Electronic ignition or not?

Ok, the Prestolite distributor on my 450 needs points, rotor and condensor. I chased parts today and found them, but points, condensor, rotor and cap will run about $100. Not only that but I worry about how hard it'll be to get them next time I need them.
Someone suggested electronic ignition, but I have a few questions. What are the pros and cons of electronic ignition? Do I need a specific E/I system for the Prestolite distributor? What's the approximate cost of an E/I system?

Would it be easier to just find a good used IH distributor?

Thanks

I put the Petronix system in my 300 and helped another person put one in his 900 Ford. He stated how good the Ford now starts. I have the same comments. It fires off much faster and I don't have to clean or adjust points any more. My 300 sits for several months during the winter time and each year prior to that, I always had to get the point file out or whatever I could use to clean the points. They always corroded. The tractor sat from Nov. 1 to March 12 last winter and when I turned the key, the engine went over less than one turn and was running. Besides there have been so many comments on here about the poor quality of condensers being made today. I still have my points and related parts and if I want to make it original, I can. But the starting and running quality with the Pertronix system in my opinion definitely outweighs the use of points. The Ford also has some bearing problems in the distributor and the Petronix system basically eliminated this problem.

You will need a EI kit made for a Prestolite. One size does not fit all. I'm guessing it will cost you $150-200 for the kit.

Keep in mind the EI can burn out at anytime. Then you will need another one.

My dad put EI in his 1967 Ford Ranger. It made no difference on how easy it started or fuel use. The EI lasted about ten years
then burned out. In 1997, We were just getting ready to go get his auction purchase. He drove the pickup up to the shed shut it
off and when we were loaded and ready to go it wouldn't start! I was glad it did it at home. We put points back in his pickup
and off we went. Dad sold his pickup in 2014. Still had that same set of points in it. The points lasted longer than the EI.

I have a parade tractor with points. It get started maybe four times a year. The points have not been adjusted or touched in 12
years.My tractor starts right up. I have far more trouble with old gas which EI won't help.

In the 80's and 90's I knew an old farmer with an H with a Prestolite distributor. I use to buy points for it from NAPA and
CarQuest. Back then the Prestolite points were only a few dollars more than the IH points.

You can get IH distributors off Ebay. If you watch you can get them for $45.00.

If you live in a high moisture climate the EI would be better.

I'm leaning towards a used distributor...what should I look for in a used distributor? What other farmall tractors use the same distributor?

Anyone here have a good used one laying around?

" points, condensor, rotor and cap will run about $100"

WOW, better shop around a bit more, no reason to fund a supplier's preferment plan om just ONE parts purchase!

If you know of a source for prestolite parts that's cheaper I'd be happy to check them out.

If you know of a source for prestolite parts that's cheaper I'd be happy to check them out.

Have you tried here at YT
tuneup parts for your 450

Got the same story as 300Guy posts. We have a 900 Ford also that was having problems with starting. Went to the local O'rieley's for a set of points & condenser & no change. What I have learned is the these box part stores don't have a good quality part for these older tractors. I went to the local engine builder & they sold me a Standard brand points & condenser, seems to work alot better. However as a back up plan, I also purchased a Petronix as a back up. On a slow day, we decided to put the Petronix in & I am quite pleased with it for now. Not saying it will solve your problem though. Lots of luck!!!

(quoted from post at 07:12:48 07/28/16) Have you tried here at YT
tuneup parts for your 450

Click to expand...

Yes I did...as I said I'm stuck with a Prestolite distributor and YT has parts for the OEM IH one.
....FOREVER....Bob I need to appoligize to you. I had called a shop in Minnesota I'd bought from before...apparently THAT GUY wanted to retire off my parts. I called the local Oreillys and the points, condensor, and rotor is about $35. I'm going there now.

(quoted from post at 07:28:46 07/28/16) Got the same story as 300Guy posts. We have a 900 Ford also that was having problems with starting. Went to the local O'rieley's for a set of points & condenser & no change. What I have learned is the these box part stores don't have a good quality part for these older tractors. I went to the local engine builder & they sold me a Standard brand points & condenser, seems to work alot better. However as a back up plan, I also purchased a Petronix as a back up. On a slow day, we decided to put the Petronix in & I am quite pleased with it for now. Not saying it will solve your problem though. Lots of luck!!!

Click to expand...

I think the guy at oreillys said the parts are Borg/warner...we'll see.

(quoted from post at 21:18:05 07/27/16)
I'm leaning towards a used distributor...what should I look for in a used distributor? What other farmall tractors use the same distributor?

Anyone here have a good used one laying around?

Click to expand...

The "IH" distributer for the 450 is pretty much the same as what was used on ALL the letter series tractors, and should interchange readily. The BIG difference would be the advance springs, and what the total advance was set for, which can also be changed.

Things to check on a used one would be side to side, or up and down play in the shaft and how much wear and play there is in the advance mechanism.

If wanting a original type distributor for a 450 gasoline look at the machined base below the pipe plug with screwdriver slot at the place it looks like a O stamped in the one in picture. 450 one will have a N first then a letter for month and two numbers for year. Example ND57, N = 25 degree total crankshaft degree advance, D = April, 57 = 1957. Originals mostly have a serial number after the code.
Some people love the electronic ignition. But just had a call today from a fellow wanting me to change his 450 back to points, after it died. Tried to tell him it should be easy to change back without bringing it to me. From feedback I get less than 50 percent favors the electronic ignition. Some like me though and never used one on our tractor so my opinion doesn't count.

Most of the Petronix kits run around $100 and you use the original coil. It is not necessary to replace the coil with one of theirs. On the Petronix site it says a kiut for a IH Prestolite distributor is $110 to $122. But you definitely can get it for less away from the Pretronix site. The guy with the Ford paid $92.

http://pertronix.shptron.com/c/electronic-ignition_ignitor?pp=8&pg=12

I got the Pertronix kit from YT a couple years, installed it on my SA and have been very happy with it - starts great, runs a LOT better than the last points/condenser set put in just a year before.

I did keep the points as a back-up, because when (not if) the smoke leaks out and the electronics fail, there is no getting the smoke packed in (like they do on the circuit assembly line) to make them work again. Points, no matter how bad they get, can still be made to work for a while longer. Bad condensers, which are electronic devices also: not so much. Even the best of points with a failed condenser (capacitor) often enough won't allow an engine to start or run any better than a failed electronic ignition module.

MHO only. YMMV