8BA Flathead and Pertronix Ignition

[KamikazeTuner]

Hello,
I recently built a MS2 for my 1951 Ford Flathead. I initially just want to run ignition, so that is all I am really worried about now. My question is, how do I set up the ignition table. This will be a daily driver, eventually I will add fuel injectors and tune for power.
SPECS are as follows.
Hardware: MegaSquirt V3.0 Board
Software: MS II Rev 2.905
Engine: 239 cid - 1951 Ford Flathead
Ignition: Pertronix Electronic Ignition Part # 1283 (Stock Distributor)

My MS2 is set up for Direct Coil Control. The only signals I plan to connect (initially) are Pertronix Hall sensor (pin 2 and pin 24), Coil negative (pin 36) and Coolant sensor. Will that be enough to get the car up and running for ignition only? Apart from power and all the grounds?

[Matt Cramer]

That should get it up and running - note that for MS2 to control timing, you'll want to lock out both the vacuum and centrifugal advance. Treat the Ignitor like a set of points.

[KamikazeTuner]

That should get it up and running - note that for MS2 to control timing, you'll want to lock out both the vacuum and centrifugal advance. Treat the Ignitor like a set of points.

Thanks for the advice Matt. I pulled the Vacuum advance and locked down the plate in the distributor. I will be using the Vacuum from the intake to run the MAP sensor built into MS2. Do you have any pointers or links to help me find a good starting point for my ignition maps? I think the default table is set to advance way more than the flathead is originally suppose to.
Another thing I am worried about is the TPS. Will I be OK running without it, and if so, do I need to adjust settings in Tuner Studio for that?

[KamikazeTuner]

Well here's an Update to the progress.
This morning I had the MS2 running great using the JimStim. So then I decided to test my custom made Harness on the bench.
I attached all the wires I am planning to use to the Stim and fired it up. All was good except I wasn't getting an ignition output for my coil.(pin 36)
It was working fine when the Stim was plugged in to the MS2 directly, but not when I was testing the harness. (IGN signal was not firing when I jumped IGN to LED 1.) Somewhere between then and now, I think I fried my JimStim processor cause when I plug it in, the F1 polyfuse and U2 voltage regulator get hot, and then it powers down. I figured that my experiments with a TPS i am planning to install externally may have caused it. I have the TPS wiring squared away now, but at the cost of repairing/ replacing some JimStim components.
I will test on the car tomorrow. I will also post pics of my TPS idea. I think it will work rather well for anyone who wants to keep that traditional look on an old Hot Rod.
I am still lost with how to set up a good timing table, so if anyone can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.

[Matt Cramer]

Often the best starting point is to take a good distributor centrifugal curve and adapt it to a timing table.