The only HEI I would contemplate using would be the old GM HEI w/Vacuum Advance

[TWChamp]

I also like my stock points, and my Studes fire right up and run smooth.
A drop of oil on the pivot post, and a dab of points cam lube on the rubbing block, and you're good for many years.

[GrumpyOne]

The new Pertronix units no longer fail if you leave the ignition on for more than 30 seconds. In fact, I let the ignition on in my '55 recently and did not discover it for 2 days. The battery was completely dead. I jump started it and she came right back to life. The Pertronix worked perfectly. I really like these units for their reliability and cost. Plus, they're nearly undetectable to the casual observer.
Not to detract from the HEI units. I am sure they are perfectly fine. I just wanted to clear up the misconception about the failure risk mentioned above on the Pertronix units.

What distributor are you using in the '55? I assume that it's been converted to 12 volts, yes?

Looking at the options for my '55 Prez State sedan...

[StudeRich]

You do not have to convert the whole Car to 12 Volt, Pertronix makes a Positive Ground 6 Volt unit for the Early Delco Dist. you should have in your '55 Pres. just call Phil Harris at Fairborn Studebaker.

[Commander Eddie]

What distributor are you using in the '55? I assume that it's been converted to 12 volts, yes?

Looking at the options for my '55 Prez State sedan...

I would have to look but it is the original distributor that came in the car. I think it is a Delco. It is 6v positive ground bumped to 8v positive ground. I installed a Pertronix unit that is set to work with a 6v positive ground system. I can get the part number for you if you want. You can also call the company, tell them what you need and they will be happy to give you the correct part number and/or send you the correct item.
I just put the points that were removed into the box the Pertronix came out of and put it in the trunk in case I ever need them.

[64V-K7]

I would have to look but it is the original distributor that came in the car. I think it is a Delco. It is 6v positive ground bumped to 8v positive ground. I installed a Pertronix unit that is set to work with a 6v positive ground system. I can get the part number for you if you want. You can also call the company, tell them what you need and they will be happy to give you the correct part number and/or send you the correct item.
I just put the points that were removed into the box the Pertronix came out of and put it in the trunk in case I ever need them.

http://www.studebaker-info.org/Tech/Ignition/Pertronix/Pertronix1217.jpg

[Commander Eddie]

Bob, yes. That is the one I purchased. I remembered the part number when I saw the list you sent the link for above. Great product. Well worth the money, which is not much. Even for a CASO.

[tomhoo]

The Delco "window Distributor" is perhaps the best OEM single point distributor ever made. Too bad Studebaker didn't use them exclusively for non R-series engines.

However, the DP Presto simply made more power for me - I never determined why and just kept running the DP.

[PackardV8]

The Delco "window Distributor" is perhaps the best OEM single point distributor ever made. Too bad Studebaker didn't use them exclusively for non R-series engines.

However, the DP Presto simply made more power for me - I never determined why and just kept running the DP.

I'd say, the Delco window has the easiest points adjustment ever made. The rest of it, not so much.

As to dual points making more horsepower, that's why the additional expense and complexity exists.

jack vines

[tomhoo]

I'd say, the Delco window has the easiest points adjustment ever made. The rest of it, not so much. ...

What are these weak points? The shaft bushings, breaker plate, and centrifugal advance didn't seem have any problems for me although I did shim out shaft end play which I wouldn't call a weak point. The Autolites and Prestolites never impressed me. The DP Presto had a terrible centrifugal advance design.

[PackardV8]

What are these weak points? The shaft bushings, breaker plate, and centrifugal advance didn't seem have any problems for me although I did shim out shaft end play which I wouldn't call a weak point. The Autolites and Prestolites never impressed me. The DP Presto had a terrible centrifugal advance design.

In my experience, the earlier Delco with the advance mechanism down under the point plate are inherently more stable than the advance being up on top. Just a matter of leverage.

jack vines

[RadioRoy]

I have to weigh in on the Pertronix bad press on earlier units. They failed if one left the ignition on for too long a time without starting the engine. In my experience, everyone who knows cars, knows NOT to leave the ignition on without starting the car. That's what the accessory position is for - listening to the radio and such.

So it shouldn't have been an issue anyway. We shouldn't fault Pertronix because the driver was dumb.

[PackardV8]

I have to weigh in on the Pertronix bad press on earlier units. They failed if one left the ignition on for too long a time without starting the engine. In my experience, everyone who knows cars, knows NOT to leave the ignition on without starting the car. That's what the accessory position is for - listening to the radio and such.

So it shouldn't have been an issue anyway. We shouldn't fault Pertronix because the driver was dumb.

Roy, we'll have to agree to completely disagree on this point. You work with electrical components. You know sometimes fault-tracing and/or installing new wiring harnesses or new components often require leaving power to the circuits for a reasonable period of time. Turning on the key to power the circuit, the first generation Pertronix would melt and release the magic smoke within less than a minute. Catastrophic failure within normal use is unreasonable and unacceptable in any consumer product. And no, they wouldn't warranty the failures. There were so many complaints and such bad press, Pertronix sales nearly stopped until they re-engineered it to be able to withstand normal use.

jack vines

[Commander Eddie]

I have to weigh in on the Pertronix bad press on earlier units. They failed if one left the ignition on for too long a time without starting the engine. In my experience, everyone who knows cars, knows NOT to leave the ignition on without starting the car. That's what the accessory position is for - listening to the radio and such.

So it shouldn't have been an issue anyway. We shouldn't fault Pertronix because the driver was dumb.

Roy, the problem I had with my first Pertronix unit years ago was because I was having my '50 Commander re-wired and the technician turned the key on to test some circuits or connections. He left the key on for about 4 or 5 minutes and then turned it off. He had no idea that he had fried the electronic ignition until he went to start the car the first time and it would not start.
That sort of scenario could happen now and then. I learned when purchasing a new unit for my '55 President that this problem had been addressed by the company. I then learned for myself this was indeed the case when I accidentally left the key on when I was checking lights. As they say, stuff happens.

[kxet]

Had a chevvy van with HEI> Previous owner had replaced engine and had a rebuilt distributer. Had to replace module a few times and I ended up with it. had problem and turned out a screw holding pickup was loose, playing with module would wiggle it enough to work for awhile. Found Pertronix would throw a constant spark in ignition was on and battery was hooked to a battery charger.

[RadioRoy]

Well, I have to admit that I wasn't thinking of troubleshooting wiring with the ignition on. I was thinking/blaming idiots listening to the radio with the engine off. So I will not cling to my opinion, and will thank you Jack and Eddie for enlightening me.

Still... what circuits are live on the "ON" position that are not on with the "ACC" position, besides the distributor and the gauges? When I rewire, I put the gauges on the "ACC" position, so the only thing that is added with the switch "ON" is the distributor.

Is it possible that many of these failures could have been avoided if the person working on the car was aware of the weakness in the early Pertronix system?

I think that all of mine are the early types - even on a car I just sold. How would I tell? Are they marked somehow?