REMOVAL
Crank the engine until it is positioned at top dead center on a compres- 1.
sion stroke. The timing indicator should point to 0.
Remove the distributor cap and record the orientation of the rotor rela-
2.
tive to the distributor and the engine.
Disconnect the battery negative (-) cable.
3.
Disconnect all wires and hoses attached to the distributor. 4.
Remove the distributor hold down. 5.
Remove the distributor by lifting up on the distributor housing while 6.
slightly turning the rotor.
Check the distributor gear for signs of excess wear, or potential prob-
7.
lems.
DISTRIBUTOR INSTALLATION
Remove the Flame-Thrower billet distributor cap. 1.
Install the distributor gasket over the gear, and up to the distributor col- 2.
lar. Use a small amount of gasket adhesive to help hold the gasket in
place.
Lubricate the distributor gear and distributor shaft with clean engine oil.
3.
Set the distributor into the engine such that the rotor is pointing in the 4.
same direction relative to the engine as was the rotor in the removed
distributor. As the distributor drops down, the rotor will turn slightly as it
engages with the camshaft gear. Adjust for this rotation by turning the
rotor a few degrees prior to the gear engagement. Several attempts
COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. The engine will not start or runs rough. What is the problem?
A. Check all connections to insure that they are tight, and in the proper location. Visually check and
measure all grounds. Remove
paint and corrosion from around the distributor hold down bracket.
Make sure that the distributor red and black wire are connected properly. The Ignitor III in the Flame-
Thrower distributor will shut down if the wires are incorrectly attached. The Ignitor III is designed
to sense high current levels. Check all wires for shorts, correct polarity and that the ignition coil’s
primary resistance level is acceptable. For more detailed information log on to www.pertronix.com or
contact the technical department at (909) 599-5955.
Q. The vehicle will start, but then dies. After waiting, it starts. What is wrong?
A.
The Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower distributor may have a “Low Voltage Problem.” If the voltage
supplied to the red distributor wire is insufficient, the system may run for a period of time, and then
shut down as the voltage drops due to engine heat. The period may vary from minutes to hours
depending on available voltage and wiring condition.
Q. How do I check for a “Low Voltage Problem” or determine if I am getting adequate voltage?
A. To quickly test for a “Low Voltage Problem” or for adequate voltage (
Note: This is only a test and
is not intended as a permanent fix) attach a jumper wire from the positive battery terminal to the
positive terminal of the coil. Try to start the vehicle. If the vehicle starts, low voltage is present.
Note:
If the engine starts. The engine will not turn off unless the jumper wire is removed from the
positive battery terminal. Check connections and insure all external resistors have being removed.
For more detailed information on how to locate the source of the voltage drop log on to www.per-
tronix.com or contact the technical department at (909) 599-5955.
Q. How do I check my coil for primary resistance?
A. Remove all wires from the coil. Set the ohmmeter to the lowest scale. Attach one lead of the meter
to the positive coil terminal. Attach the other lead to the negative coil terminal.
The Ignitor III in the
Flame-Thrower distributor is compatible with coils having a resistance of 0.32 ohms or greater.
Q. May I modify the length of the wires?
A. Yes, you may cut the wires to any length your application requires. You may also add lengths of
wire if needed (20-gauge). Make sure that all wire splices are clean and the connections are tight.
Q. Will the Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower distributor work with aftermarket capacitive discharge
boxes?
A.
We recommend the Ignitor or Ignitor II as a trigger source for a capacitive discharge box.
For more detailed information log on to www.pertronix.com or contact the technical department at
(909) 599-5955.
Q. Will the electronic shift assist in an OMC boat work with the Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower dis-
tributor?
A.
The Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower distributor will work with all OMC stern-drive applications,
when our “diode fix” is used. If you’ve purchased a kit that didn’t include the “diode fix” diagram, call
our tech line.
Q. How can I receive additional help?
A. Check our web site for current trouble shooting tips and up to date technical information. Log on to
www.pertronix.com. You may also contact our tech line at (909-599-5955)
0019-008723 03-09
may be necessary to achieve the proper rotor position. The distributor
collar should sit completely flat on the intake manifold or block.
Turn the distributor housing so that the rotor aligns with the housing as
5.
it was aligned with the removed distributor.
Install the distributor hold down and tighten the hold down bolt slightly.
6.
Remove all paint and corrosion from the distributor hold down for prop-
er grounds.
Place the distributor cap onto the housing. Tighten the cap into place
7.
and install the spark plug wires in the proper firing order. The orienta-
tion sequence and locations of the spark plug wires are the same as
with the removed distributor cap. It is easiest to move one wire at a time
from the removed cap to the billet cap.
WIRING
The Flame-Thrower III billet distributor can be used in conjunction with most
ignition coils rated at 0.32 ohms or greater. For optimum performance we
recommend our Flame-Thrower III canister style or HC e-core coil.
Many vehicles came equipped with ballast resistors or resistance wires. To
achieve optimum performance we recommend removal of these compo-
nents. Determine the proper wire length, and attach the provided terminals.
(Use a wire crimping tool to achieve an adequate connection).
Attach the 1. Red wire to the coil positive terminal or a 12-volt ignition
source.
Attach the
2. Black wire to the coil negative terminal.
Check to insure correct polarity and that all connections are tight. 3.
Reconnect the battery negative cable. 4.