CAST DiSTribuTor
inSTAllATion inSTruCTionS
LIMITED WARRANTY
PerTronix, Inc. warrants to the original Purchaser of its Flame-Thrower
cast distributor that the product shall be free from defects in material and
workmanship (normal wear and tear excluded) for a period of 12 months
from the date of purchase (30 months when Ignitor III is purchased separately).
If within the period of the foregoing warranty PerTronix finds, after
inspection, that the product or any component thereof is defective, PerTronix
will, at its option, repair such products or component or replace them with
identical or similar parts PROVIDED that within such period Purchaser:
1. Promptly notifies PerTronix, in writing, of such defects.
2. Delivers the defective product or component to
PerTronix (Attn: Warranty) with proof of purchase date; and
3. Has installed and used the product in a normal and proper
manner, consistent with PerTronix printed instructions
THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN
LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE FURNISHING OF A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENT
OR COMPONENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE THE SOLE REMEDY OF
PURCHASER AND THE SOLE LIABILITY OF PerTronix WHETHER ON
WARRANTY, CONTRACT OR FOR NEGLIGENCE, AND IN NO EVENT
WILL PerTronix BE LIABLE FOR MONEY DAMAGES WHETHER DIRECT
OR CONSEQUENTIAL.
440 East Arrow Highway
San Dimas, CA 91773
909-599-5955
www.pertronix.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
See our website (www.pertronix.com) for latest product information. 1.
IMPORTANT: Read all instructions before starting installation.
WARNING!!! DO NOT USE WITH SOLID IGNITION WIRES. 2.
The Ignitor III used in our Flame-Thrower Cast distributor may not be 3.
compatible as a trigger for other electronic boxes.
The Ignitor III Rev-Limiter is preset at 5500 RPM’s. The Rev-Limiter 4.
can be user set to a minimum 4000 and a maximum 9000 RPM’s.
All external resistors must be removed to achieve optimum
5.
performance from the Ignitor III ignition system.
Flame-Thrower Cast distributors come with hardened steel distributor 6.
gears which should not be used in applications with a billet camshaft.
Consult camshaft manufacturer for distributor gear compatibility.
Engines that have been decked, had significant cylinder head milling or 7.
oil pump modification should be checked for oil pump bind and proper
cam gear engagement prior to installation.
DISTRIBUTOR REMOVAL
Crank the engine until it is positioned at top dead center on a 1.
compression stroke. The timing indicator should point to 0.
Remove the distributor cap, and make sure that the rotor is pointing 2.
towards the first cylinder in the firing order.
Disconnect the battery negative (-) cable.3.
Disconnect all wires and hoses attached to the distributor. 4.
Remove the distributor hold down.5.
Remove the distributor by lifting up on the distributor housing while 6.
slightly turning the rotor.
Check the distributor gear for signs of excess wear, or potential 7.
problems.
COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. The engine will not start or runs rough. What is the problem?
A. Check all connections to insure that they are tight, and in the proper location. Visually
check and measure all grounds. Remove
paint and corrosion from around the distributor
hold down bracket.
Make sure that the distributor red and black wire are connected prop-
erly.
The Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower distributor will shut down if the wires are incorrectly attached. The Ignitor III is designed to sense high current levels. Check all wires for
shorts, correct polarity and that the ignition coil’s primary resistance level is acceptable.
For more detailed information log on to www.pertronix.com or contact the technical
department at (909) 547-9058.
Q. The vehicle will start, but then dies. After waiting, it starts. What is wrong?
A.
The Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower distributor
may have a “Low Voltage Problem.” If the
voltage supplied to the red
distributor
wire is insufficient, the system may run for a period
of time, and then shut down as the voltage drops due to engine heat. The period may vary
from minutes to hours depending on available voltage and wiring condition.
Q. How do I check for a “Low Voltage Problem” or determine if I am getting adequate voltage?
A. To quickly test for a “Low Voltage Problem” or for adequate voltage (Note: This is only
a test and is not intended as a permanent fix) attach a jumper wire from the positive
battery terminal to the positive terminal of the coil. Try to start the vehicle. If the vehicle
starts, low voltage is present. Note: If the engine starts. The engine will not turn off
unless the jumper wire is removed from the positive battery terminal. Check connections and insure all external resistors have being removed. For more detailed information
on how to locate the source of the voltage drop log on to www.pertronix.com or contact
the technical department at (909) 547-9058.
Q. How do I check my coil for primary resistance?
A. Remove all wires from the coil. Set the ohmmeter to the lowest scale. Attach one
lead of the meter to the positive coil terminal. Attach the other lead to the negative coil
terminal.
The Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower distributor
is compatible with coils having a
resistance of 0.32 ohms or greater.
Q. May I modify the length of the wires?
A. Yes, you may cut the wires to any length your application requires. You may also add
lengths of wire if needed (20-gauge). Make sure that all wire splices are clean and the
connections are tight.
Q. Will the
Ignitor III in the Flame-Thrower distributor
work with after market capacitive
discharge boxes?
A. We recommend the Ignitor or Ignitor II as a trigger source for a capacitive dis-
charge box.
For more detailed information log on to www.pertronix.com or contact the
technical department at (909) 547-9058.
Q. How can I receive additional help?
A. Check our web site for current trouble shooting tips and up to date technical informa-
tion. Log on to www.pertronix.com. You may also contact our tech line at (909) 547-9058.
0017-004477 09-11
Switch
Red Wire
Jumper Wire
Black Wire (Open)
DISTRIBUTOR INSTALLATION
Remove the Flame-Thrower Cast distributor cap.1.
Install the distributor gasket over the gear, and up to the distributor 2.
collar. Use a small amount of gasket adhesive to help hold the gasket
in place.
Lubricate the distributor gear and distributor shaft with clean engine 3.
oil.
Turn the shaft so that when the distributor is placed into the engine, 4.
the rotor position matches that of the original distributor. As the
distributor drops down, the rotor will turn slightly as it engages with
the camshaft gear. Adjust for this rotation by turning the rotor a few
degrees prior to the gear engagement. Several attempts may be
necessary to achieve the proper rotor position. The distributor collar
should sit completely flat on the intake manifold or block.
Place the distributor cap onto the housing. 5.
Turn the housing so that the terminal, that represents the first 6.
cylinder in the firing order, lines up with the rotor.
Install the distributor hold down and tighten the hold down bolt 7.
slightly. Insure that the distributor is grounded properly thru the hold
down bracket. Once the ignition timing is adjusted the hold down bolt
should be tightened completely.
Tighten the cap into place and install the spark plug wires in the 8.
proper firing order.
Locate the vacuum hose that was previously attached to the vacuum 9.
advance canister. This hose should originate at a ported vacuum
source.
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Start the engine and set the initial timing.1.
For Vacuum advance distributors: 2. Locate the vacuum hose that was
previously attached to the vacuum advance canister. This hose should
originate at a ported vacuum source. Temporarily plug the end of the
vacuum hose at the ported end of the hose. Set the timing per the
OEM specifications. Securely tighten the hold down bolt. Remove the
vacuum plug and reattach hose to the vacuum canister.
WIRING
The Flame-Thrower III cast distributor can be used in conjunction with most
ignition coils rated at 0.32 ohms or greater. For optimum performance we
recommend our Flame-Thrower III canister style or HC e-core coil.
Many vehicles came equipped with ballast resistors or resistance wires. To
achieve optimum performance we recommend removal of these components. Determine the proper wire length, and attach the provided terminals.
(Use a wire crimping tool to achieve an adequate connection).
Attach the 1. Red wire to the coil positive terminal or a 12-volt ignition
source.
Attach the 2. Black wire to the coil negative terminal.
Check to insure correct polarity and that all connections are tight.3.
Reconnect the battery negative cable.4.
+
-
To Ignition
REV-LIMITER SPECIFICATIONS
Settings RPM’S
Minimum 4000
Maximum 9000
Factory Setting 5500
REV-LIMITER SETTING PROCEDURE
Remove distributor cap and rotor. 1.
Turn the ignition key to the ‘ON’ position. Do not try starting the engine.2.
Turn the Rev-Limit dial clockwise until it stops. Turn the dial counterclockwise until it 3.
stops. A slow blinking of the LED indicates that the setting procedure has been initialized and that the Rev-Limit can be set.
Turning the dial clockwise sets the Rev-Limit. After turning the dial, pause and watch 4.
the LED for verification of the Rev-Limit setting. Long flashes indicate 1000 RPM’s
and short flashes indicate 100 RPM’s. For example, 6 long flashes followed by 2 short
flashes means the Rev-Limit is 6200 RPM’s. Continue turning the Rev-Limit dial until
the desired Rev-Limit is reached.
NOTE: Leaving the Rev-Limit dial in the full counterclockwise position disables
the Rev-Limiter.
Let the LED sequence thru at least three complete cycles. This verifies the correct set-5.
ting and prepares the unit for permanent storage of the Rev-Limit.
Turn the ignition key off, this signifies to the Ignitor III that the Rev-Limit procedure is 6.
complete. Note: The Ignition key MUST be turned off or the engine will not start.
Your rev limit is now set and will not change until you go through this procedure again. 7.
Re-install cap and rotor.8.
NOTE: Setting the rev limit may be done effectively and easily on a bench or table.
Connect the module to a 9-volt battery as shown in figure 2. Then follow the setting
procedure outlined above.
9 Volt
Battery
+
-
Figure 2
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