need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

[wolfantry88]

I pulled off my distro cap and sanded the points to get the corrosion off. When i went to put wires back on it wont start now. i tried both order sequences on cap and all i get is back fires and no ignition. can anyone help?

 

[cr2k]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

I am wondering why you pulled the wires off. Usually that is not needed, but then I don't know how your engine is stuffed in your boat.

The rotation is clockwise from the top. I guess you need to find #1 TDC on the compression and pull the cap and see where the rotor is pointing. Start with #1 wire there. To be sure you know which cylinder is #1 and so on?

6
. 5
4
. 3
2
. 1

front of engine

 

[Bondo]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

I pulled off my distro cap and sanded the points to get the corrosion off.

Ayuh,... Mercruiser hasn't used Points since the late 70s...

Donno what you've got...

The Manuals are available up i the Adults Only section of this forum,... Have a Look...

 

[wolfantry88]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

thanks for the replies. i took wires off cap so i could take it out and sand all the points to get the corrosion off. yeah i know now that was a bad idea. and i should have marked everything but guess i was in too much of a hurry to get it done before dark. i found the manual and will try and find the tdc of 1 as well. ill post when complete. thanks again.

 

[Don S]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

Click here to download the manual for your engine. Then go to section 4B. There you will find all the informtion you need to get the plug wires back on correctly.
You first have to find #1TDC ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE and determine at which terminal your distributor rotor is pointing too. That will be #1.
From there you install the rest of the wires in the proper order.

Bondo, I think he meant the points on the distributor cap. Personally, when they are that bad, it needs replaced, not sanded.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

Ayuh,... Mercruiser hasn't used Points since the late 70s...

Donno what you've got...

The Manuals are available up i the Adults Only section of this forum,... Have a Look...

I think he meant the terminals in cap, not points

 

[wolfantry88]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

new cap, new rotor, new plug wires, new plugs. wont start. got all wires on right posts (they are labeled) and got everything the way its supposed to be. it turns over, spits a little but thats it, no attemt at all to start. im ready to start beating on it........

 

[Bondo]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

Ayuh,... It takes Fuel, Fire,+ Compression, All at the right Time to run....

Which 1s are you Missing,..??

 

[Black as]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

new cap, I thought you cleaned it the first time around did you decide to buy a new one.

Did you gap the plugs

 

[bomar76]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

You cannot go by the number on the cap
Someone may have pulled the dizzy at some point and #1 is no longer where it says it is on the cap.
Pull #1 plug, put your finger over the hole and manually turn engine till you feel compression trying to blow your thumb off.
That is the piston coming up on TDC
Turn slowly till the 0 mark on timing tab aligns with harmonic balancer.
Stop.
Remove cap and see what terminal rotor is pointing to
THAT is where wire #1 should be
Move spark plug wire #1 to that terminal
The firing order will progress from that terminal

 

[wolfantry88]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

your exactly right. jammed rag in the number 1 and waited for it to blow out. then realigned wires accordingly and woala its good now. took it out thursday and ran pretty good. a little stuttering at low/mid throttle then it kicks in and runs great. thanks for all the help.

 

[bomar76]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

Thought that was a problem.

Now fix that fuel problem.....and you will be good to go!

 

[wolfantry88]

Re: need help 1995 4.3 mercruiser distributor

yeah in the manual i read to reset the throttle advance and airfuel screws so that should hopefully be easy.