77 Scout II ignition

[CKSCOUT77]

Looking to replace ignition system and get rid of the gold box. Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of new system i should put in?

[Allan E.]

Easiest swap: Part number HO-181. I think summit sells it for about 140 bucks. Don't know who else carries it.

Finding another distributor might be another way. All 304/345/392 distributors from light line stuff (pickups, travelalls, scouts) are interchangeable. The ones from Loadstars sometimes have governors in them that have to be disabled, but they work okay.

[LoneStarScout]

depending on how much you want to spend, a DUI (Davis Unified Ignition)dizzy is an option. It's an all in one deal, but expensive.

the DUI is basically a GM HEI modified for our IH engines. You can get internals and modules at any local parts store. It will replace all of your exsisting ignition system, from the Gold Box to your distributor to your coil.

I'm waiting on mine to arrive. Dependability is worth a lot to me, so I don't mind spending the cash for something that will last and keep me driving my Scout more than leaning over the hood of it.

[CKSCOUT77]

Does the HO-181 pertronix replace the gold box?

[Allan E.]

Does the HO-181 pertronix replace the gold box?

It actually replaces the pickup and incorporates the gold box into the distributor where the points would be, if memory serves, just like the replacements for the prestolite module and points distributor.

I just carry a spare gold box and pickup, or else a spare distributor, because I am cheap, and because I have done so many engine swaps over the years that I ended up with a few trail spares for the fleet.

Naturally, I forget to transfer the trail spare stuff on the trip I need it most. So it goes.

[lotero]

Does the HO-181 pertronix replace the gold box?

i installed a pertronix on my scout today and now it wont start, do i still need to have the gold box in the loop for it to work? if so whats the point of the pertronix?? FYI my scout is a rock buggy and runs on propane, i am very close to ripping every wire out and starting from scratch, keep in mind that i only have wiring for ignition switch, charging and electric fan, no gauges or creature comforts. can i just hook the black petronix wire to the negative side of the coil, red one to the positive and a wire from there to my ignition switch/push button for 12v??? thanks

[Allan E.]

i installed a pertronix on my scout today and now it wont start, do i still need to have the gold box in the loop for it to work? if so whats the point of the pertronix?? FYI my scout is a rock buggy and runs on propane, i am very close to ripping every wire out and starting from scratch, keep in mind that i only have wiring for ignition switch, charging and electric fan, no gauges or creature comforts. can i just hook the black petronix wire to the negative side of the coil, red one to the positive and a wire from there to my ignition switch/push button for 12v??? thanks

If you installed a pertronix, no, you do not have to have the gold box in the loop. You do have to have the magnetic pickup gapped properly, and it has to be the one for the pertronix. The Holley pickup won't trigger it.

You need to verify your (+) source for the pertronix is on during the START cycle, though, and not just during the RUN cycle. How you describe it is correct.

[lotero]

ok so if i run the red wire on the petronix straight to the positive side of the coil and a wire directly from there to my 12v on/off switch and the black wire on the petronix to the negative side of the coil, it should theoretically start? this is how i have it setup and it doesnt start. i did pull a plug wire and plugged it into a spark plug and it is sparking. could it be a timing issue?

also, there is a positive 12v to the positive and negative sides of the coil when i turn the toggle to on, and i can hear the petronix buzz.

[Allan E.]

If you have the voltage from the KEY switch, you may not be getting power to the unit when you are trying to start. It's two different circuits.

In the old ponts systems, there was a terminal labeled "R" from the solenoid to the points to give you 12 volts to the coil when starting. The key switch actually turned the RUN circuit OFF at that time.

Check to see if there is power from the unit when you crank.

Use a DWELL meter or a TACH to see if you are getting pulses to the coil.

[lotero]

ahh ok that makes sense thank you sir.

[txchigger1]

had the basic problems - brought one out of moth balls - after fuel system cleaned, oil change etc .. it fired right up - drove around block twice turned it off then next morn nothing- holly dist. gold box system- replaced gold box - coil and cond - rotor dist cap plugs wires - no spark from dist to plugs -went with the pertronix ho181 - still no spark to plugs - have fire from coil -but not through plug wires - can you offer any help
thanks

[Allan E.]

had the basic problems - brought one out of moth balls - after fuel system cleaned, oil change etc .. it fired right up - drove around block twice turned it off then next morn nothing- holly dist. gold box system- replaced gold box - coil and cond - rotor dist cap plugs wires - no spark from dist to plugs -went with the pertronix ho181 - still no spark to plugs - have fire from coil -but not through plug wires - can you offer any help
thanks

If it comes out of the coil, but not out of the cap, it's the cap and/or rotor or the wires.

[txchigger1]

i have replaced cap-rotor-wires - is it possible the HO 181 pertronix sensor or magnet is defective could i have burn them up while in stalling - wired direct coil - also only have one wire going to coil from ignition switch shows 12 volt when switch is on - held test light to neg side of coil while cranking would not flash - also we replaced ground wire from engine block to chassis - does the coil have to be ground to engine - i know it has to be some thing simple but can not figure it out thanks

[redhead_823]

If it sparks at all, pertronix and coil are working. The problem is the cap/rotor/wires. Check the continuity of the wires. Try plugging a spark plug wire directly to the coil and see if that will spark. If that works, the problem is in the cap/rotor like Allan said.