The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

[Showtime22]

I am having issues with my new electronic ignition.

I have a 1981 Mercruiser 260. (Chevy 350)

I recently installed a Pertronix Ignitor-1 module and the recommended flamethrower coil.

With the Pertronix ignition the boat only seems to have 3/4 power. Not enough to plane out. The weird thing is that if I let off and let the wave rear end the boat, then hit the throttle, the boat will rev much higher and plane....

I ran a full 12 volt fused wire from the key switch, and timed the engine after the install to 8 Degrees BTDC. I also checked the wires for the right firing order and all seems in order. The boat ran 100% with points but after a hard start due to dirty contacts I decided to change to Pertronix.

I have done some deep reading and have heard about the possiblity of the Pertronix Phazing and the module needing to be moved from the magnet ring....
Could this be my problem or what else can I check?

Thanks,

 

[WizeOne]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

My experience suggests that Pertronix may have a phasing issue. It certainly did in my case. I only discovered it by accident when I noticed a rotor track on the inside wall of the distributor cap, well below the bottom of the cylinder contact studs.

This in and of itself was not a Pertronix issue but in trying to diagnose the issue I discovered that my rotor was firing near onto the next cylinder contact stud.

I cut a hole in the top of the distributor cap over the number one cylinder contact lug, then marked the top of the rotor strap with a white paint pen. I then hooked up the timing lite to the number one spark plug and shined the lite down thru the hole. You could plainly see that it was firing way late.

I had the correct Pertronix unit for my distrib but Pertronix tech did not have a clue. I had to figure it out and fix it myself.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

I tried the pertonix in my "470", never could get the timing right, ran fine but very hard to start. Got rid of the pertonix, kept the Flamethrower, with the points, and runs just great.

 

[Showtime22]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

WizeOne -

If I do dremel a slot in the cap -

How would you suggest I set the timing or lock the cap down if I see the #1 firing is off. Move the distributor until the firing is right over the contact? - or a hair before to simulate 8* BTDC.

Then I think I'd be time for a new cap.

 

[rbh]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

hey there-
here is a couple of thoughts. first did you pull the distributor, could you be a tooth out? as well the neighbour suggested that I should try and time my 260 merc by adjusting it on the water at approx half throttle as that would be a constant load simalir? to a dino run, adjust slowley till motor starts to pings and back off. According to him you should feel the boats max power? just be careful! I have not tried this one
rob

 

[Showtime22]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

I did not take the distributor out of the motor to install the ignitor. So I am under the impression that it should still be in the right place.

I have messed with the timing on the water. It does improve the boats power, however if I shut it off then I need to adjust the distributors timing back to get it to start.

I have a basic timing light, that does not have the advance adjustment. I am not sure how the advance works on my distributor since it does not have a vacuum unit on the side. It has some parts under the points which I believe are a centrifugal advance...I have also read that the pertronix controls the advance.

One thing I have learned - My distributor needs to be tight in order to start. I had it just loose enough to move and it wouldn't start. I went nuts until I read that it needs to be tight. I tightened it one thread and it fired right up.

 

[rbh]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

weird stuff?
is there any adlustments that can be made were the unit sits (extra holes?)
I am just thinking that this may be were your couple of degrees may have gone. Is there an advance unit under your cap? could it be stuck, is there a set screw for the unit to long holding the advance open? It sound as if your just a couple of degrees out.
rob

 

[hoot]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

i would consider putting the points, condensor, ...back in and try it to be sure it is the pertronix unit.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

I have to 'jump' a couple of wires on my 3.0L...to put the engine timing in it's base mode. Then I get to set the timing....

Does your engine require a base mode setting?

 

[Showtime22]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

I am no engine timing expert but I think my boat needs 8 Degrees BTDC when its idling.

Today I took off the double grey wire to the coil and just left the black pertronix module wire on the coil negative, and the boat started better then ever. So I am hoping the dirty old double grey wire was hurting the connection. (These grey wires feed the tach and the shift interupt) I have attached the tach wire on the terminal with another nut.

I will probably have it out tomorrow evening to verify.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Showtime22]

Re: The Incredible Wave Catching Pertonix Machine

Solved. It was the weak connection on the negative terminal of the coil.

Finding that drove me ten cats crazy. Thanks for the insight.