Odd Dizzy failure!

[TulsaSpider]

I had switched my points dizzy to an electronic unit on from my 79 parts car, I replaced the pickup and cleaned it all up nice. Installed it and it ran great. I have two problems one very odd one. I was driving down the highway about 11PM heading to my favorite club and the Spider was running really fantastic then suddenly I hear a pop and it began running very poorly and I could hear other electrical sounding popping noise. I pulled off and limped to a lit parking lot, popped the hood and there was a big hole in my dizzy cap.

WTF? right?
I pulled the cap off and this is what I found...

Note that the metal part on the top of the rotor is gone! It apparently came off and broke the cap.
Luckily I have a friend who is an insomniac and my kids were at home so I had my friend bring me my points dizzy and got it home. Not the way I wanted to spend that Sat. night!

My other issue is the pigtail kept coming loose from the coil/module where it connects. I am sure I can figure that out too, but it did freak me out a couple of times. Maybe she just doesn't like the electronic ignition???

[rlux4]

You mean it still ran?! Are these amazing cars, or what? I can see it running on three cylinders, but look at the gap the spark would have to jump.
Ron

[mdrburchette]

You can buy rotors where the metal piece is siliconed or JB welded in place. I had a problem with mine acting irratic when a pop rivet came loose and the metal thingy was moving around. Thankfully I found it before it caused the damage yours did. As for your connector coming loose, can you try using a zip tie to secure them together?

[racydave]

Clark, can you tighten the female end with some pliers? I've never had this problem...

[manoa matt]

Everyone should carry a spare cap, rotor, pickup, control module, and a plug wire in the trunk if you have an electronic distributor. Or cap,rotor, points, condensers and a spare plug wire for the points guys. Its easier to replace a cap than the whole distributor in the dark.

[So Cal Mark]

and a screwdriver to tighten the screws that hold the rotor down, and a voltmeter to diagnose the loss of spark and a cellphone to call AAA, or AA depending on how frustrated you are after a midnight breakdown. And a spare battery for the cellphone. The list goes on and on.
Actually I think it's quite ironic that most owners switch to electronic ignition for the supposed reliabllity in relation to points, then have to carry a complete backup system due to common failures. That factor is why I suggest keeping the dual points intact but switching the system to run on one set. In case of a failure, it takes about 30 seconds to switch the wire to the other set of points and go on your way. With a high output coil, it's a great system and soooo simple (and cheap)

[mdrburchette]

I agree with Mark on this one. I never had as many problems with my points distibutors as with the electronic ones. Replacing points is as simple as replacing that pickup too, so what's the big fuss over this electronic stuff?

[kilrwail]

I had one problem with my single points set-up - 28 years ago. I've carried a spare set of points since then and never had to use them. Here's to simplicity.

[TulsaSpider]

I have had some trouble with the points setup. Back in the day I had a small block Nova and had to replace the points about once a month, so I think maybe that left a bad taste in my mouth. I did replace that dizzy with a Mallory electronic one and it improved my power quite a bit so I was thinking along those lines. I had never heard of a failure like this where the metal on the rotor comes off, just thought I'd share in case anyone wanted to inspect theirs to prevent this kind of trouble.

[htchevyii]

As long as the bearing in the dizzy is good, I'd blame it on crap parts. Someone told me to try and avoid that style of rotor, because of that piece comming off. I also bought a rotor (niehoff brand) that didn't fit all the way down on the dizzy shaft correctly, without modification. The cap on my '72 kept shocking me right thru the cap, it was new and I could find nothing wrong with it, but changed it and it's fine. Wierd thing was the second one was the same brand, but the plastic looked different, (alot duller).

[manoa matt]

I don't suggest everyone cary a spare parts car with them, but the aforementioned parts at the least. And yes, I do carry a screwdriver and a cell phone.

Be it rare, but the points rotors probably have about the same failure rate as the electronic rotors. When that metal clip falls out off the shaft, the rotor will fail, and take the cap with it.

I like the "Set it and forget it" appeal of the electronic setup, and with three years of daily driving I have not had to replace a single electronic ignition component yet, or even touch it, or adjust it.

We'll see what happens when I install the dual carbs, I may just revert back to a points type of guy.

[Pete112]

I have been running a Pertronix Electronic Ignition on my '67 Mustang since 1999. This is the type that fits entirely under the cap - no boxes, unusual wiring, etc. I installed it in the first place because at the time, the Mustang was my daily driver. Everytime it rained, it would run like crap because moisture would get under the cap. After installing the electronic ignition, I never had the problem again. It's literally been 10 years now and I popped the cap for the first time just a few weeks ago. Why? Because I wanted to order the same thing for the Fiat and it's been so long, I wasn't sure of the name!

I received the part but haven't installed yet. I'll post back with the results.