Points Gap - Mercruiser 170?

[BertoBuckeye]

Hello all,
I am doing a tune-up on the ol' boat. What is the right way to set the points gap? What is the spec for a Mercruiser 170(anyone with a manual help?) Is there anywhere I can download the manual from?

Thanks in advance!

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Points Gap - Mercruiser 170?

oops! and I just did his 140 merc today. Bump the starter until the points are open as wide as they get and set them somewhere around 17 to 20 ish. Don't have the exact numbers as we did ours by eye but I think they are all around the same. If you find at higher revs it won't run smooth open them up a wee bit more. If you want to be exact it shouldn't be hard to find the specs using the search function. Just noticed it was your first post, Welcome to iboats.

 

[gypsysoul]

Re: Points Gap - Mercruiser 170?

I was looking through my library of manuals. I know I have the service manual for that some where. I will look again tomorrow. gapping points is an acceptable way of setting points. I preffer to use a dwell meter. it is a little more accurate than gapping points. and dwell meters are pretty inexpensive. if i find that book in the daylight i will post both gap and dwell settings. I had a friend who was not to bright ask me how wide to gap the points on his old harley. as he did not have a set feeler gauges i suggested that a dime was about the right thickness. he called latter to say he still could not get it to run. I asked if had set the points with a dime like I said, he said he did not have a dime and had used two nickels! lol that is a old joke.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Points Gap - Mercruiser 170?

I think I saw the gap listed as .022 last night. It is on the site so a quick search will get it. A match book folded in 2 will get you there or was it cigarette package card board??? Maybe it was a credit card ? haha Can't remember all the old tricks cause it's been so long since we fooled around with points, but oops! boat is running strong and at the time thats all that matters.

 

[Don S]

Re: Points Gap - Mercruiser 170?

Go up to the Adults only sticky at the top of this forum. There is a link there for downloading OEM Mercruiser service manuals. You will need manual #8 for your engine and #6 for your outdrive.

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oops! and I just did his 140 merc today. Bump the starter until the points are open as wide as they get and set them somewhere around 17 to 20 ish. Don't have the exact numbers as we did ours by eye but I think they are all around the same.

Two completely diffent engines, you guys have a 3.0L GM engine, he has the 3.7 (aka 470) Mercruiser engine. I sure hope you plan on setting the dwell and resetting the timing. They run so much better when set properly.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Points Gap - Mercruiser 170?

They sure were simple back then, a dollar bill to clean them, a matchbook to set them and off you went.Twist the dist one way till it ran rough, back the other way untill rough and then split the difference.