<VV> TRR and Pertronix

[Padgett]

Had today off so went to the Daytona Turkey Rod Run (largest car swap meet 
and show in Florida). Hoped to find a few things but struck out with the 
exception of a coil & a good Steak, Onions, and Peppers sandwich

The joke about Australia is that indigenous species are all odd, poisonous, 
or sheep. Well what I found at the TRR were either e$pen$ive, rusty, or 
from China. Sometimes all three. Miles and Miles of it (well over 100 rows 
and am sure I did not see all of it)

Did run into a Pertronix tent and even though I said I would not, bought a 
Flamethrower II coil to go with the Ignitor II. It did seem to make a 
difference. Ran some heavy (don't think 12 ga as recommended since still 
flexible but pretty heavy and still getting a solid 14v to the + terminal 
when running. Did not change the .030" gap on the W8ACs. Booklet said to 
keep stock gap or could open for high performance. Did notice that W8AC 
recommends .024" on carton so .030" is already widened a little.

Started instantly and once warmed up it idled at 600 in Drive for about 10 
minutes before slowing and then stayed smooth and cleaned right up with a 
little gas. Think this is about as good as it is going to get without a 
valve job and probably Good Enough for right now. Am looking for a pair of 
95 hp heads to go through to minimise group red time and be able to run 87 PON.

So suspect the full Petronix treatment is overpowering some of the problems 
caused by 74,000 unknown miles (think things like this are part of the 
reason modern engines can go 200,000 miles or better with minimal care).

Do think the Chevrolet engineers did the best job they could with what was 
available at the time, just have nothing against adding modern technology 
to improve on it.

Also covered the hole in the shroud below the coil with some scrap from an 
oil filter can while I had it off and ignition components do seem to be 
running cooler now.

Next step is a new idler and will be able to drive again instead of just 
idling in the garage door with a pipe extension. That will tell the tale.

Padgett