2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

[RussellVA]

I have a 1990 Bayliner Capri with the dredded OMC 2.3L Ford. problem is it keeps burning up points. I bought the boat with a cracked engine block and replaced the engine. I've restored several Fox body mustangs so I know my way around the engine side of the boat. I have never had any experiance around ignition points and shift interuptors. I changed out the engine which was a breeze. I used all the externals from the original boat engine. I had a hard time getting the boat to start up at first. I found that the points were in bad shape. the boat would start but would run rough and shut off after about 30 seconds. I replaced the points and it would start easy and sound great at idle. I took it out on the lake and I couldn't get WOT out of it. After about 10 or 15 min it started missing real bad so I limped it back to shore and put it on the trailer. When I got home it wouldn't start. No fire from coil. so I was thinking since I just replaced the points and condensor the only other thing left was the coil. so I replaced it with the same thing that was on it. A coil that uses external resistor. But I can't find an external resistor. The problem ended up being the points again not the coil. I'm thinking maybe it should be a coil with internal resistor and somebody put the wrong one on before. Is this the right coil and where can I find the resistor block? Also I'm thinking of converting to electronic ignition but I can't find the convertion kit here a iboats. Any help would be appritiated. thank you

 

[gadget73]

Re: 2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

I think these used a resistor wire, not the standard ceramic block resistor. If none of the wires are resistor wires, either add a ballast resistor, or use a coil that doesn't require one.

 

[RussellVA]

Re: 2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

how can I tell if it is using a "resistor wire"? And can I just put on a coil with an internal resistor and use the existing "resistor wire" or do I need to replace the "resistor wire" with plain wire? also can someone tell me what electronic ignition convertion kit I need for this boat with a Mallory distrubutor? iboats don't have a listing for the 2.3L 4cyl. I really don't like this mechanical ignition because it seems to me like to many things can go wrong and give you the same symptoms and that makes it hard for me to diagnose. I guess I'm just not use to it. I like plug and play.

 

[RussellVA]

Re: 2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

can anybody help me find the conversion kit to convert my ignition to electronic. I have a mallory distributor. I went to the marina today and they could not find it either. the best they could do was for a Mallory and a V8. I know I've read here that people have did the conversion on a 2.3L with the Mallory distributor but nobody has listed the part numbers or said where to get it. The one part number I came across wasn't right once I looked it up. it was for daul points. also I'd like to know what I need for the shift interuptor. thanks

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: 2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

Do you have the original identification plate for the engine?

You will need to do some checking to make sure that you have the right stuff.

It sounds like you may have the wrong coil, are missing a ballast resistor or wrong condenser. Some how, somebody has a non OEM combination. You may have forgot to connect the ignition wire to the Resistor on the starter. Double check your wiring job.

I have a Mallory distributor and the points last forever (almost) the condenser goes bad every couple of years.

Congrats on the re power. That takes hands on skills. Now double check the details and you are in like Flinn. Good luck with the rest of the project.

 

[xltier]

Re: 2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

can anybody help me find the conversion kit to convert my ignition to electronic. I have a mallory distributor. I went to the marina today and they could not find it either. the best they could do was for a Mallory and a V8. I know I've read here that people have did the conversion on a 2.3L with the Mallory distributor but nobody has listed the part numbers or said where to get it. The one part number I came across wasn't right once I looked it up. it was for daul points. also I'd like to know what I need for the shift interuptor. thanks

if you change the points over to electronic it MAY mess up your shift interupt switch.i have heard of a way around it,but dont know all the specs.i have got them for mercsruiser thru sierra at our napa store.if iboats dont have them.

 

[Robj]

Re: 2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

Go the Pertronix website. You should be able to get an electronic ignition unit for less than $100. And yes they will work with the shift interupt. There is a mod required but the information on how to is available from Pertronix.

Have a great day

Rob.

 

[gadget73]

Re: 2.3L OMC keeps burning up Points HELP!

If yours uses a resistance wire, its often found between the distributor and the coil itself. It should be marked somehow, but it would also typically be a fatter wire that looks different. If none of this rings a bell, just swap the coil to one thats got an internal resistor and you should be good to go.