Choosing best pointless ignition for M38

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 7:36 am

So I am thinking of converting my 1951 M38, original 24 volt, to an pointless ignition system. I've sifted through all the posts here and see that there are a few types of pointless ignition systems. Just wanted to see what the consensus is. Thanks in advance for the help.

The drop in with no conversion...
- M-Series Rebuild LLC has 24-volt units for $155.00 each + $12.00 shipping & insurance. http://www.mseriesrebuild.com/services.htm
Thiers look like this...

Summit racing has the pertronix unit for $139.97. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-mv-141a . Theirs look similar to the M-Series Rebuild LLC type.
These look much easier to install, but cost more than the late 151 distributer below.

The M151 ignition conversion type...
- the early 151 Prestolite system (which is much harder to find) which is also a straight drop in for an M38 distributor application

- the late swiss M151 distributor, Erik's Military and Industrial Surplus has them for $50. http://eriksmilitarysurplus.com/m1sostigki57.html. This of course requires cutting a notch in the distributor for proper timing.

Here's one that will explain the notch issue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4XAcYvVJQs

The posts that help me out...
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... pic&t=3306
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... ight=solid
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... c&start=15
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t= ... f83d81c4c0

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 7:52 am

Hi Paul,
I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will chime in but if you are going through that many points and condensers it suggests to me another problem. Granted,
certain aftermarket coils have a bad reputation but you should not be
smoking points. That suggests to me another problem that going your route
wont fix and you may begin seeing problems elsewhere.

Also. Not nitpicking but what you are talking about as a replacement is not
electronic ignition but pointless ignition.

Electronic ignition has a computer at the center of the business which controls
nearly all aspects of the ignition. Modern vehicles use electronic ignition and I'm sure you couldn't get into that for 150 bucks.

There's nothing wrong with pointless ignition but there is a big difference
between the two terms.

There are a lot of folks running the factory setup and before I'd spend money
for the pointless setup I'd make sure that everything is performing as it
should.

Just my two cents.

Take care,

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:06 am

Here's a post with some info on burning up points:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... ing+points

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:08 am

Brain, thanks for the reply. I guess I may have over exaggerated the rate that I'm going through points and condensers. Its been about a year or less on the points. I got frustrated as I was out driving around Saturday and the engine running got worse and worse and she finally died on me before I made it home. It was my fault for not having an extra set of points and condenser with me. I got home, thanks to a tow, and changed the points. She's running much better now. Because of this I stated looking to into what other options there are out there. Many of the guys here seem to have been running these pointless ignition for years without any issues.

Also thanks for the clarification on the electronic ignition but pointless ignition. I want to make sure I'm using the right terminology. I updated it in my original post.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:24 am

That's a nice looking vehicle Paul

And thanks for including your photo page link in your address.

I wish everyone did.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:40 am

M Series rebuilds & Pertronics are the same unit.

The early Prestolite is the easiest military system to install.

It's a common thing for modern day enthusiast's to have a great disdain for the point type systems. They require attention at least once a year or once every 5,000 miles whichever comes first. This means checking gaps, checking timing and testing capacitors/condensers. For you younger folks that grew up without point type ignition systems i can see why you dislike being bothered and don't care to learn the proper maintenance techniques used with these old systems. Maybe for you the newer pointless systems are the answer. I was raised with the points and never had a tough time keeping them in good running order. If you must go in this direction I would suggest skipping the middle men like M Series Rebuilds and go directly to the source Pertronics. Their catalog doesn't get you to the correct setup very easily.

For those that want to just get on top of their points try some careful reading of all the published data that is already available for this ancient system. Remember, cheap equals "you get what you pay for" when you shop parts. Cheap points with cheap metal composition and weak springs will not last long. Same with capacitors/condensers.

And don't forget to inspect the distributor housing carefully for broken or worn post insulators, rotted wires that short out intermittently and overheated coils that get that way because you thought the vacuum vent system was unnecessary.

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jun 27, 2016 12:35 pm

Wes I sent you a PM.

Paul

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:59 am

I think I going to go with the pertronix pointless ignition in my M38, part # MV-141A. When I look through the pertronix catalog, one of the footnotes mentions "not for use with solid core spark plug wires". I have original type spark plug wires in my M38, so I assume these are solid core? If so, can I not use this with the original type plug wires? I have searched through the posts on the G and here, and a few posts said it wouldn't be an issue if the original type plug wires were used.

So for anyone that has already installed this pointless system what plug wires did you use? Also do I have to adjust the gaps on the plug?

Thanks for the help...

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:57 am

Note what the notes say:

66 24-volt system
67 Mil-Spec Waterproof Ignition
79 Not for use with solid core spark plug wires

67 approves use with the stock waterproof ignition leads these have a very thin spiral metal core.
79 refers to the old stainless or copper stranded wire leads.

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 11:29 am

Thanks Wes, I just wanted to verify.