Super A electronic ignition - should I make the change?

I was looking at Youtube vids of the Pertronix EI conversion kits. They look easy to install and supposedly give much more reliable idling performance and are less likely to fail than the points I'm running now.

My tractor has what looks like the original 1952 distributor on it, it's to faded white from age and the original IH cabes run from it, though they look really tired.

I've got a tune-up kit on the way, but if I'm going to pull the distributor apart for a rebuild anyhow, should I put in EI?

Is it a worthwhile upgrade? Any good reasons not to upgrade?

I'm sticking with 6v, if that matters.

You will most likely get a wide range of opinions on that topic. I would put solid state in for one reason if it sits outside and you live in a humid /
wet climate. You will no longer have to fiddle with touching up points, blowing them dry etc. if your machine sits in a garage the points should
not be an issue. As for installing they are far easier then installing points, if that's really that hard to begin with.


Andrew

Points require service once a year or so, (more if the tractor sees intermittent use in a humid climate. Electronic ignition does not. Points can be fixed with a file or new, electronic failure is permanent. (I go for the electronic). Jim

On a 6 volt system the battery voltage when cranking will drop & still fire a coil but may be too low for EI. Especially on a cold winter start.

0gauge wires and a battery that will crank it usually let them start either way. 30wt oil is the biggest issue. Jim

One of the reasons I'm considering jumping to EI is it seems like the point I get now are pretty crappy.

I honestly haven't had a ton to trouble with points overall though. I might try it on my A when I get it back together. My SM runs like a top on points I probably wont mess with what's working.

K

What do they need i have Cubs I use in the garden and a B that mows several acres weekley another B used with loader and i havent done anything to points in yrs last problem was 5yrs ago when new condenser in a dist failed they all set in unheated shop with dirt floor two start in winter for snow removal so i just dont se any reason to mess with the points mag on mowing B hasnt been touched in over 10yrs still starts and runs so i dont mess with it.

I have points in all but 2 of the 7 vehicles i own, not counting tractors, of which only one is electronic. The great number of time i have read on this site "it ran a month ago and has no spark" and all stories like that, tell me that the change over is an OK thing to do. Jim

I have done the electronic thing on three M Farmalls and I love it. Someone was talking about cranking slower, but with a good coil and
synthetic motor oil you should be fine. I am about five years into the electronic ignition upgrade and have had no problems. Ellis

I switched 2 IH 140's and a cub to Electronic ignition over 5 yrs ago. I had to replace one but I keep a spare on hand. Glad I did. Got tired of fiddling with points and condensers.

The way some have their systems cobbled up its no wonder. Ive bought too many 'USED' tractors and the way some have them rigged no wonder they always have problems poor cables cobbled wiring ect. Its been my experience having them like the way they were built and good cables batts ect they just last and last.

Gene is right - there are far too many hack-job "make do fixes" on tractors that seem to eventually become someone elses' problem. Undersized replacement battery cables on 6v systems are probably one of the worst.

I look at it this way: If IH was making a gas engine tractor like the letter series today, from a cost, reliability and efficiency perspective, would it have points, or an electronic ignition? Generator, or alternator? Would it be 6v, or 12? Would it have incandescent lights, or halogen, or LED? Shoot, they'd have EFI rather than carburators (like David G's MH), and fully synchronized transmissions.

These sorts of changes (done in a professional way) are functional upgrades that manufacturers have typically included as the technology has become available and proven. Doing these sorts of things to your tractor to improve it's reliability and utility are a plus.

When my SA was 6v and had points and both systems worked well, I left them alone. When they started to fail (voltage regulator failed open & points pitting badly), I saw it as a good time to go to 12V, alternator, and electronic ignition. I'm glad I did - it starts better, runs batter, and can keep up with front, rear and flashing lights on a snowy night, even at an idle. My 'new' H is already 12v (but cobbled - it's on the fix list), and when it needs points replaced, it's getting electronic too.

one of my tractors are still 6 volt with points, some are 12 volt with petronix-- as others have stated I leave them alone until I start to have problems. Then change to 12 volt and electronic ignition. In the end as others have said the original manufactures up grade products all the time.

Cubs started out in 1947 with no hydraulics, points, no lights, generator with a cut out

Cubs by 1979 had alternators and other upgrades to make them more user friendly-- I am sure if they were still making them they would have electronic ignition.

I installed petronix in my 240 over 20 years ago--its my go to tractor for most everything-- distributor cap has not been off since I switched.

They sell the EFI for 6 volt systems.

I'm going to try EFI on a 400 I have at a farm I only use to load hay in the summer, one week. On my other tractors, I cant remember the last time I had to mess with points, several years, and everything sits outside.

one of my tractors are still 6 volt with points, some are 12 volt with petronix-- as others have stated I leave them alone until I start to have problems. Then change to 12 volt and electronic ignition. In the end as others have said the original manufactures up grade products all the time.

Cubs started out in 1947 with no hydraulics, points, no lights, generator with a cut out

Cubs by 1979 had alternators and other upgrades to make them more user friendly-- I am sure if they were still making them they would have electronic ignition.

I installed petronix in my 240 over 20 years ago--its my go to tractor for most everything-- distributor cap has not been off since I switched.