One more thing to check

[Pat]

Last weekend the '40 was uncharacteristically hard to start when warm. So after I drove home and once things in the engine bay cooled, I pulled the distributor to find my very fried Petronix ignition chip. Not only was the inside of the distributor scorched but I also discovered the coil was covered in oil. Apparently a hole had rubbed in it where it was in contact with the block. I think that may have had something to do with the cooked chip. The early Petronix can also fry if the ignition is left on for too long without the engine discharging the spark.
I replaced with the newer Ignitor II and coil and she’s back in action.
Suggestion, check your coil for rubs or leaks. The chip you save may be your own.

What was amazing to me is that the thing ran at all.

 

[Jimmy P]

Good Catch Pat. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Randy V]

Yes Pat, when the coil overheated for lack of oil, it took out the Pertronix I bet... Good find indeed!

 

[Pat]

I think you're correct on both counts Randy. I replaced the system with the II Ignitor and coil. The new coil is shorter which solves my block-contact problem.
The only issue I'm wrestling with now is whether the MSD Heli-Core ignition wires which are solid conductor that is wound around a glass inner core will cause issues as the Ignitor II instructions say don't use solid core wires. It's hard to believe they are not compatible.

 

[Randy V]

I don't think you have a thing to worry about Pat. MSD doesn't sell spark plug wires that are incompatible with their ignition systems and coils. IE the only type of plug wire you cannot use with an electronic ignition system is solid "metal" core wires.. The wires you have are just fine as they are not metal core.
Matter of fact, it's been a good 20 years or so since I have even seen a solid metal core wire on the market - I think they may be hard to find if you were wanting to use them for some reason.

 

[Dylan]

Randy is correct. About the worst you can do with wires these days is get some that destroy your radio reception. I didn't see an antenna on your car, so....

 

[Pat]

That's a relief! Thanks for the help gentlemen.
One of the best things about this forum is the insight and shared knowledge. And so far the '40 has no audio other than its smallblock