newbie here

Ford860Guy · Feb 20, 2021

i got ford 800. looking at this site forparts. is it wurth the money to convert to electronic ignition?

Absent Minded Farmer · Feb 20, 2021

Depends on your intent. If you're going to be working the tractor, it would most likely be helpful. If it's a display piece, might not be worth the effort & cash.

Mike

MarkB_MI · Feb 20, 2021

The Pertronix ignition is an inexpensive upgrade that I highly recommend for any working tractor. In my experiece, quality ignition points and condensers are pretty much unobtainable these days, and the one you can find will give you no end of trouble.

If you are going to install a Pertronix unit, make sure you have resistor (aka suppression) spark plug wires. Many of the aftermarket wires are solid copper and will cause premature failure of the electronic ignition module.

Two Dogs · Feb 20, 2021

I changed my 35 Ferguson over to Petronix many, many moons ago. Easy to do and never another problem with points in years. But I kept the old parts just in case. TDF

showcrop · Feb 20, 2021

I have converted a 960 and an old Yale forklift to Pertronix. There is a recommendation frequently made here about converting, which is get it running properly with the points first. That way you don't get into a difficult situation with more unknowns to sort out.

grandpa Love · Feb 20, 2021

We have a Ford 640,851,950, 960 and 951 all have points. All get worked hard. I wouldn't swap. And until 4 years ago when we bought our first Ford I had never heard of points.

Mike Groom · Feb 20, 2021

I second what Mark said,I changed everything I have over to Pertronix over 20 years ago, I had trouble with one and it was because I didn't change to the new wires from the copper and it took out the unit.It did last for several years before it did it though.

redoakroach · Feb 20, 2021

It's worth the cost in my opinion. I changed my 860 over a few years ago. The tractor idles much better with the Pertronix unit.

Determined · Feb 20, 2021

(quoted from post at 01:30:23 02/20/21) i got ford 800. looking at this site forparts. is it wurth the money to convert to electronic ignition?

First off Welcome to the site.

I have nothing against the electronic conversions, all of my older vehicles (15+) that came with points still have them.

If you are knowledgeable and comfortable working on point style systems I would leave things the way they are.

If you are one of the many out there who hate messing with points then go with the electronic.

If it is on a vehicle you need to depend on then having a spare module on hand would be good insurance.

Myself I have enough spare points, condensers, coils etc on hand so I have no problem keeping my old junk running with them.

A conversion will not magically give you an extra 25 HP or correct any running issues related to worn distributor gears, bushings, cams , seized advance weights, bad plugs bad wires, bad cap or rotor etc so don't be disappointed if a conversion does not improve how your engine runs.

Steve@Advance · Feb 20, 2021

Yes, with the poor quality of today's aftermarket ignition components, it is well worth it.

It will also work well with a less than perfect distributor, but the centrifugal advance needs to work.

Also no need for any kind of "Flame Thrower" coil. The stock coil is sufficient, but it must be the correct coil or coil/resistor combination. Get it wrong and it will have weak spark or burn out the new ignition.

Oregon Tractor Jack · Feb 20, 2021

Things to remember with a Petronix:

1. Don't use solid core ignition wires. You need to use shielded suppressive wiring like you have in a car. The radio interference generated by non shielded ignition wiring will mess up the Petronix unit.

2. Don't ever leave the ignition on when the tractor is not running, that will burn out a sending unit. If you shut off the fuel to the tractor and let the carb run dry this is important. I burned one up that way.

3. As stated, buy the flame thrower coil. I believe it is a 3 ohm and that is what you need for a Petronix. Plus it does have a little more uumph than a standard coil.

Welcome to the forums,

OTJ

DeltaSteve · Feb 20, 2021

IMHO,not worth the money.Maybe if you use it every day. But definitly not on an old tractor that only runs a few hours a year. Those old tractors have satisfactorly running reliably for 80 plus years on points.I wouldn't waste my money.

rustred · Feb 20, 2021

your tractor... so your pick, but when it stops at the other end of the farm you are walking home with electronic stuff. i will take points any day if i was the only one in the bush in isolation . just like k.o.o.

MarkB_MI · Feb 21, 2021

So there you have it. Roughly half say yes and half say no. A pretty typical set of YT responses!

newbie here

Ford860Guy

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Absent Minded Farmer

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MarkB_MI

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Two Dogs

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showcrop

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grandpa Love

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Mike Groom

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redoakroach

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Determined

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Steve@Advance

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Oregon Tractor Jack

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DeltaSteve

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rustred

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MarkB_MI

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