Pertronix Install

[Harry]

I am installing the Pertronix 91864LA and the Flamethrower II in my 1966 230SL.  The prior coil has a wire going to the negative terminal that runs into a capacitor looking device.  On the other end of this device there is a braided ground running to the block where the PS Fluid Pump reservoir is secured to the block.  My question is what is the capacitor looking device?  It wasn't apparent to me on the wiring diagram.

Thanks,
Harry

[teahead]

Picture?

[mdsalemi]

A photo would help.

The only capacitor I know of is the one mounted to the side of the distributor that protects the points.

You may be referring to the ceramic ballast resistor? Looks like photo here?

When I installed my Pertronix this was no longer needed. However I left it in and used one end as a tie point.

[BobH]

This sounds like a capacitor/suppressor installed when the car was ordered with a radio, to stop interference

I don't know if it's still required, i would think it is.  Having said that i think plenty of owners have changed coils and not reconnected it, perhaps try it without and see if it affects the radio.  I wouldn't get rid as it sounds like it's original

I just checked the option codes, and you could order the radio suppression kit, even if you didn't order the radio

[Harry]

Thanks. Radio suppression sounds right.  I'll test.  (Car does have a radio.)

[rwmastel]

Post a pic to be sure.  Worth a thousand words and bla bla bla.

[Harry]

Update.  All installed and working great!  So, I have a couple of points on the install for others, based on my experience.
- Be sure to begin by documenting or photographing connections to the distributor, coil and ballast resistor.  You’ll need to restore many of those, especially on the input side of the resistor.
- Be sure that the Pertronix magnetic collar is fully down on the distributor shaft.  Pertronix says this is a partial interference fit and I thought mine was seated, but it wasn’t.  This resulted with the rotor button sitting too high and contacting the distributor cap.
And BTW, the capacitor looking device !asked about earlier, that is grounded through a braided wire, actually connects to the positive side of the coil!  (I recognized this from a photo I had taken.). Also, I used a new Igniter II coil in my installation, removing the connection from the ballast output to the coil.

Harry