gold box elimination
- Thread starter IHCrawler
- Start date
IHCrawler
Member
I have always thought they are both control modules but I have heard conflicting info on whether the ho 181 replaces the module or is just a new pickup. I believe it replaces the box but want to be sure before purchase. I might just get another gold box I found them new for $60. What do you recommend?
Michael Mayben
IHPA Tech Moderator - Retired & No Longer Online
The pertronix p/n ho-181 is a special adaptation of the pertronix pod so that it is a direct replacement for the gold box pickup in the oem distributor. Same for the mag trigger wheel, it fits over the oem gold box reluctor.
The actual "gold box" is eliminated from the entire system. It is no longer necessary or used at all. It disappears.
The wiring hookup for the ho 181 is somewhat different than the wiring callout used for most other pertronix modules. That is because the gold box was used between the ignition switch and coil, a completely different scenario as compared to simply dropping a pertronix p/n 1481 into a Holley distributor to serve as a replacement for the breaker points and condenser.
I've done several of these conversions and they work flawlessly.
A service part replacement "gold box" is readily available ihon has 'em in stock as does most any decent auto parts can get 'em overnight if not on the shelf.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a gold box system other than the way that IH mounted the box itself. It's located in the hottest portion of the engine bay!
Sometimes, if the gold box is simply "intermittent" after a spell of operation, just mounting it on a heat sink and placing it in the air stream (say on the front side of the core support) will bring it to life and it will then last forever.
The actual gold box trigger system inside the distributor rarely fails unless some dumazz starts trying to scruu with the oem wiring in an incorrect fashion, or attempts to "hot wire" the ignition system inna "theft mode".
The actual "gold box" is eliminated from the entire system. It is no longer necessary or used at all. It disappears.
The wiring hookup for the ho 181 is somewhat different than the wiring callout used for most other pertronix modules. That is because the gold box was used between the ignition switch and coil, a completely different scenario as compared to simply dropping a pertronix p/n 1481 into a Holley distributor to serve as a replacement for the breaker points and condenser.
I've done several of these conversions and they work flawlessly.
A service part replacement "gold box" is readily available ihon has 'em in stock as does most any decent auto parts can get 'em overnight if not on the shelf.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a gold box system other than the way that IH mounted the box itself. It's located in the hottest portion of the engine bay!
Sometimes, if the gold box is simply "intermittent" after a spell of operation, just mounting it on a heat sink and placing it in the air stream (say on the front side of the core support) will bring it to life and it will then last forever.
The actual gold box trigger system inside the distributor rarely fails unless some dumazz starts trying to scruu with the oem wiring in an incorrect fashion, or attempts to "hot wire" the ignition system inna "theft mode".