You can also use Pertronix Ignitor kit(s) 1761 or 1762, or Ignitor II kit 91761
The only difference between the 1761 kits and the 1762 kits is the size of one of the holes on the base plate (more details below).
These steps below would also be very similar if you were converting an original Water Protection distributor using the Pertronix 1763ls or 91763ls kit(s).
Here is the assortment of parts after I unpacked them:
The distributor itself can be ordered from Helmar (search on "Helmar" and you'll find several links to the product page):
First step is to unclip and remove the cap:
Then pop off the rotor, being mindful of the small metal clip that is used to keep the rotor snug on the distributor shaft (if the clip pops out, just press it back into the socket on the rotor:
Next, remove the two screws that hold the point assembly to the base plate and remove the points:
And remove the two small screws that hold the condensor on the side of the distributor - keep the small white clip that fits in the slot on the distributor body, we'll reuse that later.
Here is everything all laid out after dissassembly:
I should mention that there is a step in the Pertronix instructions to machine a flange on the distributor shaft, but my shaft had no such flange, so I skipped right over this step.
Now it's time to unpack your ignition module:
Here is where we get to the part where the 1762 and 91762 kits differ from the 1761 and 91761. The distributor has a small alignment knob on the baseplate that I am pointing to here with the screwdriver:
And this pin does not align perfectly with the hole in the baseplate on the 1762 and 91762 ignition modules:
So what I did was simply take my die grinder (you could also use a drill) to enlarge this hole until it was large enough to fit over the alignment knob on the distributor baseplate. I mounted the igntion module using the 2 replacement screws from the kit, making sure that the tapered flat screw went in the chamfered mounting hole(Also remember to re-connect the little ground wire) Do not tighten the screws all the way- get them seated, but leave some play in the ignition module plate:
Next, press the reluctor magnet wheel over the step cam on the distributor shaft- The directions do not tell you which way to press it on, so look inside the ring- it should be pressed on with the little flat facets at the top:
After pressing on the reluctor wheel, set the supplied clear gap guage between the wheel and the ignition module. Lightly squeeze the guage between the wheel and the module while you finish tightening the mounting screws:
Now we need to run the two wires. What I did was re-use the little white clip that came with the distributor- there is already a hole in the clip that you can push the wires through, but you have to cut the terminals off the wires first:
Then you can press the wires through the clip, and slide the clip back into the slot on the distributor body, and pull the wires into position behind the ignition module. After you have the wires positioned, you will want to twist the distributor baseplate against the centrifugal springs a couple times to make sure that the wires are not getting crimped, and to make sure that they are not interfering with the timing advance system:
Now you can press the rotor back on and re-install the cap (be sure to remove and toss out that clear gap guage first
:And crimp some new terminals onto the ends of the wires (I was out of eyelet connectors, so I used forks with a little shrink wrap):
If you are using the Pertronix coil ( I bought the 45,000 volt model)- you can make it look more original by peeling off the sticker (but BEWARE all you California Patrolers- the CARB (California Air Research Board) exemption number is located on this sticker, and California law says that ANY non-OEM powertrain part used on a street driven vehicle in California must have this CARB certification number, and removing the CARB number is a violation of California law- so if you peel this sticker off your Pertronix coil, then congratulations- you're a criminal.
The Pertronix coil slides right into the stock coil bracket:
And that's it- the only thing left is to install the distributor and coil in your Patrol, and install a set of NON METAL CORE spark plug wires. (I'll have to post a pic of mine installed in the Patrol tomorrow morning- I ran out of light this evening)
