ignition conversion on 55

["Quint Villanueva" <Qlv@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi

Petronix is a good company.  I visited their plant in San Dimas when I delivered my distributor to them to be converted to electronic. I have not yet installed it, however, I have a partner (read car guy) who installed a Petronix and it works like a charm on his 6 volt system, '49 Cadillac.  Petronix is a manufacturer, it does not do installations.  The Petronix  person I met with was very informed on distributors.  Petronix agreed to modify my distributor because they did not have a model for the one off my car.  It took a week and a half and it was ready.

I plan to install it in about 4 weeks.

 

                                                Quint

----- Original Message -----

From: Jan Harmonson

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:50 AM

Subject: Re: IML: ignition conversion on 55

HI

 

Was going through some old email and saw this. Did you ever do the Petronix? How does it work.

 

A follow up on my 6-12 system, the generator evidently is not able to charge one 1/2 of the battery and a few hours of revival is necessary periodically.

 

Jan

----- Original Message -----

From: Ted Blackington

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 9:00 AM

Subject: Re: IML: ignition conversion on 55

Thank you Randy. Steve Sweet also sent me a message about the Petronix conversion, and said that Petronix didn't actually sell them, but gave him an address of someone who did. I am waiting for more info on supplier. My 55 has a dual hard start problem=it must be primed through the carb if it sits more than a few days-and if more than a week or two, no spark!! The hassle of getting it running is discouraging as I am sure you know also. The 12 volt systems are much better., in desperation  I connected a 12 volt battery to it-big mistake! It spun like crazy and fired immediately, but fried the starter relay on the fender wall. Had to install a generic relay, now it starts in any gear, no safety switch. I have considered converting it to 12 volts, but the car has so many accessories hat it would be a major job. Then too, club members keep telling me that it started fine when new on the six volt system. Getting (and keeping) an good six volt battery is also a problem. Thanks so much for your reply. Good to talk with another of the few 55 owners.

 

                                                                                                                                TED BLACKINGTON

cebuisle@xxxxxxx

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Black55Imperial@xxxxxxx

Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 8:38 AM

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: Re: IML: ignition conversion on 55

 

Re; Ignition Conversion on '55 Imperial

There is a Petronix electronic ignition available.  A friend uses a variation of this on his 1957 Studebaker Hawk with great results. The Petronix unit hides in the distributor and is not noticeable for car shows My '55 is a big challenge to start if it has sat for a week without being driven.  My' '56 with 12 volt system starts wonderfully.  Though very incorrect, I had thought of converting the '55 to 12 volt for easier starting or trying the Petronix unit.

Randy Still
Black '55 Imperial Sedan
'56 Crown Imperial Limo