Has anyone out there converted their 2.0 motor to Pertronix electronic ignition only to have the engine develop a rough idle? I have done exactly this, and yesterday I was over at Apintonuts house and he had the same complaint. Is this a known problem with 2.0 pertronix systems? Any cure for it? I have played with idle speed, idle mixture, and timing, and I can't get this rouhg idle to go away. I still need to double check compression and valve adjustment, but this just feels like an ignition problem.
Thanks!
I instaled in a 2.3 never had a problem. Maybe recheck gap. Fast missing is ignition slower mis is valves, rings etc. Fred :)
Thanks Fred. I have tried the plugs gapped at the stock .035 and at .045, still has a rough idle. .045 runs a touch smoother but I have a loss in power and a big loss in mileage.
Just thought i would update this post if anyone cares.
I think I solved my problem. I regapped the plugs to the factory .035 and checked my timing again. BINGO!! Somehow the timing got up to about 20 BTDC base timing. I think I know what happened though. When I first installed the Pertronix, my timing was very retarded. I advanced it back to the correct 6BTDC for my motor. But now the timing became too advanced. I am thinkning that for some reason the Pertronix adjusts itself or has to be "broken in" and this changes the timing from the initial install. I just took it for a short drive and it is MUCH smoother now. I was able to lower my idle as well.
So if anyone else has this problem, double check your base timing after driving the car for a few days.
I am bringing this back to life since I still have a slightly rough idle.
I was reading through my factory shop manual as I watched TV tonight and saw that the FSM says if you don't clean out the crankcase ventilation system periodically it will cause a rough idle. Hmmmmmm. Definitely something to look at.
Anyone ever cleaned out their crankcase vent on a 71 2.0 motor?
Thanks.
It could be something as simple as the rotor or the distibutor cap. I have a Pertronix in my 73 wagon and the only time it had a rough idle was when the cap got old and the carbon inside of it was allowing the spark to jump around in there at idle. I replaced the cap and rotor and the problem was gone. Haven't had any problems since (40,000 miles).
Thanks. The cap and rotor were installed by the previous owner, but they look fairly new. I will add them to the list of maintenance items to be replaced though.