Hi Greg,

1* I think it’s more of a question of efficiency in conjunction with a"better spark". yes they claim to have a better spark but i feel i really noticed the difference when i changed of over from the lucus distributorto the petronix unit.

2* I am not a 100% on this but leads do vary in quality and vary inresistance which is important ... i could be wrong "insert intelligent response here"

3*in regards to higher octane gas use it with or without the petronix the higher octane fuel has a higher stability under compression and a more complete burn and can be compressed to a higher degree without combusting in the absence of an ignition source

i have run my xj6 on 98octane since its rebuild and have never looked back

4*In my instance i had a lumpy idle and was a bit all over the place , wheni changed over it had resolved my issue

Love the thread. Another to do list for late. Saved on the reading list. This is best forum site I have found. Keep up the info. I just can't wait to get mine back now and go for a cruise. It's been to long.

Agreed. I added a Pertronix distributor replacement on my list of things to do for the last weekend this month, assuming amazon gets it here in time. I hope I don't run into too much troubles swapping it. Never had the distributor out on this car before. Chevys, many, many times. My Jag, no as of yet.
Dale

If you've done it on a Chevy, you can do it on a Jag ! Fundamentally the exact same process.

Cheers
DD

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Doug! I think I'll be able to handle it.
Couple of quick questions. Will my "very basic" inductive timing light that I have work for setting the timing? Or do I need to shop for an upgrade?
Also. Can I remove the ballast resistor that is on top of the coil? I seem to remember reading that it wasn't necessary.
Dale

good questions Dale, I'll be following this as I have the same questions. Dale, let us know how your install goes and how was the package through Amazon?


thanks geneo

Did you go with the D177600 or the D171618?

Two points from old guy:


No criticism as to the Pertronix system. A definite improvement in tech over an old point and condensor sytem.


But, replacing a 30 or more year old Lucas with any decent newer distributor is likely to show a difference.


So, a fair comparison might be replacing the well worn Lucas with a NOS unit, if that were possible.


Or, a rebuild of the Lucas. Shaft bushings, amplifer, wires, ignitor, cap and leads!!


Rather than leave the amp in place merely to cap the holes, remove t and install bolts to do that. Put the amp away for a rainy day. If I isn't already cooked, eventually it ill
And tidies the bay.


Just musing !


Carl

Hi ,

I certainly tried a rebuild of the lucus dizzy as the first choice with new leads and coil pack and in all fairness I wasn't satisfied with the end result, I certainly want to keep the old cat as original as possible hence every part I change I keep in the shed protected

But moving to the new tech certainly put a little more growl into the ***** cat

Carl, you make perfect sense. In my case, it's a 28 year old car with <30,000 miles, so the parts shouldn't be worn out. It has had little to no use for years, until now.

Pertronix: I am intrigued by the accounts of a less lumpy and closer to normal idle speed.

A stronger spark will help ignite the fuel faster, and at idle, that should help burn more efficiently, and you'll definietly notice it at idle.

How far back can this petronix kit go? MK2 3.8? or is it specific to just the XJ6 4.2litres?