I picked up one of the Pertronix 510C kits a few weeks ago (the one with the non-bluetooth ignition box + coil). Took my time to temporarily wire it up - first using the stock points distributor, then with a NOS Duraspark style I picked up on eBay. So far so good. (I have a Painless harness, so bypassing the ballast resistor is super easy to ensure the box receives full voltage.)
Now comes the time to decide where to permanently mount the ignition box. Speaking with a tech from Pertronix this afternoon, he said that unless you're going to be slopping through mud and water on a regular basis, a splash here and there won't hurt things. It's not that I don't believe him... But this is going to be a daily driver, and I'd prefer to think things through and do the job correctly the first time. I appreciate the fact that this is all made in the USA (part of what influenced my decision to purchase), but carefully opening the box and sliding out the circuit board... The quality looks fine, but it is all surface mount components with no weatherproofing (not epoxy potted, etc.):
I know WH sells them, and searching our forums I see posts from @camp9k and @jeffncs discussing their installs... I am curious whether there are reliability or longevity issues mounting on the fender (vertically or horizontally).
Other mounting ideas would include coming up with some sort of an enclosure for the box that would allow some ventilation and better splash protection... Or whether I should try to cram it somewhere into the cab (which I'd like to do in a manner to be able to see the LEDs when needed - on board where the stock speaker goes is one idea, in glove box, etc.) I'd like to avoid the glove box - it's small enough already, and will get smaller when I install AC later on.
One last note: I also wanted to compliment Travis, the Pertronix tech I spoke with. He might be on here - said he owns a '75, but running Duraspark in that rig (but made it clear he's run this box on some other of his project vehicles. Super nice guy, didn't treat me like a dummy (even though I'm guessing he's answered this question 1000 times before). Much appreciated.
Thanks!
Now comes the time to decide where to permanently mount the ignition box. Speaking with a tech from Pertronix this afternoon, he said that unless you're going to be slopping through mud and water on a regular basis, a splash here and there won't hurt things. It's not that I don't believe him... But this is going to be a daily driver, and I'd prefer to think things through and do the job correctly the first time. I appreciate the fact that this is all made in the USA (part of what influenced my decision to purchase), but carefully opening the box and sliding out the circuit board... The quality looks fine, but it is all surface mount components with no weatherproofing (not epoxy potted, etc.):
I know WH sells them, and searching our forums I see posts from @camp9k and @jeffncs discussing their installs... I am curious whether there are reliability or longevity issues mounting on the fender (vertically or horizontally).
Other mounting ideas would include coming up with some sort of an enclosure for the box that would allow some ventilation and better splash protection... Or whether I should try to cram it somewhere into the cab (which I'd like to do in a manner to be able to see the LEDs when needed - on board where the stock speaker goes is one idea, in glove box, etc.) I'd like to avoid the glove box - it's small enough already, and will get smaller when I install AC later on.
One last note: I also wanted to compliment Travis, the Pertronix tech I spoke with. He might be on here - said he owns a '75, but running Duraspark in that rig (but made it clear he's run this box on some other of his project vehicles. Super nice guy, didn't treat me like a dummy (even though I'm guessing he's answered this question 1000 times before). Much appreciated.
Thanks!
